Xander and the Peace Pirates

 I first spotted Xander and the Peace Pirates by chance, when they appeared briefly as a news Item on a North West TV news bulletin (they are from Liverpool). The story focussed on the fact that Keith, the lead guitarist had been born with only one hand and by ignoring that fact and most of the negative attitudes he received at school about his ambition to be a guitarist, he had become an extremely accomplished player. So good, that he and his band had been picked to open a stadium show for Bon Jovi. I was suitably impressed and sought them out.

 

It took me a while to do so by which time the Xander Brothers, Stu and Keith had disbanded the Peace Pirates and launched a double act together comprising electric and acoustic guitars and a heavy dose of loop pedals. They were great and subsequently played for us a number of times in that format.

 

Then Gibson Guitars got to hear of them and invited them to play at the worlds biggest musical trade show to demonstrate their guitars. From there things really started to open up for them. It's a tale worth telling but the upshot is that they re-formed the Peace Pirates, became major endorsees of Gibson, recorded an album, and came back to Bluefunk with the band. They are a superb outfit, really superb, and I am completely delighted they are coming to our Little Big Weekend. Don't miss.

 

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