Darrell Bath.

Posted on September 30, 2021 Updated on November 17, 2022

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 !!!!

Welcome!

Posted on December 30, 2011 Updated on January 6, 2012

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 !!!!