Paul Lamb & The King Snakes

Paul Lamb & The King Snakes

Paul Lamb & The King Snakes are a British blues group from London, active since 1990. The band is built around harmonica player Paul Lamb, whose background includes years of performing in clubs in his native North-East of England before later moving to London. He also represents Britain in the World Harmonica Championships and works with a range of visiting blues artists, as well as with his mentor Sonny Terry.

Style and line-up

The group plays blues with elements of boogie, swing and jump blues, and is also identified with harmonica blues and blues rock. The line-up named in the input includes Paul Lamb, Dave Stevens and Chad Strentz. Chad Strentz sings and plays rhythm guitar, and comes from a rockabilly background shaped by artists such as Gene Vincent, Johnny Burnette, Mac Curtis, Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

History and recognition

Over the years, the band receives multiple awards, sells large numbers of albums and is inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame alongside artists including Peter Green and John Mayall. It also builds a reputation for live performances on club and festival stages, with Paul Lamb’s harmonica style described as drawing on his influences while remaining distinctive.

Other members and musical background

The wider history given for the group includes bass player and vocalist Rod Demick, who forms his first band, the Vibros, at the age of eleven before later moving on to Wheels in Belfast, the only R&B competition there for Van Morrison and Them. Another later member, Mike Thorne, plays drums and is raised on blues by his father Phil; he begins drumming at nine and is influenced by Odie Payne, S.P. Leary, Fred Below and Earl Palmer. Ryan “Junior” Lamb also plays lead guitar in the band from 2007, with his role linked to his guitar ability.

Recordings

The band releases the album Mind Games on Secret Records.