JOHNNY BARRACUDA (vocabulary)
BOMBER (bass)
COL ‘THE DUKE’ FOSTER (rhythm guitar)
SI LEACH (lead guitar)
SWERVE (keys)
AGE BLACKWELL (Drums)SOHO DUKES would like you to believe they started life as a nineteenth-century drinking club. They’d very much like you to believe that it was while on a crawl around the taverns of ol’ London Town that BOMBER (bass) and JOHNNY BARRACUDA (vocabulary) first crossed the weaving paths of COL ‘THE DUKE’ FOSTER (rhythm guitar) and AGE BLACKWELL (drums). They’d love you to believe that the club folded only when rocketing ale prices and the admission of two new members – SI LEACH (lead guitar) and the enigmatic SWERVE (keys) – raised the cost of a round to unsociable levels. They’d definitely like you to believe that it was around his time that Col threw a guitar strap over his shoulder and the band was born. Only some of this is true.What is definitely true is that Bomber and Johnny have indeed known each other for years. They were both members of MONTERREZ, who in 1987 – at the Marquee Club in London’s Wardour Street – opened for GUNS N’ ROSES on two occasions. Yeah. That one’s definitely true. They have stories. You should ask them.Hailing from London and the South-East, SOHO DUKES were actually formed in 2017. Since then, they’ve gigged tirelessly and boisterously, and released two albums independently, ‘BAR FIGHTS & TUPPENNY UPRIGHTS’ (in 2021) and ‘GOLDEN AGE OF THE BARBER’S CHAIR’ (2024). Both albums have attracted glowing reviews, drawing comparisons with such 1970’s heavyweights as The Rolling Stones, Small Faces, Mott The Hoople and Heavy Metal Kids.
A new album, ‘NIGHTHAWKS, ACROBATS AND EVERYTHING UNDER THE MOON’ is set to follow at the end of 2025. Featuring guest appearances from Spike (QUIREBOYS) and Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell (ex-BAD COMPANY), it’s the Dukes’ most accomplished work yet. To be distributed by Cargo Records, the album’s release is planned to coincide with a November / December UK tour as support to QUIREBOYS.
‘REMINISCENT OF OLD MASTERS SUCH AS THE FACES AND THE HEAVY METAL KIDS … ALL GREAT FUN’ – DAVE REYNOLDS (ROCK CANDY MAGAZINE)
‘THEIR COLOURFUL BRAVADO WAS IRRESISTIBLE’ – DAVE LING (CLASSIC ROCK)
‘LONDON ROYALTY … DELIGHTFULLY ECCENTRIC – SIMON POULTER (NME)
Take A Trip Down Soho Way
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