The evolution of SandyBone & The BreakDown, and this, our first recording, has been a journey not without its trials and tribulations but one I would not trade for all the gold in Yukon. As I see it, the great wealth of life is our accumulation of stories and my hope is that this record will share some of my life’s riches and that those who listen will garner some modest gems to have as their own. Ultimately it would be my wish that you will enjoy listening to our music as much as we enjoyed making it.
A long-time stalwart of the Canadian music scene, born in the nation's capital, Sandy was deeply influenced by music he heard at an early age growing up in Chicago and Africa, and has since been performing, recording and touring around the globe for many a year. The twist is, he spent much of that time in the drum seat, and although he has played a myriad of styles and genres, his love for blues and his trademark shuffles have been a dominant influence on his career to date.
~ The list of musicians he's played and/or recorded with over the years is substantial and impressive. You may have seen or heard him on record, playing a festival, or in your favourite watering hole anywhere in or between New Orleans to Toronto, Vancouver to Halifax, Texas to Whitehorse or Tokyo to Haida Gwai with the likes of Pinetop Perkins, Clarence "Big" Miller, Russell Jackson, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Big Time Sara, Lou Pride, Jumpin ' Johnny Sansone , Sue Foley, Big Jack Johnson, Sonny Rhodes, Wes Mackey, Tim Williams, Mitch Kashmar, Diana Braithwaite, Chris Whitely, Back Alley John, Drew Nelson, Muddy Fraser, "Harp Dog" Brown, Steve Kozak, Dave "Hurricane" Hoerl, Big Dave McLean, Johnny Ferreira, Shuggy Otis, Long John Baldry or Amos Garrett ..... you may also have seen him sharing the stage with Kim Wilson, Linton Garner, Matt Minglewood , Mark Hummel, Dutch Mason, Donny Walsh, Eddie Shaw, Sneezy Waters or Tom Lavin ..... the list goes on and so does the music!
~ From 1995 to 2004 Sandy would most often be seen on drums , vocals, and guitar (not to mention his songwriting) with his JUNO-nominated band, The Twisters, with whom he recorded three records and won The Canadian Independent Music Award for "Best Blues Record of 2003". Sandy was awarded eight times "Best Canadian Blues Drummer" by Real Blues Magazine (1995-2003), "Best Canadian Blues Songwriter" (2003) and thrice nominated by The Maple Blues Awards , "Best Canadian Blues Drummer" (1999, 2000 & 2003 ) .
"...may well be the best singing drummer on the entire Canadian blues scene." Peter North, BLUES MUSIC, The Edmonton Journal, 2001
~After several years of fighting with a severe case of acute tendonitis in his left (shuffle) arm Sandy finally had to lay down the sticks and back away from his life long passion for drumming. He has since been honing his skills as a songwriter and guitarist and has re-emerged as a force to be reckoned with, fronting his new band SandyBone & The Breakdown . Playing and singing a repertoire, much of which is original composition, The BreakDown put a refreshing spin in the fabric of their blues weaving threads of rock-a-billy, cajun, country, reggae and rock & roll into their heartfelt tales of life & death, women & whisky, homefire & travel, love & heartbreak and, of course, trains.
Proudly presenting their much anticipated debut release Down the line, please do check out the music of SandyBone & The BreakDown.
Read more...