Band Profiles
Craig Bracken – Harmonica and Vocals
Craig has a harmonica style and grace that is the envy of other harp players.
Whether blowing that penetrating single whole note, hanging out back or tearing the roof off… any which way, you can’t resist his feel and tone.
Hailed as “the equal of any top international player (past or present) that you would care to name”, Craig is a master of the harmonica and sought-after session musician.
His musical career began as front man for Auckland band Guava Groove in the late 1980s with a love of Reggae, Ska, Blues and 60s Soul then in the 1990s a natural progression toward the Blues was made.
In 2006 Craig co-founded the independent record label “Roots Music Aotearoa” with Darcy Perry & Paul Merriot.
The release of Harmonica Masters of New Zealand in 2007 CD marked Craig’s first effort as a producer.
Craig has performed at many high profile shows including the 2008 Bluesfest in Whitianga and the 50th Anniversary Mowtown concert at the Mission Estate winery in Napier in 2010.
With a never ending search for tone Craig is continuously experimenting with microphones & amplifiers to find that signature sound.
His influences include Little Walter, George “Harmonica ” Smith and Otis Redding.
Craig says “Hey, if things aren’t working out on the night… then just remember ‘its only music’”.
Doug Bygrave – Guitar
Influenced in particular by Johnny Guitar Watson, Magic Sam and the sounds of Louisiana swamp blues, Doug comes from the ‘less is more’ school of guitar.
If you come along to a Mudcats’ gig hoping to hear screaming solos and hot licks processed through umpteen pedals, you’re gonna be disappointed.
Doug’s style is simple, raw and sparse.
The late 1980s is about the time that Doug found himself hosting a weekly 3 hour blues radio show, which forced him to delve deeper into blues history and all blues styles and he played in a number of blues bands oozing out of the Bay of Plenty in the late 80’s/early 90’s, including the Gurus of Groove, Sensational Gutter brothers and Austin Texas.
After a lengthy break, he jumped at the opportunity to play with The Flaming Mudcats.
Doug says “It’s great to playing some honest blues with a bunch of guys who share the same passion for the music.”
Sean McCarthy – Bass Guitar
Sean still remembers the first time he heard the Blues.
He was at home with his Dad who was playing some of his old 45s.
The first few bars of Tommy Tucker’s High Heel Sneakers hit him like a ton of bricks and got him headed down the blues road forever.
He is talking blues the way it used to be played… Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed and Hound Dog Taylor to name but a few.
He fell in love with Hubert Sumlin and his guitar playing, he shuddered at the sound of Little Walter’s harp playing, but it was Willie Dixon, Calvin Jones, Dave Myers and Willie Kent that got him tapping his feet and made him think…”Yeah, that’s what I wanna do!”
“I’m a Blues bass player. I’m not a Jazz player. I’m definitely not a Rock player who doesn’t know better…and I’m pretty sure there’s a difference”, says Sean.
Ian Thomson – Drums
Ian has always wanted to play in a blues band that not only plays great music but that also understands enough to play with space, taste and tone, and to let the song groove and breathe.
For Ian it’s always been not just about playing the blues, but also about entertaining the audience, connecting with them, with the audience and band feeding off each other.
Growing up listening to Little Richard, Louis Jordan, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry set Ian off on a journey down that long highway playing with some amazing players and enjoying some incredible experiences on the way.
Two recent trips to the USA soaking up the roots of his influences, paying homage to his heroes and meeting the locals, have been fulfilling and inspiring to Ian.
Ian says “We all really love playing this stuff. The last few years have redefined and reshaped my playing for sure.”
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