Stomping Nick & His Blues Grenade

"The blues won't go away, and New Zealand has had its share of aspiring practitioners, but Stomping Nick really does stand out. There's nothing worse than a polite blues, and Jackman's are suitable rude and raw – no effete displays of technique, the cardinal sin often committed in the name of the blues. And yet, rawness doesn't equate with monotony – quite an achievement when you're in a band of one. Perhaps because beneath this music's raw exterior there's no shortage of finesse. Jackman is especially skillful on his harmonica, but his playing throughout this enjoyable album combines just the right measures of abandon and accomplishment." (Nick Bollinger reviewing Punk Blues One Man Band by Stomping Nick & His Blues Grenade, The Sampler 7th December 2010)

Christchurch-based Stomping Nick Jackman is a stylist who has created his own version of the one-man blues band, a tradition that dates back to the shadowy beginnings of the blues itself. Taking as his inspiration the Memphis one-man-bands Joe Hill Louis and Dr. Ross, as well as punk-blues artists like the White Stripes, Jackman unleashes a powder keg of distorted guitar, wailing harmonica and pounding drums, all played live and unaided with nothing but his hands, feet and mouth. At no time does he resort to overdubs, backing tracks, loop pedals, or any of those other fancy tricks. Until you have seen Stomping Nick in action you will struggle to believe it is only one man grinding out this raw trash-boogie.

Harmonica is Stomping Nick's weapon of choice and he weilds it like a blues ninja. A number of influences shape his harmonica style. As well as harp masters like Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Sonny Terry, other influences as diverse as Jimi Hendrix and Appalachian fiddle music can be heard when he gets his jaw swinging. Underpinning the harmonica, Jackman's feet and hands provide a solid rumble of drums and growling guitar to get the people in the groove, while he sings, amongst other things, songs of trains, loose parties, wild women, mythical alcoholic beverages, crimes executed badly, and bastards he has met.

Stomping Nick is supporting Lupus Lunar at the Wunderbar.

Event listed by Stomptec

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