Long-time Lisa trumpet player Johnny Thirkell has released an album with internationally renowned composer/arranger Richard Niles, under the name “Bandzilla”.
Bandzilla was originally formed in the 80s out of the session band for the classic Grace Jones recording “Slave to the Rhythm”. On hearing the glorious noise a 20 piece jazz/rock band makes, record producer Trevor Horn suggested they make it a permanent thing - and so Bandzilla was born.
Their first album “Blue Movies” was released in 1984 and went on to become a cult classic, with vinyl copies changing hands for hundreds of pounds. Since then the band has featured as house-band for major UK TV series and accompanied Artists such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney and many more.
This new album “Bandzilla Rises”, features some of the finest musicians on the planet, playing hard-biting jazzy, funky tunes with scant regard for their own safety. Johnny and Richard are ably assisted by global jazz star Randy Brecker, Nigel Hitchcock (Mark Knopfler, Incognito), Mark Nightingale (Sting, Robbie Williams), Kim Chandler (Björk, The Bee Gees), Leo Sayer (16 Top 10 hits) and a host of other world-class musicians too numerous to list.
Already hailed as a classic album by luminaries such as 20x Grammy winning guitarist Pat Metheny, Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys and Blue Note Records president Don Was, the only mystery is why they took so long to release the second album?
“I was washing my hair” says Johnny. “Besides, there’s no point in rushing these things”.
A fair point, I’m sure you’ll agree.
“Bandzilla Rises” is available from the band’s web site at www.bandzilla.net or as a download from iTunes http://apple.co/2fLATOs
As a special bonus for Lisa fans, Johnny himself will personally meet and thank anyone who turns up to a Lisa show with a copy of the album!
So. What are you waiting for?
www.bandzilla.net
Bandzilla was originally formed in the 80s out of the session band for the classic Grace Jones recording “Slave to the Rhythm”. On hearing the glorious noise a 20 piece jazz/rock band makes, record producer Trevor Horn suggested they make it a permanent thing - and so Bandzilla was born.
Their first album “Blue Movies” was released in 1984 and went on to become a cult classic, with vinyl copies changing hands for hundreds of pounds. Since then the band has featured as house-band for major UK TV series and accompanied Artists such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney and many more.
This new album “Bandzilla Rises”, features some of the finest musicians on the planet, playing hard-biting jazzy, funky tunes with scant regard for their own safety. Johnny and Richard are ably assisted by global jazz star Randy Brecker, Nigel Hitchcock (Mark Knopfler, Incognito), Mark Nightingale (Sting, Robbie Williams), Kim Chandler (Björk, The Bee Gees), Leo Sayer (16 Top 10 hits) and a host of other world-class musicians too numerous to list.
Already hailed as a classic album by luminaries such as 20x Grammy winning guitarist Pat Metheny, Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys and Blue Note Records president Don Was, the only mystery is why they took so long to release the second album?
“I was washing my hair” says Johnny. “Besides, there’s no point in rushing these things”.
A fair point, I’m sure you’ll agree.
“Bandzilla Rises” is available from the band’s web site at www.bandzilla.net or as a download from iTunes http://apple.co/2fLATOs
As a special bonus for Lisa fans, Johnny himself will personally meet and thank anyone who turns up to a Lisa show with a copy of the album!
So. What are you waiting for?
www.bandzilla.net
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