Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Band sing the blues at their Homecoming gig
Rising international rockers Dapper hope to bring a blues revival to Lanarkshire when they ‘come home’ for a gig.
Founding members and East Kilbridians Gary White and Mike Macdonald, who played in the wellknown 1990s rock band Ghandi’s Slipper, fulfilled a long-standing promise to one another to write an album together.
Bringing together a collective of musicians from Scotland to Venezuela, with diverse influences from Muddy Waters to The Black Keys, Dapper was born early last year.
Describing themselves as a blues-revival for a modern audience, Dapper are led by Glasgow man Gary on vocals and guitar, bassist Mike, who now lives in Madrid, guitarist Carlos Mirete, from Madrid, and drummer Jan Hajny from Prague.
The five-piece line up is completed by producer and keyboard player, Victor Hugo Mendoza from Venezuela.
Originally a vehicle for Gary and Mike’s songs, Dapper made a highly successful live debut in Madrid last June, performing four gigs in three days.
And now the local lads are set to perform their debut album, Dapper As, on home soil when they play East Kilbride Arts Centre on February 9.
Gary and Mike first played the Lanarkshire venue 20 years ago with Ghandi’s Slipper before going their separate ways and following their own career ambitions.
Gary become part of three-piece acoustic rock group Renegade who toured the west of Scotland music circuit for 17 years and were regarded a staple act on the live scene.
After studying music in England, Mike worked as a musician in and around London for many years before relocating to Madrid.
But he says nowhere compares to Scotland when it comes to live music.
“Scotland has something really special as far as innovative, live music is concerned,” said Mike.
“There is a vibe in all of Scotland and especially in Glasgow, that I haven’t found anywhere else.
“I can’t wait to get back and bring the band back home to the roots of where this all began with Gary and I so long ago.”
Dapper As was recorded early last year and has been met with critical acclaim.
Despite being from different corners of the globe, the ambitious band were able to put the album together by recording each of their own individual parts at home and sending them to one other.
First single, Circumstance, will be released on the Scottish New Music Chart in February.
Gig-goers can expect bluesy guitar-driven songs with a catchy quality that makes the Dapper lads stand out from the crowd.
The arts centre gig will be followed by a performance at The Ferry in Glasgow on February 10, where the band will be on support duty for Roxy Musique.
Dapper As can be purchased from iTunes and all reputable retailers.
Keep up-to-date with the band’s latest news, watch their videos and find links to get your tickets for both shows at www.dapper.band
Doors open for the arts centre gig at 8pm.
There is support from Paul Gemmell and The Black Magic Blues Band.
Tickets are £8. Visit www. sllcboxoffice.co.uk for more information on tickets, the gig and
forthcoming performances.