Recently described by Blues Hall of Fame artist Monica Dupont as ‘Rocking and Ultra Cool’, Blue 2 the Bone have gained a reputation as one of the best contemporary blues bands in the UK.
Although the band has being enthralling audiences for over five years, the present line up came together in 2020. Signed up initially by Robert Plant’s MAS Record project, like most bands at that time they were restricted to the rehearsal room. They did however manage to get into the studio to record their critically acclaimed debut EP Down Deep South (On the Scruffy Dog Record label) from which their self titled single came from. The single has received considerable radio play across Europe and the United States, where it reached 17 in an independent blues chart.
Since the beginning of 2022 the band has been extensively gigging across the Southwest in Clubs and at Festivals, including playing at Lakefest and headlining the Sunday slot at the Wotton Blues Festival.
They already have a loyal following and are due to play at several exciting events in 2023.
Band members
Shaun Freke – Lead vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Freke played in the ‘70’s rock band Athesis and as a session musician travelling extensively throughout the UK and Europe. Since then, he’s played in a number of blues bands on the UK blues and rock circuit before taking a break from playing live to start a marketing agency. Freke says ‘It was quite strange really because a large number of our clients were within the music industry. Eventually we launched a successful music magazine. It was that that rekindled my interest in playing again’
Returning to playing live music in the mid noughties after a chance meeting with David Sullivan which became the genesis of the Blue 2 the Bone project. Alongside playing with Blue 2 the Bone Freke is involved with a number of other music projects.
Brett Lidbury – Drums, percussion, backing vocals
Lidbury has been playing drums and percussion for around 50 years; incorporating a full range of styles in many ensemble situations including rock, blues, soul, R&B, jazz (both big band & small group situations), folk etc and a stint playing in a professional cabaret line up.
Having started playing as a fifteen year old he’s played well in excess of 3,000 live gigs across Europe and spent considerable time in the recording studio, both in a band set up and as a session drummer.
His influences are wide and varied, as you would expect of someone who has played and succeeded within a wide array of genres but he names Steve Gadd, Bill Bruford, David Garibaldi, and John Bonham as those he has modelled his playing style after.
During the ‘80’s he spent time in various Jazz line up’s including playing with improvised jazz pianist Keith Tippett during 1981 & 82 and sax player Ron Caines (East of Eden founder member) during 1983 & 84.
Brett has played numerous high profile gigs across the country and has featured on the television.
Richard Bailey – Keyboards, Saxophone, backing vocals
Bailey has played keyboards in various well-known bands since leaving college. But it was a visit to the New Orleans Jazz festival and visiting Memphis 8 years ago that prompted him to take up playing the tenor sax. He now finds that he asked to play both, sometimes on the same stage and sometimes at the same time. Bailey says ‘Joining Blue 2 the Bone has given me the opportunity to explore music outside of Jazz, although I find myself integrating some of my favourite Jazz licks into my Saxophone playing on blues numbers. Playing blues has given me the space to explore my playing style and I really like the big band sound used by some of the blues’ greats, my favourite artist being BB King although I could add many more’. Bailey has played throughout Europe, extensively in the lowlands and Holland.
Paul White – Bassist, backing vocals
White started out as a teenager playing for teen rock and Prog Rock covers bands whilst still at school. For the past twenty years he has played with the lively Irish folk band Slainte who received the ‘Best band award’ at the 2017 Raindance Festival. Touring with Slainte across the World, White’s unique styling has influenced the band’s sound and since joining Blue 2 the Bone his thumping bass lines now supports the bands tonality and drive. He notes that his Influences over the years have been many and vary across the genres, but he highlights Andy Fraser, Herbie Flowers and Norman Watt Roy as his Blues and Blues Rock peers.
White is known for his collection of bespoke and unique bass guitars, and he also occasionally plays Double Bass.
David Sullivan – Lead guitar
Sullivan is a classically trained guitarist, joining his first rock band ‘Boulevard’ as lead guitarist in 1980. The band had success with their first release ‘Dawn Raid’, which reached no 3 in the Sounds music publication heavy metal chart and has since been covered.
Following a serious illness, he turned professional to join well known Spanish group ‘Diamond Jack’ with whom he played 3 nights a week for 5 years. Along with touring, the group had a residency at The Shandon Bells on the Costa Blanc.
On returning to the UK, he joined a rock covers band called ‘Last Chance’ playing on the pubs and clubs circuit in the Wiltshire and Southwest region. A chance meeting with vocalist Freke led to Blue 2 the Bone being formed in 2016. Sullivan says that his biggest influences are Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Clapton, and Robin Trower.