Artist description THE CONVULSIONS have developed a repertoire comprising 1960’s soul, RnB, soul jazz, , and British RnB, played with a 1990’s punk rock energy and incendiary inventiveness. This sound is the dream come true for founding member Benjamin Ruth, ex-pat from Lancaster, England, who arrived in Chicago in 1993 to learn more about the roots of urban blues, 50’s rock and roll, and 60’s soul/RnB. A top notch, highly acclaimed band comprising some of Chicago’s finest instrumentalists, a savvy listener can detect echoes of Booker T. & the MG’s, Willie Mitchell, Little Richard, Grant Green, the Yardbirds, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and even James Brown, in their energy enriched original compositions. The band comprises a core of bass, drums, guitar, Hammond organ/harmonica, all topped off with a ripping horn section. An explosive stage presence, and upbeat tempos mark all their shows. Their enthusiasm has paved the way for a musical exchange with the UK two years in the running. The Chicago Music Explosion (Chicagomusicexplosion.com) saw 6 Chicago acts touring England in 2001 with 5 acts touring top venues again in 2002. So successful was that tour that 2003 is already being planned (18 shows booked over the Christmas holidays alone). The band first found its groove in the informal and raucous back room Tuesday night sessions at the Lyons’ Den – voted the best live music rooms in Chicago, but has now found phenomenal support in the UK. Currently, the band is receiving air play in England, Spain, Germany, Argentina, and in the US (West Virginia, Chicago, and Texas), and has been selected by Shuteye Records in Atlanta for distribution of their single, “Swear its Not You”, to 420 US college radio stations. This band has played blues clubs (The Cotton Club, Lee’s Unleaded, Buddy Guy’s Legends), folk clubs (Old Town School of Folk Music), and rock clubs (The Note, The Lyons’ Den, Double Door, Martyr’s etc). Not to mention a ton of great clubs in the UK. All with spasming energy!

Music Style BRITISH RNB, MOD, FUNK, ROCK, ALTERNATIVE, ACID JAZZ

Musical Influences LITTLE RICHARD, HOWLING WOLF, JIMMY SMITH, YARDBIRDS

Similar Artists JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION, YARDBIRDS

Artist History SEE ABOVE

Group Members Benjamin Ruth: Harmonica/Hammond Organ/Vocals Yaron Goldman: Alto Saxophone Matt Baumann: Drums Rocco Labriola: Guitar/vcls Darin Mullins: Bass/vcls

Instruments HARMONICA, GUITAR, BASS, DRUMS, SAXOPHONE, KEYBOARD, VOCALS

Albums SHAKEN AND DISTURBED, COME AND GET IT!

Press Reviews Hard gin soaked, smoke stained Chicago blues rock with soul! Andy Valeri, Big Beef Records. “The live show is that by which we compare every other band we look at.” Rob Gillis of Waterdog records. "the hottest, punkiest, funky British Rhythm 'n Blues available in the USA. This ROCKS!!!!!!!".... Berlin DJ Lord Litter. “My favorite Blues Punk Band” Buzz Kilman, WCKG . “Combination of Mick Jagger and David Byrne . . . spastic harp . . .I was instantly riveted” Mike Harris, Editor Chief, Illinois Entertainer. “With a voice reminiscent of the great Howlin’ Wolf and a harp style somewhere between Junior Wells and Joe Satriani . . .” Mike O’Cull, Chicago Gigs “Frenzied punk-funk fusion with attitude, this bebop meets Godzilla with harp-o-batics from hell” Judge Jones, UK Blues Free Press “ . .their horn section and harmonica playing,had the place jumping.” Bristol Post

Additional Info CONTACT: CONVULSIONS@CONVULSIONS.COM

Location CHICAGO, IL - USA

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