Altamont

Altamont is a Rock, Rhythm & Blues band whose musical focus is heavily on the R&B music of the Stax Records acts and the Blues-greats of the Atlantic Records artists of the past, with a big dose of the blues-based Rock’N’Roll that came out of England as well.

Formed from local Birmingham musicians that had often shared the stage with each other in several different bands over the years, they decided to put it all together in a band whose song list that is unlike any other in the “Magic City”…

Rich Albright & Phillip Johnson played for years with the legendary Muddy King, where Bob Harrison was a frequent guest vocalist & playing blues harp like no other. Rich & Phillip then moved on to play in the local favorite band Livewire where they met up with Mike Eskew… Add to the mix, guitarist Brian Haynes who among other experience did regular “sub” duties for bands such bands as Roosevelt Franklin, South Saturn Delta, etc…

The song list includes songs by artists such as The Rolling Stones, Howlin' Wolf, The Beatles, Little Walter, The Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Junior Wells, CCR, Jimmy Reed, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Traffic, Blind Faith, Van Morrison, The Doors, Free, Black Crowes, ZZ Top, Stevie Wonder, Cream, Faces, Eric Clapton, The Yardbirds… I think you get the picture!

This compelling mix of experienced musicians immediately felt a potent musical chemistry together and began playing shows together in the Fall of 2008. Audience response was instantly agreeable. Thus has begun the Altamont experience…

• Bob Harrison – Like Kane in “Kung-Fu”, Bob wandered out the deserts of Minnesota on a journey of self-discovery, and along the way fights injustice. Armed only with his deceptively diminutive Tin Sandwich and the teachings of the harp masters that came before him, Bob has come prepared to snatch the pebble from your hand.

• Brian Haynes – Blisteringly riff-a-riffic, Brian Haynes anchors his side of the stage like a shimmering blues-rock sorcerer. And thereupon, he unleashes torrents of piercing blue notes that reduce the masses to pulsating globules of satisfied goo.

• Rich “Boom-Boom” Albright – Rich is a brilliant contradiction: thundering funk low-end erupts under his hands from his Fender Bass whilst whiskey-kissed high harmonies emanate from his mouth. But, it makes perfect sense really. Because Rich can do whatever he wants.

• Mike Eskew – Is there a harder working dude on the B-Ham music scene? Um, no. Mike’s devastating twin-axe attack (Keys and Guitar) and vocals ensures that. And now that he has fallen under the spell of Altamont, what shall become of him? She is a dark and demanding mistress – we shall have to wait and see.

• Phillip Johnson – Phillips mastery of the skins is only rivaled by his dominion over the non sequitur. He is definitely a musician’s musician, which explains why he’s the go-to cat who’s got your back when it comes time to lay it down, brother.