Back Door Slam
Encyclopedia
Back Door Slam is the name of the blues rock band started by Davy Knowles
on the Isle of Man
in 2003/4. The band got its name from a Robert Cray
song of the same name. Originally a four piece, with Castle Rushen High School
friends Jamie Armstrong (bass guitar
), Ross Doyle (drum
s) and Brian Garvey (rhythm guitar
), the band was torn apart in 2004 when Brian was killed in a car accident along with their close friend Richie Brookes.
Deciding to carry on in Brian's memory, Davy, Jamie and Ross reformed the band, with Davy writing the emotional tribute to his friend & former bandmate, 'Stay', which was later to appear on a rare EP and on their debut album Roll Away
. The trio recorded two EPs togethers, and played hundreds of gigs on their native Isle of Man before moving to London to live with Davy's manager, Bob Miller (Corinne Bailey Rae
, Christine Collister
). After a handful of gigs in the UK, Jamie decided to pursue a career in music production and left the band to go to University.
In 2007, with a spot secured at the SXSW Festival in Texas, Davy and Ross recruited former schoolmate Adam Jones to replace Jamie on bass. Adam joined Back Door Slam for what turned out to be two extensive tours of the US lasting until January 2009.
on June 18, 2007 in the Isle of Man, with a July 1 release date in North America. The 10 song disc (plus 1 bonus track) includes live favourites "Come Home" and "Too Late", along with evocative love song "Too Good For Me", newie "It'll All Come Around" and the one cover - 1920s blues rocker "Outside Woman Blues
" (originally by Blind Joe Reynolds but most famously covered by Cream
on their album Disraeli Gears
). Title track "Roll Away" is an acoustic, imagery-packed reminder of the boys' Celtic roots and testament to singer Davy Knowles' versatile songwriting abilities. The album was produced by Dave Armstrong
of Running Media/DAM Productions.
, REO Speedwagon
, Styx
, Eric Burdon
, Kid Rock
, and Lynyrd Skynrd with hundreds of headline gigs, festivals (Lollapalooza
, Download Festival
, Wakarusa
, Austin City Limits Festival and Bonnaroo 2008). A live album was released of their performance at Bonnaroo. The band also toured with longtime jamband favorites Gov't Mule
.
"Dear Friends and Back Door Slam Family:
After much thought and soul searching, we have reached the painful decision that we should part ways at this time. The decision was the hardest of our lives, but it's one we believe had to be made in order for each of us to move forward creatively and musically.
We will each continue with our own musical projects and hope to fulfill our own musical ambitions; Davy will be working on a follow up to the first Back Door Slam album "Roll Away", and will be touring the US to support and promote the record, and Ross and Adam will be embarking on new projects of their own in the UK and Europe, so please keep checking backdoorslam.com for news about each member of the band, and upcoming album releases.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has followed Back Door Slam over the last few years and shown their support for the three of us.
Davy, Adam and Ross"
as solo opening act for dates of his US Tour early 2009. He then recorded a new album, Coming Up For Air
, with Peter Frampton
as co-Producer, (and also adding guitar, backing vocals & co-writing two songs), along with Benmont Tench
(keys), Mauricio Fritz Lewak (drums) and Kevin McCormick
(bass), which was released in June 2009. He is now on the road as Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, with PK (bass), Steven Barci (drums) and Ty Bailie (keys). They opened for Chickenfoot
in August/Sept 2009. In June 2009, Chickenfoot guitarist Joe Satriani
described Davy as his "new favourite modern-day bluesman" in a Playlist article in the Sunday Times.
Davy Knowles
Davy Knowles is a blues guitarist and singer. Knowles, formerly of the blues-rock band Back Door Slam, is now working as a solo artist under the name Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam. With Back Door Slam, he played lead guitar and sang on their debut album, Roll Away...
on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
in 2003/4. The band got its name from a Robert Cray
Robert Cray
Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist and singer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has led his own band, as well as an acclaimed solo career.-Career:...
song of the same name. Originally a four piece, with Castle Rushen High School
Castle Rushen High School
Castle Rushen High School is a co-educational secondary state school located in Castletown on the Isle of Man for pupils in the South of the Island.-Isle of Man School System:Main article: Education in the Isle of Man...
friends Jamie Armstrong (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), Ross Doyle (drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s) and Brian Garvey (rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
), the band was torn apart in 2004 when Brian was killed in a car accident along with their close friend Richie Brookes.
Deciding to carry on in Brian's memory, Davy, Jamie and Ross reformed the band, with Davy writing the emotional tribute to his friend & former bandmate, 'Stay', which was later to appear on a rare EP and on their debut album Roll Away
Roll Away (Album)
Roll Away is the debut album by the British blues rock power trio Back Door Slam. It was recorded with the classic lineup of Davey Knowles on guitar, Adam Jones on Bass and Ross Doyle on drums and released on June 18, 2007 in the Isle of Man, July 1 in the United States, and September 25, 2007 in...
. The trio recorded two EPs togethers, and played hundreds of gigs on their native Isle of Man before moving to London to live with Davy's manager, Bob Miller (Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist from Leeds, who released her debut album Corinne Bailey Rae in February 2006....
, Christine Collister
Christine Collister
Christine Collister is a Manx folk, blues and jazz singer-songwriter. She was born and grew up on the Isle of Man and first came to public attention in 1986 as the singer of the theme song for the BBC's television adaptation of Fay Weldon's book The Life and Loves of a She-Devil.Prior to this, in...
). After a handful of gigs in the UK, Jamie decided to pursue a career in music production and left the band to go to University.
In 2007, with a spot secured at the SXSW Festival in Texas, Davy and Ross recruited former schoolmate Adam Jones to replace Jamie on bass. Adam joined Back Door Slam for what turned out to be two extensive tours of the US lasting until January 2009.
Debut Album
The band in this classic lineup, with Ross Doyle on Drums and Adam Jones on Bass released their debut album Roll AwayRoll Away (Album)
Roll Away is the debut album by the British blues rock power trio Back Door Slam. It was recorded with the classic lineup of Davey Knowles on guitar, Adam Jones on Bass and Ross Doyle on drums and released on June 18, 2007 in the Isle of Man, July 1 in the United States, and September 25, 2007 in...
on June 18, 2007 in the Isle of Man, with a July 1 release date in North America. The 10 song disc (plus 1 bonus track) includes live favourites "Come Home" and "Too Late", along with evocative love song "Too Good For Me", newie "It'll All Come Around" and the one cover - 1920s blues rocker "Outside Woman Blues
Outside Woman Blues
"Outside Woman Blues" is a standard blues song originally recorded by Blind Joe Reynolds in 1929. The song has been covered by numerous artists most notably by Cream in 1967.-Background:...
" (originally by Blind Joe Reynolds but most famously covered by Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
on their album Disraeli Gears
Disraeli Gears
Disraeli Gears is the second album by British supergroup Cream. It was released in November 1967 and went on to reach #5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also their American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller there in 1968, reaching #4 on the American charts...
). Title track "Roll Away" is an acoustic, imagery-packed reminder of the boys' Celtic roots and testament to singer Davy Knowles' versatile songwriting abilities. The album was produced by Dave Armstrong
Dave Armstrong (producer)
Dave Armstrong is a Canadian record producer who had a number one on the UK Dance Chart with the track Love Has Gone in January 2008. The track was a collaboration with Redroche and H-Boogie and was released on the Hed Kandi label. The single made #43 on the official UK singles chart.-External...
of Running Media/DAM Productions.
Tour
Following their storming performance at SXSW 2007, the band then played 310 dates in support of their album Roll Away. The tour included support slots with Rusted RootRusted Root
Rusted Root is a band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania known for their unique fusion of acoustic, rock, world and other styles of music, with a strong percussion section that draws from African, Latin American, Native American, and Indian influences...
, REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon is an American rock band. Formed in 1967, the band grew in popularity during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. Hi Infidelity is the group's most commercially successful album, selling over ten million copies and charting four Top 40 hits in the US...
, Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
, Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
, Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
, and Lynyrd Skynrd with hundreds of headline gigs, festivals (Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
, Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
, Wakarusa
Wakarusa
Wakarusa can refer to several things in the United States:* Wakarusa, Indiana* Wakarusa, Kansas* The Wakarusa River, a tributary of the Kansas River* The Wakarusa War, part of the Bleeding Kansas violence before the American Civil War...
, Austin City Limits Festival and Bonnaroo 2008). A live album was released of their performance at Bonnaroo. The band also toured with longtime jamband favorites Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule is a Southern rock jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project by Warren Haynes and Allen Woody.The band released their debut album Gov't Mule in 1995...
.
Breakup
On January 27, 2009, a letter was posted on Back Door Slam's website, announcing that the band had 'broken up' and its members were pursuing different musical endeavors. The text of the letter is as follows:"Dear Friends and Back Door Slam Family:
After much thought and soul searching, we have reached the painful decision that we should part ways at this time. The decision was the hardest of our lives, but it's one we believe had to be made in order for each of us to move forward creatively and musically.
We will each continue with our own musical projects and hope to fulfill our own musical ambitions; Davy will be working on a follow up to the first Back Door Slam album "Roll Away", and will be touring the US to support and promote the record, and Ross and Adam will be embarking on new projects of their own in the UK and Europe, so please keep checking backdoorslam.com for news about each member of the band, and upcoming album releases.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has followed Back Door Slam over the last few years and shown their support for the three of us.
Davy, Adam and Ross"
Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam
Knowles joined Jeff BeckJeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
as solo opening act for dates of his US Tour early 2009. He then recorded a new album, Coming Up For Air
Coming Up for Air
Coming Up for Air is a novel by George Orwell, first published in June 1939, shortly before the outbreak of World War II. It combines premonitions of the impending war with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian era childhood...
, with Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
as co-Producer, (and also adding guitar, backing vocals & co-writing two songs), along with Benmont Tench
Benmont Tench
Benjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
(keys), Mauricio Fritz Lewak (drums) and Kevin McCormick
Kevin McCormick
Kevin McCormick may refer to:* Kevin McCormick , minor fictional character on the animated TV series South Park* Kevin McCormick , author of the 1980s comic strip Arnold...
(bass), which was released in June 2009. He is now on the road as Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, with PK (bass), Steven Barci (drums) and Ty Bailie (keys). They opened for Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot is an American rock supergroup, consisting of former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony , solo artist Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. The band released their self-titled debut album, Chickenfoot, on June 5, 2009...
in August/Sept 2009. In June 2009, Chickenfoot guitarist Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
described Davy as his "new favourite modern-day bluesman" in a Playlist article in the Sunday Times.
Discography
- Roll AwayRoll Away (Album)Roll Away is the debut album by the British blues rock power trio Back Door Slam. It was recorded with the classic lineup of Davey Knowles on guitar, Adam Jones on Bass and Ross Doyle on drums and released on June 18, 2007 in the Isle of Man, July 1 in the United States, and September 25, 2007 in...
(2007) - Back Door Slam - EPBack Door Slam - EPBack Door Slam - EP is an iTunes-exclusive EP by blues-rock power trio Back Door Slam. The EP consists of four tracks total, all of which are covers...
(2008) - Back Door Slam: Live from Bonnaroo (2009)
- Coming Up For AirComing Up For Air (Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam album)Coming Up for Air is a 2009 album by Davy Knowles. It is the follow-up to Back Door Slam's debut album Roll Away. The effort was co-produced by Peter Frampton. Davy Knowles plays electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, sings lead and contributes backing vocals...
(2009)
Trivia
- Supported The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
on the opening night of the Peel Bay Festival on the 30th May 2007 - Supported Don McLeanDon McLeanDonald "Don" McLean is an American singer-songwriter. He is most famous for the 1971 album American Pie, containing the renowned songs "American Pie" and "Vincent".-Musical roots:...
at the Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man on the 24th August 2005 - Supported Corinne Bailey-Rae at the Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man on 22 June 2007
- Filmed first video at their former high school, Castle Rushen High SchoolCastle Rushen High SchoolCastle Rushen High School is a co-educational secondary state school located in Castletown on the Isle of Man for pupils in the South of the Island.-Isle of Man School System:Main article: Education in the Isle of Man...
, using pupils as extras for a crowd scene.