americana, blues and rock solo/duo/bands
BBB’s new elongated EP, or compact album, (7 tracks) was released on Bandcamp on the 22nd January. There’s a limited edition CD which you can buy (includes high quality download in various formats to suit), or just the download – Car Trouble . It’ll be released on streaming platforms on the 20th March, but it’d be great to make some money back on it in the meantime. Streaming platforms will probably earn me enough for a bag of chips by Christmas, lol….
We thought it was time to change things up with The Bandits. Mick and BBB used to play together in a Sheffield based band in the ’80-s (anyone remember Hi’N’Dri?), and he’s been a stalwart of the NE blues scene since the ’90s. He’s coming in on vocals and harmonica (maybe some sax if we can’t avoid it…) from Feb 1st.
He’ll take a lot of front vocals (though BBB will still take them, plus the odd one from Whalebone), and the harmonica will add depth too. Mick is an outstanding vocalist and blues harp player. We’ll still be doing high octane r’n’b, so no need to worry! So good to have him on board.
Thx again for all your support in 2025. I’ll be back on the road properly in February, but meantime I’ll be performing at the Winter Blues Weekender at The Exchange 1856 in North Shields on Sunday 11th January. I’ll be on the Sunday Acoustic Showcase stage (but I’ll not be very acoustic!). It’s a three day event of top class performers in a fantastic venue so I’ll be hanging around across the weekend and hope to catch up with folks and have a beer or two as well as perform. Tickets here.
Thanks to the venues an audiences for a couple of cracking The Bates Motel gigs in November. We’ll be back at Backstage at The Green in Kinross on the 16th April and back at The Cluny in Newcastle on October 25th – 2026!
Here’s a couple of vids from The Cluny gig of 16th Nov 2025:
Bar Tender + The Blues Aint Gonna Feed Ya!
We’re also playing the Party In The Park festival near Morpeth on the 30th August. TICKETS HERE
Might see you on the road?!?!?
The Bates Motel are out gigging again:
Thursday Oct 30th, Backstage at The Green, Kinross (evening show – doors at 7.30pm, show from 8pm). TICKETS
Sunday 16th November, The Cluny, Newcastle (afternoon show – doors 12.30, show from 1.30pm). TICKETS
We’d love to see you there! Here’s a recent live studio performance for your pleasure, plus gig details below and in the above ticket links. 🙂
So, the summer is gone. Last festival for me is Darlington Rhythm and Tunes fest – I’ll be solo only this year – at Vesuvio on Sunday 14th Sept at 4pm. Stormin The Castle with The Bandits was epic as ever. Thanks to Paul Knight for the pics below.
The Bates Motel will be out again at The Cluny, Newcastle (tickets and info), and Back stage at The Green in Kinross (tickets and info) in Oct and Nov – see posters below.
The Bandits (r+b 3 piece – Whalebone Pete, Brad Dolphin and Bad Bob Bates) will be joined by special guests at this gig on Monday 25th Aug.
Mick Cantwell and BBB were in a band in the 80s, based out of Sheffield. He has a voice as good as Tom Jones and is a monster harmonica player. It’ll be great to have him up to front a few numbers. Joes Peterson is the outstanding and tasteful guitar from Big Red and the Grinners amongst others. He’s gonna play a few tunes with us too – and he’ll show everyone how it should be done. Mark Dickinson (Liam Fender, etc) will also join us for a couple of songs on keys. The rest of the time it’ll be just The Bandits knocking out tune after tune in the sunshine on the outdoor stage (weather permitting). We might a few others up at the end. Let the beers flow.
So, something special, ay?
Hey I’ve been asked to support REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND again! It was a highlight of last year and a great night. Might see you there? They’re a fantastic band to watch whether you know their material or not.
Doors: 7.30pm
Date: Tue 24 Jun 2025
Venue: The Cluny
Advance tickets: £17.50
So, The Bates Motel Travel back up to Kinross to appear at Backstage at The Green, courtesy of Mundell Music. Can’t wait! Thursday October 30th.
The Bates Motel start Easter up at Backstage at The Green on Thursday 17th April. Get your tickets here. Kinross is a great town and the venue itself is a proper hotel with accomodation. See you there?
2025 looks a little different to 2024. The Bandits are back with plenty of gigs (see gig guide), but WB&Swamp Tea are on hold as West has moved to Worthing. We might have the odd get together, however. Ma Kelly’s Boys is on hold too, so nothing in the book for them. Plenty of BBB solo still, and we’ll squeeze in The Bates Motel from time to time too. I might get to do the odd duo gig as well.
The Bates Motel EP, “Songs For The Lost and Lonely” is available to buy (hard copy or download) on BBB’s Bandcamp page. You can listen free first just in case! Hope you like it. We’re also taking the band up to Scotland (Kinross) in April – check gig guide again.
See you on the road?
Whalebone looks to be recovered from his longs term affliction, so we’re getting the band back on the road. Keep an eye on the gig guide. Meanwhile…
Meanwhile, loads of other gigs in the gig guide (solo, MKB, WB&ST, OCS)…
Hey I’m lucky enough to be supporting The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on Thursday 16th May at The Cluny in Newcastle. Great venue and great band – get yourself down. My fourth Cluny support slot this year so I must be doing alright 😉
We played a quiet venue this Sunday gone and a friend took a short vid of Soulshine before his phone died, lol – https://youtu.be/BSX11_jUbEg?si=8zP7djsrEVqkbVF-
New website for BBB and all my music! Thanks for dropping by.
Bad Bob Bates 