support from Paducah
(Fri 27th / 7.30pm / £8 adv)

Once described by The Fall's Mark E Smith as 'like John Lee Hooker on acid', Tony McPhee’s prog-blues trio The Groundhogs whipped up over four decades worth of fervour, careering through the late 60's and 70's with a psychedelic, lick-laden sound that took in searingly politicised lyricism, moreish melodicism and pure earthy wig-out abandon. Albums like Thank Christ For The Bomb and Split (as cited in Jim O'Rourke's all-time favourite albums list) chewed chunks out of the charts while the band toured with both The Stones and Lee Hooker himself, generally living it large and loose.

Meanwhile McPhee has become recognised as an auspicious bluesman in his own right. Tonight expect a vibrant mix of electric and acoustic styles featuring new material, blues classics and solo versions of Groundhogs favourites.