Kokomo - Brilleaux - Dance Party!

Two of the Bay's top bands unite for One Night only!

Kick off those winter blues and put on your dancing shoes.

Beer and wine will be served by Jim Bartee of Katikati's Finer Wines, there is no BYO.

Doors open 7.30pm; Dancing starts 8.00pm. Tickets are also available from Finer Wines

KOKOMO

Hailing from New Zealand's sunny Bay of Plenty, Kokomo (originally “Kokomo Blues”) has been together now since the 1990s, and has become renowned for dynamic live shows and smart distinctive song-writing, as well as the band’s unique harmonica-trumpet horn section.

During this time the band has toured extensively throughout New Zealand, performing at the country’s major rock, blues, jazz and folk festivals. The band has grown to a multi-instrumental six-piece but still dips backs into its roots as an acoustic guitar/harmonica/bass trio.

Between touring the band has released twelve albums and a live concert DVD. Three are collections of traditional blues, one is a tribute to the songs of Bob Dylan, and other albums predominantly feature the band’s own songs.

In 2016 Kokomo released a 2-CD boxed set, Batten Down the Hatches, to celebrate 25 years of making music, and launched it at a sold-out (600 tickets) concert at Tauranga's Baycourt Theatre which was filmed and recorded. This year (2019) saw the release of Sunset Claws, Kokomo's 13th album which the band debuted at the 57th National Jazz Festival.

Along the way Radio New Zealand has recorded five programmes focusing on Kokomo’s music, and they have appeared from time to time on various TV channels. Kokomo’s music has also been used as the soundtrack for projects as diverse as TV gardening shows and surfing videos. It has also featured on popular programmes such as Shortland Street.

They have also played with and supported a number of overseas blues and jazz acts, including Georgie Fame, Richard O'Brien, Doug McLeod, Keb Mo, Buddy Guy, “Mississippi Willie Foster”, The LeRoi Brothers, Hans Theessink, New Orleans singer Lillian Boutte, Hawaiian steel wizard Ken Emerson, and legendary guitarist Amos Garrett (Butterfield Blues Band).

On the local front they have performed and toured with the likes of Roy Phillips (Peddlers), Hammond Gamble, Dragon, Jan Preston, Midge Marsden, Shona Laing, Barry Saunders, Mike Cooper and many others.

BRILLEAUX

Brilleaux are an original, 4 piece, British-style rhythm and blues band formed in Tauranga, New Zealand in 1999 and in 2019 still have the same original band members.

Graham Clark: Lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica
Bruce Rolands: Lead Guitar
Brian Franks: Bass Guitar
Ian (Beano) Gilpin: Drums, Backing Vocals

Brilleaux were formed specifically to play a variation of up-tempo British Rhythm & Blues not common on the music scene in the southern hemisphere, most blues bands opting to play the more classic Texas or Chicago style blues. The name Brilleaux was chosen as a tribute to the late Dr Feelgood vocalist Lee Brilleaux.

Brilleaux play hard, driving, fast and tough R&B. No slow renditions of old blues classics here - just energetic, sweaty rock n roll with screaming harmonica. Brilleaux have toured New Zealand and the UK several times, played festivals in Europe and released 10 albums

Festival Reviewers in the UK said:
Brilleaux delivered Dr Feelgood style music, much of which is self-penned. In between they played some great early British RnB in a contemporary style from the Yardbirds to Billy Fury.

Brilleaux excelled my expectations.

Brilleaux perform original interpretations of classic British RnB of the period and use the style to shape their own music - Great act

Excellent show, energy, quality playing, humour, showmanship - what more could anyone ask for.

Brilleaux should have been the headlining act to finish the festival with a bang.

What did they sound like? - Something like Green Day playing John Lee Hooker, or Nirvana playing Rolling Stones!