Microwave Dave and the Nukes
Microwave Dave & The Nukes garnered the 2007 Birmingham Weekly’s BAMA (Birmingham Area Music Awards) for Best Blues Artist. There is good reason, this band smokes. Eighteen-plus years of performances in the U.S and Europe and six albums—with more on the way—have helped Microwave Dave & The Nukes establish a wide multinational audience. Formed in 1989,
Microwave Dave & the Nukes’ Blues apprenticeship included a three-year stint as Jerry ‘Boogie’ McCain’s back-up band, interspersed with shows backing Bo Diddley both of whose styles are integral flavors in the band’s recipe. Microwave Dave produced Gotta Get A Cadillac in 1991. Producer Johnny Sandlin, legendary in his work with the Allman Brothers, Delbert McClinton, and Widespread Panic among others, recorded the group’s next release, Goodnight, Dear, for Ice House (BluesWorks) Records. The 1995 release propelled the band to Europe when their cover of Bo Diddley’s “Road Runner” became a soccer stadium smash in Paris and subsequently a solid dance hit across America. Johnny Sandlin returned to produce 2000’s Wouldn’t Lay My Guitar Down for Duck Tape Records, on which Microwave Dave fronted an all-star band of veteran players from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Cowboy, and Little Richard’s band. The title cut and a swampy cover of Roosevelt Syke’s “Don’t Care Blues” became staples on XM Satellite Radio’s ‘Bluesville’ channel, and “Hat” was later covered by Little Milton.
Atomic Electric was released in 2003 utilizing vintage analog methodology and gear, garnering the best critical responses for the band’s music to date and Atomic Electric found a home on many Blues program playlists. The album scored well at Canada’s REAL BLUES Awards, gathering wins in the 2003 Southern Blues releases and Southern Blues band categories, and naming Microwave Dave “2003 Southern Blues Guitarist Of The Year/Modern.” “Trail Of Tears”, the LoweBow instrumental composed by Dave for the album, received a nomination in the “Best Other Instrument” category from Nashville’s Music City Blues Society in the fall of 2004.
An invitation to perform live on Public Radio International’s “Whad’ya Know? With Michael Feldman” in November 2006 brought the band high praise from the broadcast’s 1.5 million listeners on XM Satellite Radio and National Public Radio stations nationwide.
Posted by bluesy on 08/15 at 07:08 PM
Blues Fest 2007 •
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