The Wisemen

The Wisemen Bio:

The Wisemen are a Lancaster, UK-based band evolved from an acoustic duo formed in ’99. They have self-released 2 Eps and 2 mini-albums between 2000-2004. These have been largely acoustic based.

The Wisemen’s CD’s are available in real shops and online stores across the UK, (“Record Of The Week” 05/07/04 in Piccadilly Records) as well as in the USA – www.gooddogmusic.com

The end of 2004 saw the release of “26 Songs” - an acoustic anthology featuring all releases to date(as they are mostly sold-out), plus bonus tracks. Details can be seen on our website, and at www.picadillyrecords.co.uk

When playing electrically, the Wisemen are more than capable of rocking out, with hints of psychedelia and soul. When playing as an acoustic group, the instruments include guitar, mandolin, banjo, autoharp, fiddle, and harmonica. Obviously, these instruments encourage the music to lean more towards folk-bluegrass-country-blues stylings, albeit with an “alt” stuck in front of it.

As well as playing numerous local gigs, the Wisemen have played several gigs across the UK, including London, (Hope & Anchor, Oliver’s) and Glasgow (Barfly).

In December, the Wisemen played at “Hell’s Ditch”, a monthly alt country night, Fleet St., Liverpool . The Liverpool-based fanzine/e-zine, Vanity Project had this to say: “The Wisemen do fit into the remit of the night but yet also all around it. No easy slot for these chaps. Before nearly every song, fans of particular musical genres are asked to identify themselves, and are subsequently rewarded with a tune that fits into it. However they never stray from being coherent, accessible and captivating. Richard Turner’s vocals seesaw like a warped Andy Williams record and for this alone, we love the Wisemen here at VP.”

The Wisemen have now been added to the artists on Liverpool’s Regular Beat Recordings, who are to release a split ep with us in April/May 2005. We are particularly happy about this, as it will be available on 7” vinyl as well as CD! See www.regularbeat.com

The Wisemen have just played with Manchester alt.country band Anna Kashfi, as several gig-swaps in the autumn/winter, and are to play with them again, and with related band Last Harbour this May.

The local university radio station, Bailrigg FM has interviewed the Wisemen several times, as well as featuring us in two live acoustic sessions. We are also regularly played on the Friday evening show.
Influential underground DJ Jimmy Possession has also featured the Wisemen on his online radio show.
Rootstime, the Belgian magazine and radio station have featured and reviewed the Wisemen this year.

We have recently supported Philadelphia’s MPE Band, both in June and August), and also supported Chicago’s Ghettobillies in November.

In the press, Angelica’s Holly Ross described a recent Wisemen gig thus: “the band were truly wonderful…with a set as colourful, wide and impressive as a peacock’s tail!”

Vanity Project had this to say: “on these demos, sent in advance of a more official release, there is certainly wisdom inherent. The mandolin, banjo and accordion featured should give you the basic idea, as they circumnavigate the dusty country of Iron & Wine and Will Oldham, a delicate rock n' roll twang and blues-folk grit stuck in their shoe. Their songwriting is top notch, particularly on the wonderful 'your tricks', with both melancholia and a jovial perkiness in their arsenal. I can't wait to hear more.”

A review of “26 Songs” said:
“Culled from previous EPs and miscellaneous recordings over the past four years, you get the Faces with a nod more toward folk than rock. Constructed from guitars, banjo, mandolin, autoharp and several other similar instruments, it’s best described as the kind of music that floats across the fields on summer nights” Americana UK, November 2004.

We are shortly to record our debut electric material, which has quite a different sound to our previous recordings. (There are drums for a start!)