Ken Pustelnik's GROUNDHOGS

Way back in the halcyon days there came a trio of 'superheroes' known as THE GROUNDHOGS. Riding the blues boom into uncharted territory, they gained a reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts around and are influential and inspirational to this day. The classic line-up of Tony McPhee, Ken Pustelnik and Pete Cruickshank toured the world for 6 years straight, including seminal shows with greats like The Rolling Stones, John Lee Hooker, John Mayall and Canned Heat and at the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. In this time they produced 4 renowned albums: 'BLUES OBITUARY', 'THANK CHRIST FOR THE BOMB', 'SPLIT' and 'WHO WILL SAVE THE WORLD?'

Now Ken brings you a new and exciting line-up - KEN PUSTELNIK'S GROUNDHOGS, playing classic material with verve and power and giving performances of energy and excitement that are as fresh and relevant to the modern audience as the originals were back in the day.

KEN PUSTELNIK'S GROUNDHOGS line-up are: -

Ken Pustelnik

From what has now become known as "The Classic Line-Up" of The Hogs, playing the Drummer role from the first Groundhogs album release and on through all their most successful releases: "Scratching The Surface" (1968), "Blues Obituary" (1969), "Thank Christ For The Bomb" (1970), "Split" (1971) and "Who Will Save The World" (1972). Ken has chosen musicians who can do justice to the material in The Groundhogs catalogue.

Latch Manghat

Bass player in the British band Gonga, Guitarist/Vocalist in The Rollbars and now the Bassist for Groundhogs. His style is heavy, dynamic and hard-driving, a perfect foil to the drumming in the rhythm section.

Sol Latif

A highly original Guitarist, Sol has a style which naturally lends itself to interpreting the unorthodox guitar parts which are part of the bands unique sound. He is also the Bass player in The Rollbars.

Chris D'avoine

From the band Mean Blue Monsters, formerly of the band Shiva and lead guitar player with Steve Payne and more, Chris is the highly skilled Guitarist and Vocalist of Groundhogs, an important element in a band rated for their standard of song writing as well as their instrumental ability.

“As the set progresses from straight blues and into something a little more progressive…They have the audience in the palm of their hands” - MUSICOHM.COM

“They pretty much tore shit up and blew me away…one of the best acts at the entire festival” ORANGEAMPS.COM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on2W_aWnUKA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxHdcjfBLo4

Paradise 9 are a four- piece rock band based in London and Brighton. Formed in 1997 by Gregg McKella, they released their first album “Showtime” in 1998.

To date they have 3 studio albums, the latest ‘Science Fiction Reality’, released in April 2021 on Flicknife Records, and previously with ‘Showtime’ (1998) and ‘Take Me to the Future’ (2013), a live CD ‘Live at the Amersham Arms 2014’, a DVD ‘Live at On-board the Craft 2013’ and their 20th Anniversary 1997 ~ 2017 CD.

Having played many great festivals including Glastonbury Festival, A New Day Festival, Cambridge Rock Festival, Bearded Theory, Kozfest, Green Gathering, Small World to name a few they will going out on the road again in 2022 to promote the new album.

Paradise 9 are now;

Gregg McKella on vocals, guitar, glissando guitar, clarinet and space FX’s (Glissando Guitar Orchestra/Judge Trev Band/ex Image Wot Image/ex-Dreamfield)

Tyrone Thomas on lead guitar and backing vocals (SpacedOgs/Jeanette Murphy Band/ ex Image Wot Image / ex-Alternative TV)

Neil Matthars on bass (ex-Casual Affair)

Wayne Collyer (ex-Deep Skin/ex-Men Are Dead) on drums.

Photos courtesy © Richie Mountain

‘Tremendous space rock with an intelligent and optimistic zen-punk message’ It’s Psychedelic Baby! Magazine

‘If Paradise 9 had been around back in the day, then surely their space-punk vibe would have made them great stablemates for the likes of Inner City Unit, Underground Zero, and yes, Hawkwind themselves, on the 1980s Flicknife roster. Fast forward to 2021, and how fantastic to see them join the resurgent Flicknife label now! Sharp indeed!’ Ian Abrahams, RC

“Paradise 9's punk spirit and angry, disillusioned social commentary does much to challenge popular stereotypes of psychedelic music….” Kim Harkin - Bliss aquamarine webzine