Blacktop Deluxe

Blacktop Deluxe is a trio formed in Aix-en-Provence, France, active since 2007. It is presented as a British blues rock and hard rock act, with a sound centred on electric guitar, bass and drums, though its stated origin places it in France.

Line-up

The group comprises Keith Howe on guitar and vocals, Alan Ibbotson on drums, and Tim Chapple on bass. Howe is listed as having previously played in Blue on Black, while Ibbotson and Chapple are both listed as former members of Devils Creek.

Style and influences

The band’s material is described around the idea of “Tomorrow’s Blues Today”, and its focus is on blues rock with a strong hard rock edge. Howe’s playing draws on early exposure to Eric Clapton with Cream and on guitarists including Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix, Pat Travers, Rory Gallagher, Paul Kossoff and Jeff Healey. He also names Walter Trout as a major influence, alongside David Grissom, Gary Moore, Freddy King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Mike Bloomfield, John Mayer, Phil Brown and Peter Haycock.

Keith Howe

Howe describes guitar as his main instrument and emphasises playing with passion and honesty. His main instruments include a Fender Bonnie Raitt signature Stratocaster, a standard sunburst Stratocaster used for slide work, a Kenny Wayne Shepherd signature Stratocaster, a Mighty Mite Stratocaster, a Mexican 1970s reissue Stratocaster fitted with Bare Knuckle Irish Tour pickups, and a Martin D18. He uses Elite Strings light gauge and plays through Mesa Boogie amplifiers, including a 35-watt 2x12 Maverick Combo, a 2x12 closed-back extension cabinet, a 1969 Marshall 50-watt head with 4x12 cabinet, and a Budda Superdrive 18 head. His effects are limited to a Cry Baby wah, a Boss Chorus and a DD3 delay.

Alan Ibbotson

Ibbotson is born in Leeds, Yorkshire. He starts drumming at 11 after hearing a live drum kit, then studies with ex big-band drummers and works through orchestral, jazz, folk, pop and rock repertoire. His early influences include Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Ginger Baker, Ian Paice, John Bonham and Carl Palmer. After moving to Cornwall, he plays with local groups and club bands, gaining further experience through gigs, concerts and cabaret backing work. He also absorbs Latin American dance and ethnic rhythms through music by Santana, Sergio Mendes and Osibisa. He has performed in the UK, the USA and Germany and has supported Walter Trout, Wilko Johnson, Larry Miller, Joe Bonamassa, The Hamsters, Thunder, Peter Frampton and Deep Purple. His kit includes Natal, Black Panther, Yamaha, Iron Cobra, Sabian, Paiste, AKG and Shure equipment, with monitoring and cases by Behringer, Galaxy and Protection Racket.

Tim Chapple

Chapple is born and raised in Cornwall. He first becomes interested in music in the early 1970s, listening to Slade, David Bowie and Mott the Hoople, then discovers the blues by working back from Ten Years After and The Groundhogs. The punk scene of 1976 gives him an opportunity to play live and form bands, and with the Vendettas he develops a lasting interest in performance. He works in radio and television and gigs extensively with Brides Mother, Zambula, The Any Excuse Soul Stars, Union Jane, The SGT Project and Devils Creek. His influences include Gerry McAvoy, Alan Lancaster, Gordon Rowley, Burke Shelley, Duck Dunn, Leo Lyons, Mel Schacher, James Jamerson and Dee Dee Ramone. He uses a Peavey T40 and Peavey Fury bass, Orange and Ashdown heads, Trace Elliot and Genz Benz cabinets, and Rotosound strings.