British Blues rockers, The Dirt Road Band, made their first visit to the legendary 100 Club on London's famous Oxford Street tonight. Each band member has played this venue many times, but never together, until now! The band was formed in 2022 by ex-Dr. Feelgood guitarist Steve Walwyn. Upon leaving Dr. Feelgood after thirty-two years of active service, Steve decided he wanted to front his own Blues Rock trio with his good friend Horace Panter (The Specials) on bass and Ted Duggan (Badfinger/The Beat/The Selecter/Desmond Dekker/Chevy/Banco De Gaia) on drums.

Steve Walwyn has an extensive CV having served his time playing guitar with such luminaries as Steve Marriott and DTs, Chevy, The Mosquitos, Roger Chapman, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Big Town Playboys, Red On Red, and Dr. Feelgood. It was whilst Steve Marriott and DTs were supporting Dr. Feelgood in 1989 that Dr. Feelgood's founder and vocalist, Lee Brilleaux, noticed Steve’s amazing guitar chops and asked him to join Dr. Feelgood. He spent the next thirty-two years with them going on to feature on such great albums as ‘Live in London’ (1990), ‘Primo’ (1991), ‘The Feelgood Factor’ (1993), ‘Down at the Doctors’ (1994), ‘On The Road Again’ (1996), ‘Chess Masters’ (2000), ‘Speeding Thru Europe’ (2003) and ‘Repeat Prescription’ (2006). Steve’s debut solo album ‘Instinct To Survive’ was released in 2015 and contains a selection of self-written songs and instrumentals.

The support band for the evening’s entertainment was The Milk Men. A high-octane Blues Rock band in a similar vein to Dr. Feelgood. The band features Jamie Smy on vocals, Mike Roberts on drums, Adam Norsworthy on guitar and Lloyd Green on bass. Lloyd is the son of legendary Pirates guitarist, Mick Green, who sadly passed away in 2010. The Milk Men are currently on the road promoting their new album 'Spin The Bottle'.

After a short break, The Dirt Road Band stormed through a set that included obscure Blues covers and a scattering of new compositions which are set to appear on their forthcoming debut album. The sound in the room was suitably loud, with the band locked in, swinging and tight as a button! The set featured tracks such as 'Dirt Road Blues', 'Rollin' & Tumblin', 'Lock & Key', 'Tulane', 'Gin Soaked Woman', 'Sell My Monkey', 'Bullfrog Blues', 'Second Hand Man', 'Leaving Trunk', 'Instinct To Survive', 'Midnight Rider' and 'Sweet Louise'. Legendary Blockheads/Wilko Johnson Band bassist Norman Watt-Roy guested on bass for the last song of the set, 'Route 66'. The Milk Men's guitarist, Adam Norsworthy, also guested earlier in the set. It was quite clear to see that these guys on the stage were having a ball playing together and that warmth rubbed off on the audience. Although the room was only half full, the atmosphere was jubilantly electric and a good time was had by all!

Steven C. Gilbert