Joey the Lips gigs are performed as a 'Show', rather than solely a rendition of the music. the band enjoys it that way and we hope that comes across to our audiences. It's now a huge 17 years 'on the road' during which the band has played over 1000 gigs throughout the UK and Europe across a huge variety of venues. From TV chat shows to headlining to a 10,000 audience at music festivals. From being booked to support Girls Aloud and Will Young to performing at the British Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2011 and at celebrity weddings, most recently for Eamonn Holmes & Ruth Langsford.
After forming in 1994 the band was soon booked for a spot on tour with American soul legend Edwin Starr followed by release of their debut album Soul Fiction in 1997. In 2000 the band performed a Live medley on national BBC1 with Atomic Kitten & Martine McCutcheon for Children in Need. In 2001 they were resident band on Carlton TV's 'Langsford Late' TV show - a series of 8 chat shows with Ruth Langsford. In between the band performed and recorded a promotional video for the BBC on the set of Noel Edmonds House Party at BBC Television Centre, London, and then finished work on a number of projects including a recording of Midnight Hour with another American soulster, Geno Washington.
Other guests who've joined the band on stage include Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet and M People/Eurythmics/Lisa Stansfield saxophonist Snake Davis. International appearances include gigs in various European countries including a 3 day appearance at the Guinness Jazz/Music Festival in Cork, Ireland in 1999 and 2002. The bands' latest CD - 'Firing On All Cylinders' features 16 live tracks and this release brought them the accolade of 'Artist of The Month' at Virgin Megastore, Plymouth. In November 2005 BBC1 again commissioned the band to appear live on TV for Children in Need. More recently the band have been booked to support Girls Aloud and in 2010 perform as support act for Will Young and play for Eamonn Holmes & Ruth Langsford at their wedding.
Jimmy Alderson fronts the band and shares vocals with Naomi Tanton and Kat Savage. Naomi joined the band in 2000 after working professionally with national trio Fresh and at Channel 4 on their Music Watch programme. Jimmy's early music career as a professional vocalist was by way of working internationally in Europe as well as maintaining a regular spot with his own soul-based outfit at the BBC Club, London. After relocating to Devon he joined Joey The Lips in 2003. Kat is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Contemporary Music where she gained a degree in vocal studies. Kat has worked with Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers as well as Skunk Anansie and Carleen Anderson.
The rhythm section is driven by the talented Alex Smith, pro drummer and drum teacher. Alex was taught by Ralph Salmins at London College of Music (Drumtech) and has since worked as a session man with many UK bands, for BBC Radio, and appeared at Glastonbury and many West End shows, also featuring on Radio 1's Jo Whiley/Pete Tong show. Guitar pro Steve Hood sets the audiences alight with his fiery lead breaks and is complemented by funky ex-session bassman Simon Westaway and keyboard wizard Steve Northcott. The band is essentially a very visual live act and features a kicking horn section that really don't keep still for a second! - John George on Tenor Sax, Jamie Dove on trombone and trumpet legend Robbie Rogers.
Originally formed as a soul outfit the band has since diversified and whilst Soul is still the staple diet we now describe the show as 'Funky Soul, Blues & Disco Revue! Today's set is very diverse; from 'Gimme Some Lovin' (Spencer Davis Group) to Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love'. From 'River Deep Mountain High' to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' and the band's storming finale of the B52's Love Shack - with a heavy metal medley thrown in!
Find out the inside story on all the band members - nicknames, influences, inside leg measurements, you name it...
- 2011
- Performed at British Formula 1 Grand Prix, Silverstone
- 3 gigs at Guinness Jazz Festival, Cork, Ireland
- 2010
- Support act for Will Young
- Celebrity weddings for OK & Hello magazines (Eammon Holmes & Ruth Langsford etc)
- Performing at various UK music festivals
- 2009
- Performed at various UK music festivals
- Recorded Live DVD
- 2008
- Headline at Filham Music Festival
- Performed at Lanhydrock/Maumbury/Exmouth Music Festivals
- 2007
- Signed to support Girls Aloud on final leg of UK tour
- Headline at Shugborough Music Festival
- 2006
- Signed to All-Electric Productions www.allelectricproductions.co.uk
- 2005
- Release 'Firing On All Cylinders' Live cd at Virgin Megastore, Plymouth
- Awarded 'Artist of the Month' for September at Virgin Megastore
- Awarded 'Band Of The Year' by Torbay's 'Herald Express' newspaper
- Live televised outside broadcast for BBC1 and Children in Need
- 2004
- Recorded promotional DVD
- Performed to 20,000 at Plymouth Argyle's stadium
- 2003
- Joined on stage by Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet
- Joined on stage by M People/Eurythmics/Lisa Stansfield saxophonist Snake Davis
- Horn section appear on national BBC1's 'Down To Earth' programme
- 2002
- 3 day appearance at Guinness Jazz/Music Festival in Cork, Ireland
- 2001
- Resident Band on Carlton TV's 'Langsford Late' chat show. An 8 week run of chat shows hosted by Ruth Langsford
- Recorded 'Midnight Hour' with American soulster Geno Washington
- 2000
- Live performance on national BBC1 performing medley with Atomic Kitten & Martine McCutcheon for Children In Need
- 1999
- Featured on American soul star Edwin Starr's UK tour
- Released 'Joey The Lips Live' CD
- 3 day appearance at Guinness Jazz/Music Festival in Cork, Ireland
- 1998
- Recorded BBC promotional video on the set of Noel Edmonds House Party at BBC Television Centre, London
- 1997
- Released 'Soul Fiction' debut CD