BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS – DEC ’11

BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS – STANDING ON THE VERGE OF GETTIN’ IT ON!

Black Joe Lewis was the Friday highlight. They were probably booked off their live rep, and the astonishing spectacle of the slight Joe screaming curse words like a modern day Howlin’ Wolf was a sight to behold. With a swaying Honey Bears horn section (swaying!) and a tinny, but still brutal, double-guitar attack, any “modern-day pastiche” fears were put to rest with the call-and-response on ‘It’s Alright’ getting louder as it went on. A raucous ‘Booty City’ (check it here at Coachella) followed, featuring the band screaming together into the one mic as Black Joe stretched his wail to breaking point — they were that good.”  The Vine (Splendour in the Grass 2011)

“A lengthy walk to GW McLennan for Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears proves totally worth it as the Austin, Texas combo virtually breathe fiery, feisty rock & soul. “This lot would have easily killed at Bluesfest” is the thought going through many heads – including ours – as many, many more feet keep dancing to the horn-drenched stompers.” AAABackstage.com

Having conquered Splendour in the Grass, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears return to Australia for an encore presentation performing at the request of Golden Plains Festival and for headline shows in Sydney & Melbourne. Catch a glimpse of what to expect via an appearance earlier this year on the David Letterman show

“I don’t know what to say – let’s have that every night!” – David Letterman 

Formed in Austin, Texas in 2007, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears quickly built a formidable live reputation leading to opening slots with all manner of acts from Spoon to the New York Dolls before the launch of their debut-album Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is, in 2009. Taking cues from Parliament-Funkadelic, Howlin’ Wolf, The Stooges, James Brown – even Australia’s Saints – BJL&TH delivered in spades. Their first visit to Australia came soon after in January 2010 appearing three times for the Sydney Festival as well as an appearance at the MoNA/FOMA Arts Festival in Hobart. A new album, Scandalous – featuring Living in the Jungle – was released early in 2011 and was followed by a much-talked-about series of performances at SXSW that lead to the invitation to Splendour in the Grass, and now… here they are again!

“It was Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears who were Splendour’s most unexpected triumph. Their modernised take on old school funk and blues set them apart from the 2004 hype bands which built the crux of the line-up’s remainder. With simple, measured grooves their spine, the Honeybears complemented the broken moan of Joe Lewis to perfection; the mingling of Matt Strmiska’s solos making for one of the festival’s early highlights.”  Sound Republic

Don’t miss the surprise highlight of Splendour 2011, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, touring the Australian East Coast this December.

NEWS FLASH! Black Joe Lewis will appear on national TV Rockwiz Saturday 15th October!

Tickets for all shows are on-sale Monday 17th October