Artist description Hard Rockin' Blues maniacs

Music Style Rockin'Blues

Musical Influences Walter Trout, Michael Katon

Similar Artists Walter Trout, Michael Katon, ZZ Top

Artist History After a couple of "staff alterations" the BARFLY'S started out in January 1998 and in Februari of that same year they've played their first gig for the "Bluevolution round-up competition". They 've managed it to convince the crowd off their musical talent and played from that moment on about 60 gigs a year in numerous clubs, pubs, biker-meetings and festivals throughout Belgium & Holland. In April 2000 they've recorded their first full CD which is very good recieved in the international press.Honest, hard rockin' and focused are the keywords for their music and although they not attempt to play the 12bar Blues, you can describe it as"US - style Rockin'Blues-"Smokin' guitars, beyond belief solo's, stiff and dynamite drums and groovin' -Ten Ton- Bass in co-operation with an unbelievable live show are the BARFLY'S ingredients.

Group Members P.J.=Bass TOM VdR=guitar & vocals Eric D.S.=Drums

Instruments bass, guitar, drums

Albums Living in sin

Press Reviews Aardschok June 2000...Aardschok is an International Rock & Metal magazine from Holland written in Dutch, so here's the translation.Barfly's excist for about two years now and have already got a big, impressive track record to fill their debut album. These gents stand for heavy straight ahead bluesrock with sometimes a big boogie influence. They're simply but effective going their own way, making honest bluesrock straight from the heart. A minor point is the "flat" sound (compared with heavy-metal records) but they released this product under there own name with a limited support so.....This album is an uncomplicated, no-nonsense bluesrock CD with once and a while a nice contagious twist. If you like blues, bluesrock or rock, order this CD, you won't be disappointed about this album. 75/100back to top Bluescruiser May 2000...Live at The Kwadendamme Soccer Stadium, they had the difficult task to open the festival. They did well, and so I was very much looking forward to listen to this CD. Well, it is worth it. First time I played it I heard a couple of tunes I liked right away. Listening some more I found there is a lot of good music on this CD. Although in general it is Bluesrock, with a lot of straight forward, almost headbangers blues, there are a couple of songs with something extra that make this CD worth more. I was really surprised to hear 6Teen Angel. I closed my eyes and I found myself back in the early seventies, when The Stones did similar things. The part when the singer sings ....You are my sweet 6teen angel..... messed me up a bit. This is one beautyfull song! Sweet Marie-Ann is from another caliber but at least as good. All the songs on this CD are written by the Barfly's exept Barfly Boogie which is written by Howlin'Bill (Big Trouble) who also sings and does the harmonica part on this one. In Kwadendamme where I first saw the band, I was not at all familiar with their music. Now, having heard this CD, and being better prepared, I would like to see them again. Checking the agenda on their homepage that will not be too difficult. 5 on the dice of sixback to top Back to the roots June 2000...Back to the roots is a Belgian Blues magazine written in Dutch, so here's the translation.Barfly's.....AC/DC meets Stevie Ray Vaughan seems like the best description for this powerbluestrio. A solid backbeat from Peter (Bass) & Eric (drums) and a heavy "fat" distortion guitar from Tom, who is also doing the vocals, makes this album catchy and rough. These guys have their own sound (unlike many other blues bands) and that's worth a lot. Looking at their concert calender and their own fanclub you could say that the audience is also loving this music. Luke Alexander is the producer and is also playing on a couple of songs. Also a nice touch is the Barfly's Boogie, with special guest Howlin' Bill on vocals and harp who has also written this song.If you like the 'heavier" blues, we can surely recommend this album. this magazine doesn't give quotesback to top It's Mojo Music Time July 2000...It's Mojo Music Time is a Belgian Blues magazine written in Dutch, here's the translation.Finally it has arrived, the long awaited debut album from the in Antwerp based Barfly's. They are probably the band with the best PR management in Belgium, with a lot of gigs. Texas Bluesrock from Antwerp, 11 songs written by Tom Van de Reydt (vox & guitars) and Peter Janssens (bas) and on drums Eric De Schutter. They start off with "Bring back your heart", a heavy based rockin'blues song. Everyone who saw them live knows the energy and the comfort with which they play. Listening to the titel track "Living in sin" we where pleasently surprised by the vocals and the riff. Luke Alexander, the producer, plays a nice accoustic intro on 6teen angel. This is a guitar album with (very) good songs, no more, no less. Listen to "Sweet Mary-Ann" while it thunders through your speakers and "Ain't no big thing" with an amazing drive. We can be proud of this Belgian Barfly's CD and it's got a lot of potential for a great future( in the world).back to top Blues on stage Aug. 2000...Blues on stage is an American Blues magazine from the Twin Cities (Minneapolis & Minnesota).If you are looking for some new rocking blues with lots of guitar and a strong driving beat, then check out "Living In Sin" the debut album from The Barfly's. The Barfly's are a rockin' three piece based in Antwerp, Belgium. Tom Van de Reydt leads from the front playing a mean guitar and delivering some fine vocals, Peter Janssens on bass provides a thumping groove, that really keeps moving, and Eric de Schutter does an admirable job beating the skins. The band's influences are obviously wide, from Quo to Zeppelin, with a measure of Texas and West Coast thrown in for good measure. All eleven tracks on this comparatively short 40 minute album are original recordings all written by the band, or their associate Howlin' Bill. The themes of the songs follow the usual blues mix of being in and out of love, sex, and beer (well they probably drank lots while making the album judging by the acknowledgements on the CD insert) It was good that the guys keep the tracks short, they blast out a song and when they have said everything the song ends without any self-indulgent prevarication. The highlights include "Boogie Man", which has a good bluesy feel, "Dealin' Love" featuring some fine guitar work, "In My Dreams" with a good bass riff, and the nice harp on "Barfly Boogie". The Barfly's have a good live following in Belgium, and this album should give them some deserved exposure in the rest of Europe and North America. So turn up the volume and boogie with the Barfly's.back to top Texas Blues Music Aug. 2000...Texas blues music is a blues magazine from Hummble, Texas with a short description.Ex - cel - lent, this is an amazing debut album from Antwerp, Belgium. 11 Rocking Blues songs with a nice groove and some contagious music. Listen to "Get Up" and you know what I'll mean.back to topBluesrockers in co-operation with Tom Branson Oct. 2000Bluesrockers is a (excellent) Norwegian website with CD reviews in co-operation with Tom Branson from AmericaI still remember well sitting in front of a television set in 1964 watching the Beatles historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and witnessing the birth of the legendary "British Invasion". I recall thinking that the Beatles were good, but it would be some of the bands following them to the US who would really get my attention. As bands like the Animals, Kinks, Yardbirds, and others gained airplay on US radio, it was apparent to me that there was great energy associated with their raw blend of 50s rock and blues. Then, in early 1965, my radio delivered to me the first of what would become many such doses of mega high voltage from Great Britain when it first played for my ears "I Can't Explain" from the Who. This band, more than any others of their time, was all about energy. Here was rock music with an attitude, and that attitude begat energy. Over the years, I have drawn enough energy from music like this to illuminate every light bulb in North America. With that said, in the mail a short while back, I received a truly remarkable CD, "Living In Sin" from the Belgium based blues/rock power trio the Barfly's. I knew from the first time this CD hit my player that it was a very special recording. As did those early Who recordings, this CD has attitude. Also like those early blues/rock artists, the Barfly's sound is simultaneous both raw and accomplished. Unlike many present bands that feature a hot guitarist flanked by also-rans, Tom Van de Reydt's powerful guitar and solid vocals are capably supported by excellent bassist Peter Janssens, and the precise percussion of Eric De Schutter. And, unlike many other bands, these highly talented individual components of whom the Barfly's are composed, fit together perfectly. With lyrics, sound and energy so powerfully generated from parts that fit together this well , the Barfly's are a band with a tremendous future. Each of the CDs 11 tracks are well written originals which vary in style but not in energy levels. My personal favorites are the powerful title track, the hard driving "Bring Back Your Heart", and the blues/rockers "Ain't No Big Thing" and "Dealin' Love". Though these are my favorites, the entire CD is top notch. Quite frankly, I have been having a lot of trouble listening to anything else since I received this CD and I moved it ahead of several others that I had already targeted to review. I am rating "Living In Sin" by the Barfly's as a "must own" and it receives my highest possible recommendation to you.

Location Antwerp, Antwerp - Belgium

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