Biography
The Wisemen are a Lancaster-based band evolved from an acoustic duo formed in '99. They have self-released 2 Eps and 2 mini-albums between 2000-2004. These have been largely acoustic based. The Wisemen's CD's are available in real shops and online stores across the UK, ('Record Of The Week' 05/07/04 in Piccadilly Records) as well as in the USA. This month has seen the release of an acoustic anthology featuring all releases to date(as they are mostly sold-out), plus bonus tracks.
Details can be seen on our website, and at www.picadillyrecords.co.uk When playing electrically, the Wisemen are more than capable of rocking out, with hints of psychedelia and soul. When playing as an acoustic group, the instruments include guitar, mandolin, banjo, autoharp, fiddle, and harmonica. Obviously, these instruments encourage the music to lean more towards folk-bluegrass-country-blues stylings, albeit with an 'alt' stuck in front of it. As well as playing numerous local gigs, the Wisemen have played Twist acoustic in London in August and October and also Glasgow Barfly.
There are also other London gigs, such as playing the Hope & Anchor in November and UpAllNight on the hozizon for the new year, as well as returning to the Twist. The Wisemen are also to play 'Hell's Ditch', a monthly alt country night in Liverpool in December. The Wisemen have had some interest from Liverpool's Regular Beat Recordings, who are to release a split single with us early next year, and have invited us to play showcase gigs in London and Liverpool with their roster this winter. Details to be confirmed. The Wisemen are also to play with Manchester alt.country band Anna Kashfi, and Glasgow's acoustic-based Absent Ashes as part of several gig-swaps in the autumn/winter. The local university radio station, Bailrigg FM has interviewed the Wisemen twice this year, as well as featuring us in two live acoustic sessions.
We have recently supported Philadelphia's MPE Band, both in June and August), and are to support Chicago's Ghettobillies later this month. In the press, Angelica's Holly Ross described a recent Wisemen gig
thus: 'the band were truly wonderful&with a set as colourful, wide and impressive as a peacock's tail!' Vanity Project had this to say: 'on these demos, sent in advance of a more official release, there is certainly wisdom inherent. The mandolin, banjo and accordion featured should give you the basic idea, as they circumnavigate the dusty country of Iron & Wine and Will Oldham, a delicate rock n' roll twang and blues-folk grit stuck in their shoe. Their songwriting is top notch, particularly on the wonderful 'Your Tricks', with both melancholia and a jovial perkiness in their arsenal. I can't wait to hear more.'
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