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Auckland’s finest blues trio was formed in 2006. Founded by lead singer/guitarist Phil Roberts, the early life of the band had more than it’s fair share of ups and downs with hirings, firings, a broken arm, a stuffed knee, a broken foot and a keyboard player who didn’t turn up to a gig and was never seen again. This was dubbed the “Los Diablos curse”, since the name means The Devils in Spanish.
The curse aside, Los Diablos were soon playing blistering performances, helped along by blues promoter Dean Morris who said of their first gig “It was awesome! They had a great sound and I took my hat off to them, it showed that they had spent a lot of time on the detail and getting it just right.”
The band spent late 2007 recording 7 tracks for their first EP, aptly named the “Not Cursed” EP. Released in February 08, the EP was picked up by radio stations both in NZ and Australia. For his NZ Music Month special, Nate from The Blues Room (Community Radio Hamilton 106.7FM) interviewed Phil and featured
5 tracks from the EP. Phil and Steve were also interviewed by Simon and Christie on the Crossroads Blues show, Kfm 106.9FM.
The EP’s buzz won them several corporate gigs including the Regional Newspaper Awards night and the 2008 Oggi tennis tournament.
June 08 saw the fellas back British delta blues player Dave Boy Ferry for his New Zealand gigs and in September they were joined by 60s legend: former Procol Harum guitarist Dave Ball for an explosive night
of classic tunes and traded licks.
In August 2009, Los Diablos played at the Waiheke Mid Winter Blues Festival with a huge response with many claiming their performance was the highlight of the weekend and snapping up bagfuls of CDs.
Playing the Whangarei International Blues and Jazz festival in Dec 2009 helped the boys raise their game further: sharing the bill with the likes of Billy TK jnr, Mike Garner and Hammond Gamble. Phil was asked by Mike Garner to guest on his last set on the main stage - an honour Phil was not about to pass up.
2010 kicked off with spurious activity for the band: the Kaukapakapa Rhythm n Blues festival, the Mission Bay Jazz and Blues streetfest, the Belgian Bar in Rotorua then back to Auckland for two support slots with Dave Boy Ferry who was keen to work with the band once again.
Winter sees Los Diablos recording tracks for their new album. Although they’ll be in the studio for most of the cooler months, recording will be interspersed with live performances at key winter festivals: a return to Waiheke for the Mid Winter Blues Festival 2010 and the Parnell International Blues and Jazz festival.
If blistering electric blues is your thing then Los Diablos Blues Band deliver a performance that won't disappoint.Phil Roberts, Glen Child, Steve Sussex & Craig Bracken make up this band who play fiery electric blues which at times reveals shades of Country, RnB and Soul. Influences & covers include Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash & Stevie Ray Vaughan as well as some of their own original material that has been inspired by their gigs with Dave Boy Ferry.
This dynamic band will be playing at the Ohinemuri Club from 7.30 - 10.30pm with a half hour taster during the day at Farmlands from 4.15- 4.45pm.
Put your dancing shoes on and "shake that booty"! |
