NEW ALBUM “GLORYLAND”
NOVEMBER 2022
SO after a few years of gigging regularly, working hard and generally buggering about. i’ve finally got round to writing and recording a new album releasing November 2022. the album consists of 12 originals. some a few years old and a few new brand new songs.
The album is titled ” Gloryland” and the title song is a little look at our beautiful and troubled country. both sides the good and the bad, the theme carries through the album with the song ” Wheels” where we find ourselves in a tower block and a never ending cycle of teenage pregnancy and broken dreams. ….. a bitter sweet kitchen sink drama…. “The way we used to be” takes us back to my younger years in the Surrey delta… the queens silver jubilee …. top of the pops. water fights “its a knock out ” the sex pistols,, and Elton John……… “Record of the week” tells the story of a one hit wonder who could of been someone. and “These old hands” is a brutal look at the establishments treatment and disregard for the ordinary expendables. my family… my people.
Johnny hank and Roy is a sort’a christmas carol esque fiddle driven run through the story of a heartbroken guy looking for redemption and salvation in the music he so loves…. he finds it. but not where you might think… great fun. Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristoffreson pop up on this one with whole host of legends offering words of advise and sincere encouragement……”Love and a gun” is a rocking tale of a desperate couple who come unstuck in a big way………” whisky hope and heartbreak” is a bit close too home,,,,,,,2AM …. empty bottle time and some torturous memories of what you let slip..
‘New Dublin Express” is an irish song about a big blue bus………a weekend break and a marriage proposal by someone who probably should know better. …… “Second Chances” and ” Backs to the wall” are cousins, and do what they say on the tin. Guitar driven and rocking..
“The Artful Dodger” is my song for old mucker Dazza. .. Ian Hunter nick named him that….. the great Darrell Bath who we lost in September 2021…. he’s always with us….. we miss him.
The new album was recorded at my old pal ” smiley’s” studio in the Hampshire countryside…. and with Smiley on production, drums, keys backing vocals and tea making duties…. together with my long term right hand man NIGE on Bass we created what i believe is a fantastic album.. the great James Stevenson made the long journey beyond the M25 to play some killer guitar and along with multi talented Matt Hay on violin and a few guest appearances from some very special friends we pretty much nailed it……
it’ss be available intially via Ebay if anyone would like a copy…. just search it’ll come up..( hopefully)
track listing
GLORYLAND
WHEELS
JOHNNY, HANK AND ROY
THE NEW DUBLIN EXPRESS
RECORD OF THE WEEK
BACKS TO THE WALL
WHISKY HOPE AND HEARTBREAK
THE ARTFUL DODGER
THE WAY WE USED TO BE
LOVE AND A GUN
THESE OLD HANDS
BONUS TRACK…….SECOND CHANCES
Darrell Bath.
It is with profound sadness that we learnt of the passing of Darrel ” Dazza ” Bath , Our long term guitarist in the band, our great friend and brother, Anyone who met Darrell instantly loved him, he was the very sweetest person, no issues, no hidden side just a lovely, lovely person, an amazingly talented guitarist who was a pleasure to stand on stage with, he gave us everything and we loved him. Darrell had been with us on and off , for around fifteen years, in between touring duties with some major bands, Darrel would always turn up for us , and it was like he never left, I shared a love of great Country music with Darrell, Johnny Cash, George Jones and Waylon Jennings….Kris Kristofferson and co. all the outlaws,, New Jersey Rockers,, Bruce , of course, Southside Johnny.. we knew the songs, we had the moves. Punk hits.. 70’s classics, we were like two sides of the same coin, he was family. When i first met Darrell , one steamy night at the 12 bar club, after hours and a good skinful he was convinced he’d met me when we were kids in a caravan park on holiday, probably the Isle Of Wight he said….”have you been to the Isle Of Wight” i asked,,, “Nope, don’t think so” he said……… years and years on the road. we knew all the tricks
One time he nearly got left on the ferry from The Isle of Arran, we waited on the dock as everyone got off, then everyone got on,, No Dazza…… just as the ferry pulled away and the staircase was lifted up, out he comes, rushing down the gangplank , guitar in hand, his trusty leather bag in the other, sunglasses and a bandanna…….” hold up hold up hold up,” hes shouting to the guys who work the ferries, and he clears the last ten feet from the steps to the dockside with a big leap….. ” Fuck me, its captain Jack Sparrow” said our mate Baz Warne, who’ d been waiting with us… nah, thats Dazza, he’s funnier than Captain Jack, and gets himself into and out of more scrapes.. legendary.
We were outlaws, old school villains. toe rags… two working class kids who loved music, lived it, breathed it …lifers as Daz would say. we loved the same films, the same TV Shows.. Minder, The SWeeney, Auf Weidershen Pet… “shut it you slag” ……with the only sensible one to keep us under control, our brilliant bassman (and Dazzers long term partner in crime) Nigel Taylor…(Nige across America) beside us we were an unstoppable force, we would play a George Jones song and Darrell would follow it up with something from Tenpole Tudor or a David Essex number, nothing was off limits, he knew all the chords, i remembered the words, Nigel instinctivley laid down the bottom end, along with our original drummer the much loved , missed and mighty Chiv and later the ebullient and moderately deranged Nick Farley it just worked, a thousand nights of rockin .. drinking hard and laughter and more than a few tears, we shall miss him, he was a very very special talent,
Love ya Daz. i’ll miss you. Boat Drinks.
Micky Kemp (September 2021)
July 2012 Scottish Dates
We keep being asked when we will play some Scottish dates again, and i’m sorry to say,not for a while, we miss our friends north of the border,and have some wonderful memories playing in Scotland, where we were always made welcome and it was a second home, that we all miss greatly, we have some truly special friends made over the years but unfortunately at the present time Scottish dates are not possible, Micky,
January 06 2012
Well, what a year its turning out to be, have a full UK tour booked with Willie Nile, who as all my friends know by now is a great, great artist and a huge influence, CHECK the gig guide for dates, more
As well as another tour with the great Bill Kirchen, the master of the telecaster, the king of dieselbilly and the titan of twang…. Bill’s a legendary guitarist who is amongst the greatest players of all time, and a big hero of mine,you haven’t lived until you have seen Bill Kirchen play, awe inspiring !!
and if that wasn’t enough i have dates with the equally legendary “Magic Band” Captain Beefhearts band, true legends of the progressive rock scene and hugely influential musicians, who have seen it all, done it all and have a wardrobe full of T shirts to prove it!!!!
and last but not least,the Mighty King Of Love himself, Phil Lee, all the way from Nashville, Phil is just amazing, one of my favourite albums of all time, Phil is up there with the best in my book, and should be a household name, Phil’s songs of love and murder, gun’s, truck driving, heartache and catching his girlfriend in bed with her husband are epic …… and he is the funniest guy you’ll ever meet too,
what a year its gonna be, im truly fortunate to work with such great artists, i wonder how many football fans ever get to play with Man Utd,????????? it’s only Rock and Roll., but i like it, yes i do !!!!
Willie Nile Tour
So my good friend Willie Nile hits the road again, with his great band and a brand new album this spring April/May, looking forward to hearing it, as we all are !! i unfortunately WILL NOT be opening the shows, i’ve decided its a bit too much trying to perform as well as i want to, Tour manage, drive , and do all the other things i need to do to ensure things run smoothly, Hope to see all our friends at the shows though, and look forward to hearing some great music,!
2013 A Busy year ahead !!!
As well as continuing to gig with my own band, looks like im going to be busy on the road this year. with a UK tour with The Magic Band, lovely guys, and absoloutley blazing live show , in March and The great Willie Nile promoting his incredible new album in April and May, and into the summer my Great friend and one of the Worlds truly great guitar player Bill Kirchen with his band doing a short UK swing through and My Brother of the road Joe D’Urso promoting his new critically acclaimed album too, dates and venues to follow, It don’t seem like work when your with such great and talented people doing something you love, Hope to get up to Scotland again in the summer, missing some of our lovely friends up there, and of course the old single malt does play a part !!!!
2013
After a personally horrible year, i look forward to 2013 and firing back on all cylinders, lots of new songs and some new tour dates to follow with Willie Nile and his band and my brother of the road, Joe D’Urso and of course the mighty Stone Caravan,
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all our friends, hoping for a better year after a few tough ones for everyone.
Lots of new gig dates coming up, including new UK tour dates with Willie Nile …. and The Magic Band…..
Hope to see you all down the road somewhere!!!!
Micky
Welcome!
Welcome to My New Website!
I’ll be using this to give details of upcoming gigs, tours and any new recordings, band news and general happenings.
As well as details for my own solo shows and Micky Kemp Band shows, I’ll also be giving any details of our friends shows and tours so be sure to check back often and keep up-to-date on my Facebook page.
Micky
January 06 2012
Well, what a year its turning out to be, have a full UK tour booked with Willie Nile, who as all my friends know by now is a great, great artist and a huge influence, CHECK the gig guide for dates, more
As well as another tour with the great Bill Kirchen, the master of the telecaster, the king of dieselbilly and the titan of twang…. Bill’s a legendary guitarist who is amongst the greatest players of all time, and a big hero of mine,you haven’t lived until you have seen Bill Kirchen play, awe inspiring !!
and if that wasn’t enough i have dates with the equally legendary “Magic Band” Captain Beefhearts band, true legends of the progressive rock scene and hugely influential musicians, who have seen it all, done it all and have a wardrobe full of T shirts to prove it!!!!
and last but not least,the Mighty King Of Love himself, Phil Lee, all the way from Nashville, Phil is just amazing, one of my favourite albums of all time, Phil is up there with the best in my book, and should be a household name, Phil’s songs of love and murder, gun’s, truck driving, heartache and catching his girlfriend in bed with her husband are epic …… and he is the funniest guy you’ll ever meet too,
what a year its gonna be, im truly fortunate to work with such great artists, i wonder how many football fans ever get to play with Man Utd,????????? it’s only Rock and Roll., but i like it, yes i do !!!!
Micky Kemp Band 