Griff Hamlin Band

Griff Hamlin Band - Griff Hamlin Band - 2001 - GHB Productions

Every blues artist has the honor of paying tribute to those who have come before him, yet the duty to make a new contribution to this art form known as the blues. The Griff Hamlin Band wears it's influences proudly on its proverbial sleeve. Great and timeless blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, John Lee Hooker, and BB King, can be heard throughout this powerful music. The difference is that The Griff Hamlin Band has taken this music to a new level, and a new audience. You've heard many new guitarslingers come along as "The Next SRV," but how many have really kept your attention after the first few songs? You feel like you've heard one, you've heard them all. With this band, every song is a new trip, with it's own story to tell. © 1997-2008 SoundClick Inc. All rights reserved.

The Griff Hamlin Band's debut, self-titled CD is a fiery blend of blues and rock with brilliant guitar, powerful vocals, and a caliber of songwriting rarely found in blues music. Each track stands on its own as the CD goes from Texas style shuffles to Lousiana funk and all out rockers with ease. Blues guitar fans will have no shortage of that here. © 1996-2008, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Class A blues rock from a band who deserve more recognition. Buy their "Live In Poland" album.

TRACKS

1. Don't Lie
2. Louisiana Holiday
3. Coming Home
4. Running On
5. Morality
6. G String Shuffle
7. Got to End
8. When Evil Comes
9. Where Would I Begin

BAND

Griff Hamlin - All guitars, lead & backing vocals
Mark Smith - Bass Guitars
Dave Goode - Drums
Tom Bagley - Keyboards
Charisse Ingram - Backing vocals on "Coming Home."

REVIEWS

In 2001, after an exhausting year in the studio, The Griff Hamlin Band's self-titled CD was released. Griff Hamlin's love for music, guitar specifically, began at the age of 9 when he started his first guitar lessons. By the age of 12, Griff was enthralled with the likes of AC/DC, Andres Segovia, Joe Satriani and Randy Rhoads, and considers these some of his first big influences. Entering adulthood the Blues were sinuous in his blood, and the sounds of Blues big names such as, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Scott Henderson, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and BB King, were sounding out from his guitar. The Griff Hamlin Band made its debut in 1993 and played steadily in Orange County for three years. In 1996 some members of the band decided to pursue other musical opportunities. While separated, each member found success with various projects, and occasionally found time to play a show for enthusiastic audiences all over Southern California. With the 2001 release of "The Griff Hamlin Band," the group turned on the heat and began touring and playing at a whirlwind pace which they still maintain in support of this album. Another album is in the works, and a constant performing schedule is a given. © http://bellyup4blues.com/bands/griffhamlin

A fine example of blues & rock coming together with a great mix of power & sensitivity - Rocksector Review

BIO

At 36 years old, guitarist Griff Hamlin has already enjoyed a successful and varied career that has spanned nearly 2 decades. He is constantly active as a session and performing guitarist and vocalist for a wide variety of musical groups, sometimes performing as many as 200 concerts per year. His musical styles cover rock, blues, country, jazz, and classical music. His career began in high school where as a junior he began teaching private lessons and doing gigs around the Boston, MA area. In 1989, he moved to Orange County, CA, where he has continued to teach privately, and continues to enjoy an active career as a freelance guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, and songwriter. In 1998 he attended the prestigious USC Thornton School of Music where he had the opportunity to study and perform with such guitar legends as Steve Trovato, Pat Kelley, Frank Potenza, and Joe Diorio. Griff has recorded two solo albums, one of original blues/rock songs in 2000, and one live concert recorded in Krosno, Poland in May of 2004. His first album garnered him an Orange County Music Award nomination for “Best Blues.” In addition, he has performed on countless demo recordings, and several independently released albums, most notably by classical guitarist, Eric Henderson, who once humbly introduced Griff at a concert as “the greatest electric guitarist in the world.” Griff has also done two European tours in support of his own music, and has performed overseas for US troops in Turkey, Italy, and Korea. Griff has also been a regular performer at Disneyland off and on for nearly 10 years, and has done gigs for high profile clients such as ABC Television, The California State University Fullerton Alumni Association, Toyota, Maleluca, Sunrider, and many others. Griff currently lives in Corona, California with his wife, Laura, and their 3 children. © GriffHamlin.com

MORE ABOUT THE GRIFF HAMLIN BAND

There is no doubt after hearing just one song performed by The Griff Hamlin Band - be it one of their juicy renditions, or one of Griff's mouth dropping originals - that this band is traveling the road to legendary. In 2001, after an exhausting year in the studio, The Griff Hamlin Band's self-titled CD was released. While keeping up his chops in the local circuit, Griff used all of his spare time to put together this musical masterpiece, of which he maintains is his "...greatest accomplishment so far." Members of the local press agree, and The Griff Hamlin Band has been nominated at the 2004 Orange County Music Awards. Griff's love for music, guitar specifically, began at the age of 9 when he started his first guitar lessons. By the age of 12, Griff was enthralled with the guitar, practicing sometimes as much as eight hours a day. Entering adulthood the Blues were sinuous in his blood, and the sounds of Blues legends such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, Scott Henderson, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and BB King, were sounding out from his guitar. For a time, Griff Hamlin attended USC where he majored in music. While he admits that the experience was bittersweet, Griff also admits to being a more learned musician now because of it. In December of 1999, Griff left USC to record a Classical CD with well-known and respected Classical Guitarist, Eric Henderson. The project was completed in mid-2000, and the CD release concert was an enormous hit. Eric humbly introduced Griff as "the greatest electric guitarist in the world." The Griff Hamlin Band made its debut in 1993 with Bassist Mark Smith, Joe Wente on drums, and Griff handling the guitar and singing. The band played steadily in Orange County for three years, but in 1996, the band went on hiatus to pursue other musical opportunities. While separated, each member found success with various projects, and occasionally played shows for enthusiastic audiences all over Southern California. In 2000, the Blues/Rock band, second-to-none, reunited full-time, this time with veteran drummer Bernie Rubio. With the 2001 release of their self-titled CD, the group turned on the heat and began touring and performing at a whirlwind pace, which they still maintain. They play at least 100 shows per year in the southern California area, and they've recently taken the show to Hawaii, and are scheduled to perform in Aspen, Colorado. On a summer 2004 European tour the band will be headlining the International Galicja Blues Festival in Poland. © http://cdbaby.com