Mamas Gun

Mamas Gun are a London-based soul and funk band with a sound that also draws on pop, rock and a yacht rock revival feel. The group has six members: Andy Platts, Chris Boot, Cameron Dawson, Terry Lewis, Dave Oliver and Jack Pollitt. Although the band is a group effort, Andy Platts is the frontman and is described as a singer, composer, producer and designer.

Band members and musical background

Each member brings a different background to the group. Bassist Chris Boot is also known as “Professor” Rex Horan and plays violin and piano as well as working in classical music. Keyboard player Dave Oliver, also called Dave “Eighties” Burnell Oliver, has musical roots in Hertfordshire and has studied and played styles ranging from barbershop singing and French horn to jazz, soul and Cuban music. Guitarist Terry Lewis, known as Terry “Spiller” Lewis, studies music in Essex, earns a diploma, teaches guitar and tours with Jools Holland as part of Christopher Holland’s band. Drummer Jack Pollitt, sometimes called “Union” Jack Pollitt, plays drums on Beyoncé’s track “Green Light” from the album B’Day, alongside producer Pharrell Williams.

Andy Platts and the early history of the band

Andy Platts is born in a military hospital in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and grows up moving between schools while absorbing a wide range of music from his family. His father introduces him to the Beatles, the Doors and ELO, while his Filipino mother plays Spanish-influenced guitar. He later wins a place at Liverpool’s LIPA institute. Before leading Mamas Gun, he plays on Corinne Bailey Rae’s debut album and, in 2006, secures a publishing deal with Zomba Music. That deal leads to writing collaborations with Rod Temperton, John Oates, Jed Leiber and Brian Jackson.

Recordings and reception

The band releases their debut album Routes To Riches and later issues a deluxe version in March 2010. The album is co-produced by Julian Simmons of Guillemots, mixed by Jack Joseph Puig and mastered by Bob Ludwig. Its music combines soul and Motown influences with echoes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lewis Taylor and the Average White Band. The band’s first two singles reach BBC Radio 2 playlist status, and the album is named Album of the Week on the Smooth radio network.

Mamas Gun also build a strong following in Japan, where they are described as the most played international act in 2009. They reach No. 3 on the Japanese Billboard sales chart and beat Madonna to No. 1 in the airplay charts. The band’s live show is central to their reputation, and their single “Wishing” appears on the deluxe edition of Routes To Riches alongside “Finger On It”.