The Juke Joints

The Juke Joints

The Juke Joints are a Dutch blues-rock group from the Netherlands, active since the 1990s, and known for high-energy performances built around blues, rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly and Chicago blues. The line-up includes Peter Kempe on lead vocals, drums, mandolin and acoustic guitar; Michel “Boogie Mike” Staat on guitar; Sonny Boy van der Broek on harmonica, vocals and accordion; and Peter van Merode on bass. Kempe writes most of the band’s songs.

Recording and releases

The group has released at least ten albums, including Let It Roll, which is described as the band’s tenth album. That record includes original material and covers, among them Steve Earle’s “Steve’s Last Ramble”, Rory Gallagher’s “Bullfrog Blues”, Marcia Ball’s “Louella”, Don Bryant’s “99 Pounds” and John Lee Hooker’s “I’m In The Mood”. It also features guest appearances by Tineke Schoemaker of Barrelhouse and Dutch slide guitarist Marcel Scherpenzeel. Another release, 20 Years, is a double album that includes a live CD with special recordings featuring Mark Wenner of The Nighthawks and Mississippi harmonica player Willie Foster.

Style and reputation

The Juke Joints draw on a broad range of blues forms, with their sound also including rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly. Their recordings are marked by a lively, hard-driving approach, and Kempe also performs “Going To My Hometown” in his regional dialect on one of the bonus tracks from Let It Roll. The band’s fanclub has been running for ten years at the point when that album appears.

Touring and live appearances

The group tours widely in Europe and the United States, with regular appearances in the Netherlands, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium, Latvia and Curaçao. They are the first European band to perform at the Delta Blues Festival in Greenville alongside B.B. King, Dr John and Little Feat, and they also play at B.B. King’s club in Memphis. They share stages with artists including Kim Wilson, Buddy Guy, Johnny Copeland, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, The Paladins, Walter Trout, Rod Piazza, The Nighthawks, Bernard Allison, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Sean Costello and Roomful of Blues.