Walter Trout & The Radicals

Biography | Riders & Publicity Materials

Having played alongside some of the greatest names in Blues including John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat, the adage "six degrees of separation" certainly does not apply to world-renowned musician, Walter Trout. Strapped to an axe for 35 years, it is no wonder Trout's roots are showing on his fourth U.S. release, Go the Distance (May 22, 2001, Ruf Records). The album opens with "Love So Deep" which Trout explains, "…after slowing the song down to half its initial speed, (drummer) Bernie (Pershey)'s going, 'I don't know man, it's starting to sound like Canned Heat.'" Trout agreed, "Well, after all those gigs I'm bound to play a boogie now and then!" With the release of Go the Distance, fans and critics will no doubt agree that Walter Trout is now zero degrees away from the Blues greats.

The Los Angeles Times describes the Southern California resident as "a torrential, gladiator guitar player - the kind the term 'guitar hero' was coined to describe." With his arresting technique, relentless tour schedule, (Trout plays upwards of 200 dates/year) and exhilarating showmanship, Trout merited the cover of Blues Revue in October '00, and his first American live album, Live Trout (released in 2000), hit #15 on the Billboard Blues charts. Now Go the Distance propels the forward momentum. The 13 original tunes were recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis and produced by Jim Gaines, (Blues Traveler, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan) who also worked on Trout's 1999 Livin' Every Day and Live Trout. As cuts like "Ride 'Til I'm Satisfied" and the title track attest, Walter Trout & The Radicals' final destination may be unknown, but they have embarked on the journey and are enjoying the ride, picking up rabid fans along the way.

Playing live is something Trout knew, even as a youngster, that he wanted to do. A chance meeting during his childhood with the mighty Duke Ellington catapulted Trout's interest in pursuing a professional music career. "That was the turning point in my life," he recalls. "I was there for two hours while Duke, Cat Anderson, Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves sat in a circle and talked to me about music and life. They were so warm and generous and kind to me. I was in awe."

As a teenager Trout got bit by the rock bug, plugged into an amp and never looked back. It didn't take long for him to gain entry into the major leagues. His ability to tear up the neck made him a sought after sideman for John Lee Hooker and eventually launched a solo career after cutting his chops the way Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor did, playing with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.

Such high profile gigging earned Trout a devout fan base in Europe and the U.S. and resulted in a record deal with Provogue Records for whom he recorded three releases. More than half a million units sold (and still selling!), Trout has become a phenomenon abroad where blues and rock buffs faithfully turn out in droves to witness his frenetic guitar breaks and hear how far this animated performer will push, or rather, tear the envelope.

In a BBC radio poll, Trout was ranked #6 out of the top 20 all-time greatest guitarists (where a few more votes would've landed him snugly in the Top 5 amongst Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page!). Trout has his sites set on similar stateside notoriety. His 1998 self-titled release (and his American debut) sold 25,000 units, locking the disc into Blues Revue's Top 40 sales chart for a year where it peaked at #18. Consistently packing crowds into 1,000+ seat venues nationwide, look for Walter Trout & The Radicals to ride coast to coast this summer playing at clubs and festivals including returning to the Tampa Bay Blues Festival after the organizers handed Trout a contract the moment he walked off the stage in 2000.

Both on record and on stage, Trout keeps the art of blues thriving and vivacious. Blues Revue comments "Trout gets into the groove where the magic happens. But each night offers a particular set of circumstances that keep the music fresh." From introspection to full blown rockin' blues, Trout's music is always marked by his adept songwriting, sturdy vocals, searing guitar work and ability to enhance the boundaries of one of music's oldest forms. But as Trout is quick to point out, "the blues shouldn't be a museum. The music ought to constantly expand and be alive."

In Spring 2006 Walter Trout released his new studio Cd "Full Circle" to huge acclaim. Released under the guise of "Walter Trout And Friends" the Cd features a wealth of talent including John Mayall, Jeff Healey, Coco Montoya, Joe Bonamassa, Bernard Allison, Eric Sardinas and many more. The Cd rocketed to the top of the Billboard charts in the USA - a deserved reward for one of the most talented, hardest working people in the business.

In October Walter Trout will be touring the UK with his band "The Radicals" - expect two hours of great songs, great singing and some truly awesome playing!

Riders and publicity data:
File	Description	Size
	Biography	25kb
	Artwork	207kb
	PA Spec	24kb
	Stage Spec - Power Trio	223kb
	Room List - Power Trio	52kb
	Catering Spec - Power Trio	27kb
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