With deadpan American comic, Rich Hall, opening the 2011 Isle of Arts Festival, who better to follow him than the legendary Hamsters.
This could well be one the last chances to see the band, because The Hamsters have announced that aside from a handful of other gigs in 2011, they’ll be hanging up their tour jackets on 31 March 2012, after 25 years together.
It was no April Fools when these guys they first got together back on 1st April 1987. With 4,500 gigs over 25 years under their belts, these guys are truly ‘Kings of the Road’ and although they are serious musicians, anyone who has ever been to one of their gigs will be able to testify, these guys definitely don’t take themselves too seriously.
As well as dishing out their classic bluesy, rocked-up Americana, they’re also regarded as the UK’s leading interpreters of the music of Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top classics. We’re told that their version of Voodoo Chile is used on Top Gear.
“They’re fabulous!”
Amongst the many testimonials, Radio 2’s Bob Harris (and he knows a thing or two about music) says “They’re fabulous! One of Britain’s best live bands!”
If you’re wondering where they got their band name from, they took their name from the Sex Pistols, who once used it as a pseudonym to outwit hostile councils. They say that they enjoy the irony of being an aggressive band with a cuddly name.
As you’d expect after 25 years, they’ve played with some heavy duty bands and musicians including Eric Clapton, Alison Moyet, Doctor Feelgood, Walter Trout and the late, great gentleman of British Blues, Alexis Korner.
Get your tickets now
Some tickets are still available for their Friday night (yes, this coming Friday night) performance at the Isle of Arts festival, so make sure you book your tickets now before they sell out.
This is going to be one crazy gig. Check out their YouTube channel for previous gigs.
Book tickets online, call 01983 862 596, or pop into Seasons on Ventnor High Street.
