SWBC - bringing the best in blues to Bunbury Western Australia

Empire Blues is a blues trio whose primary influences come from the British Blues invasion of the 1960's through to today.

Well-known local blues guitarist and proprietor of The Rock Inn, Andrew McIlroy was keen to develop a fresh angle on live blues in Perth. With that in mind, he looked outside the circle of established blues performers and asked long time acquaintance and owner of Witzend Recording Studios Fremantle Alan Dawson to join him on Bass guitar and Gavin Kerr a well respected Drummer from the Perth Jazz scene to form this trio. Besides the standard trio set up of vocals, guitar, bass and drums the band can switch in the middle of a set to an old blues/roots feel by using a 1930's Dobro, acoustic, fretless bass and brushes on the drums. This provides some great dynamics when viewed from a whole nights performance. Also having dual lead vocalists in Andrew and Alan keeps the audience interest up.

This band covers material from The Animals, John Mayall, Eric Clapton/Cream, The Rolling Stones, Garry Moore The Blues Band and many other great British Blues artists plus a growing list of originals. Make no mistake - this is a traditional Blues Power Trio with a great selection of up-tempo Blues.

Most recent gigs –Yanchep Inn Blues Festival, International support for Hans Theesick (March) Headlined the Blues Alive Festival. Supported Louis King and the Liars and Jan Preston on their respective tours. Regular performances, Perth Blues Club, Indi Bar, Parkerville Tavern, Waikiki Hotel, True Blue promotions and more. Other supports include Ian Moss, Dave Hole, Eugene Bridges and countless others. Andrew also recently performed at Buddy Guy’s Legends Bar in Chicago USA.

www.myspace.com/empireblues