Biography

Seasick Steve - Dog House Music

What you really have here is Seasick Steve himself; a real American, trainhopping, jailbirding, cowboying, carnival working, migrant farm picking, occassional tramping, near-fatal heart attack surviving old hobo.

THE REAL DEAL

Steve was invited to leave his home before his 14th birthday. (nuff said!) Having spent many hours listening to stories from the hobos, tramps, and bums who would come by his childhood home asking for work or just a handout; he reckoned he was ready for a life on the rails.

So making up a "bindle" (sleeping roll and some clothes, etc.) and not forgetting his guitar, he headed off into the sunset.

Sound romantic? For the most part it was not! Sleeping ruff. Going hungry. Working for handouts. Eating at the missions. Riding the rails. Playing on street corners, for your small change and MANY a free stay in the county jails of America...and this is the "G" rated version!!!

But then there was those moments...stories told and heard in the "jungle camps"; scraps of old songs picked up. Food for song? You bet!

Seasick Steve’s music is so out of it and old fashioned that it somehow arrives at modern. His audiences have been mainly younger people who are into the Fat Possum sounds of R.L. Burnside or bands like the White Strips.

While doing shows with R.L. Burnside, Steve saw how young audiences went crazy for what he was doing. After playing the kids would come and ask, "what kind of music is this?" Steve replied, "well it’s kinda low down blues and such." Their response was, "we hate blues" but man we love what you do!"

This is what got Seasick Steve out again and doing what he does best - being the pied piper of the low down hobo blues.

(And wait till you see and hear the 3-string trance guitar!!!!)

Charlie Gillett, legendary BBC radio DJ and author of what has become the bible on black music in America, Sound of the City, says Seasick Steve has brought him back to the blues and is the "first blues artist in 20 years to really move him."
Seasick has been a guest on Charlie’s BBC show an amazing 5 times!

He has also been championed by another legend at the BBC, Andy Kershaw and has played live on his show also.

Mark Ellen, The Old Grey Whistle Test presenter, and past editor of Mojo and Q magazine and now editor of Word magazine has featured Steve and included one of his songs on the Word of Mouth CD and has been to almost every show Steve has done in London.

Joe Cushley, past writer for Mojo and now writing for Londons What’s On magazine and London FM Resonance radio DJ has stated simply that "Seasick Steve is probably the greatest live bluesman on the planet" and regularly plays Seasick Steve’s music on his shows. Steve has played live on Joe’s show 8 times.

Seasick’s music was even picked up by Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight playlist and was on Virgin’s overseas flights for 2 months.

"...viciously bottled blues...he sounds like an authentic delta hollerer...cooks up a fervent stink that bleeds to the bone"
Uncut ****

"If Seasick Steve didn’t exist the blues would have to invent him...he captures the grimy sweat-encrusted spirit of the blues, whilst sounding distinctively at odds with anything else in the genre...low-down and dirty, but clear and listenable..."
fROOTS Interview

"The music is as dirty and right as I hoped it would be: all growly vocals and ‘cut the crap’ playing. Just like the live blues should be, but in my experience, very rarely is."
fROOTS live Review

"A beautiful record, with a smouldering sound, full of wistful observations about living behind a grovery store. If you liked any of the Fat Possum recordings, you’ll find a home for this one too."
Mark Ellen, Word

Artist: Seasick Steve - www.seasicksteve.com
Album: "Dog House Music"
Release Norway: 9th of October 2006
Label: Breakwater Records - www.breakwaterrecords.com
Distribusjon: Musikkoperatørene - www.musikkoperatorene.no
Promotion: Head of Promotion - Tel: 22335517 / 22335507