The Nimmo Brothers

The Nimmo Brothers

The Nimmo Brothers are a British blues rock group from Glasgow, Scotland. The band centres on brothers Stevie Nimmo and Alan Nimmo, who draw on the blues boom of the 1960s and on artists such as Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Their music combines original songs with a modern blues style shaped by that influence.

Career

The brothers first appear under the name The Blackwater Blues Band, releasing Breaking out the Blues. Their first album as The Nimmo Brothers is Moving On, released in 1998, and this is followed by Coming Your Way, which begins a long-running relationship with Armadillo Music. With this period they move into the forefront of the British and European blues scene and receive awards at the British Blues Connection Awards in 2002 for best UK blues album and best UK blues band.

In 2003 they release their first acoustic album, New Moon over Memphis, a recording that places more emphasis on vocals and songwriting. They later present this material in Charleston, South Carolina at the Low Country Blues Bash, where the performance receives two standing ovations and leads to an on-stage invitation from US blues artist Debbie Davis.

After concentrating on solo projects, the duo release the live album Live at Cottiers in 2006, recorded in Glasgow in 2003. They continue with Picking up the Pieces, promoted with Matt Beable on bass and Craig Blundell on drums.

Style and significance

The Nimmo Brothers are known for original compositions, strong arrangements and a sound rooted in modern blues rock. Their early work shows considerable energy and technical ability, while later releases add more songwriting maturity and an acoustic side to the group’s catalogue. They remain associated with live performances across the UK, Europe and the US.