Innes Sibun

Innes began playing the guitar at the age of twelve, and by the age of fifteen was regularly gigging with any band that would have him, playing blues, punk, jazz, folk and rock music. Although never formally trained in music, blagging gigs with jazz players old enough to be his father gave him a solid background in the basics of music. His other early teacher was a well worn copy of B.B. King Live at the Regal, that was pinched from a second hand shop in Bath. This formed the basics of his playing style.

In 1990, he formed the Innes Sibun Blues Explosion & recorded an album "That's What The Blues Can Do" which was produced by Mike Vernon, the man responsible for Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac & Eric Clapton. The album which was released on the bands own label, MMF. Records, was voted UK's best blues album of 1991 by RTE. In 1993, Innes was asked if he would be interested in joining Robert Plant's band to tour the "Fate of Nations" record, so not expecting to get the gig, Innes went off to Birmingham to a small rehearsal studio & played blues with Robert, Charlie Jones, Michael Lee Oliver Woods. A week later he got a phone call to say that he had the gig & a list of songs to learn for rehearsals before the tour began in Miami. The tour played through the US for four months including a spot on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno & on MTV. This was followed by the European leg of the tour, then back to the US to play the Hollywood Rock Festival in Sao Paulo & Rio, then onto Venezuela, Chile, Argentina & Mexico.

On returning from the tour, Innes was approached by Victory Records in New York with a view to recording an album for them. This turned out to be "Superstitious" which was recorded at Roadhouse in London & the Show Place in New Jersey. The line up for this recording became the basis of the Innes Sibun Band with Steve Robinson, a brilliant singer who Innes had wanted to work with for a long time, John Baggott the only member of the Blues Explosion, provided Hammond & piano (John is now a member of Portishead), bass player Jerry Soffe & Drummer Eddie John made up the rock tight rhythm section.

The band made several tours of Europe to promote this CD, then toured Germany again supporting Roger Chapman & Chris Farlowe. In 1995 the band recorded their second album "Honey Pot" & again toured relentlessly, mainly in Germany where they became a firm favorite on the festival circuit which included playing the Leverkusen Blues Festival which was filmed for German TV. The third album "Stardust" was recorded for Provogue & featured Nick Holland on vocals as a temporary replacement for Steve, & Rich Causon in Hammond. Charlie Jones, bass player with Page & Plant was in the producer's chair. Several tours later Steve returned on vocal duties with the band now slimed down to a four piece (which meant an end to all the organ jokes). Andy Maggs replaced Jerry on bass guitar. In August of 1998 the band played the "After Dark" festival in Germany which was recorded for release as" After Dark" on Provogue. In December 1998 the band went to New York & played with Peter Green, one of Innes's biggest influences.

The band had previously recorded a track for a tribute album for Peter called "Rattlesnake Guitar" which also featured guitar greats like Rory Gallagher, Snowy White & Harvey Mandel. In January 1999, Innes played acoustic with Robert Plant on a tribute album to Skip Spence of the band Moby Grape, the result of this session can be heard on "More Oar " which also contains tracks by Beck, Tom Waits & P.J. Harvey.

After several grueling years of touring europe the band decided to call it a day & have some rest time, however a call from a friend to play a blues night at a local bar led to Innes getting a new band together to play a residency. The new band consists of Robbie Brian on drums, Dan Inzani on piano & bass duties being shared by Wade Edwards & Duncan Leslie with Innes playing guitar & singing. It wasn't long before the band were being asked to play other venues & recently played at the Trowbridge village pump festival & Gloucester blues festival. In December 2004 they go into the studio to record an album due for release in early April 2005.

A bit about the current band members:-

Rob's been drumming for 23 years and was taught by his father who was a busy jazz drummer in Bath and Bristol through the 1960's.

Rob turned pro in 1990 with Indie band 'The Deep Six' led by singer songwriter Andy West,then joined Hugh Cornwell (ex-The stranglers) and recorded and toured through to 1992.This led to future tours with Roger Cook, Modern English, Coati Mundi (Ex-Kid Creole An The cocununts) and session work at Moles studio in Bath and Real World in Box.

Other session work includes Peter Gabriel, Six By Seven and various 'live' performances with Derek Nash, Jim Mullen and many other jazz soloists visiting the Bristol Bath area.

Joined Innes Sibun in 1998 and has recorded and toured with Innes ever since.

Robbie is endorsed by Sonor Drums and Bosphorous Cymbals.

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