This month we talk again to The Mustangs' blues harp player Derek Kingaby about The Band and also his early memories of blues in the UK.

Q: Hi Derek, it's been quite a year. What have the highlights been for you?

A. Signing for Blues Matters, the release of Split Decision, touring the NW, performing live on Radio Lancashire and at the Colne R&B Festival. I am begining to believe it's not just all a dream.

Q: Well let's go back a bit first, what are your memories of the UK blues scene in the 60s?

A. I confess I led a sheltered life back then (still do but you can live in hope!). I loved The Beatles, Stones, Manfred Man and Cyril Davies, to name but a few. I realise now that a common feature of the music I loved was the input of the blues harmonica. I used to visit Eel Pie Island in Twickenham. I recently found my little red passport to Eelpiland No 24791 which contained the following message inside -

We request and require in the name of His Excellency Prince Pan, all those whom it may concern to give the bearer of this passport DJ Kingaby any assistance he may require in his/her lawful business of Jiving and generally Cutting a Rug.
Given under our hand this 1st day of January 1966

PAN
PRINCE OF TRADS

We were simple folk in those days!

I was also a regular at the Ealing Club as well as Bungie's Coffee Bar in Soho, although the latter was more folk than R&B. It was possible then to park in London, although as I found out, it was a long walk to the car pound in the early hours of the morning and an unwelcome expense reclaiming your car!

The 60's were fantastic. New music emerging, not just from Liverpool but from every part of the UK. You should realise that there were no dedicated Music channels and the BBC's Ready Steady Go was a total innovation watched by millions. New songs exploded onto the scene and the top 20 had real meaning when everyone saw the same show.

Q: Did you have any idea at the time that it was something you'd one day be a part of?

A. Absolutely no idea, I think the expression "In your dreams" sums up my thoughts.

Q: Did any performers stand out for you at the time? Did you think the Stones might still be rocking after all these years?

A. Those I have already mentioned, but I was never a devoted follower of particular bands, except of course The Beatles and the Stones, as we all were. As for the Stones still performing some 30-40 years on, totally unimagineable!

Q: Coming back to the present day, how do you see the blues scene being different now?

A. The pure blues scene probably isn't that different, you can see all the same old faces in the crowds, supping beer and getting off on the same 12-bar blues. A real time warp. As for R&B, which evolved pretty quickly into Brit Rock, that still rolls on but is far less innovative than it used to be. There are some great bands around today but they tend to be short lived and over produced.

Q: Are there any current bands you rate?

A. Yes, The Mustangs! I genuinely think our 3 CDs contain some great numbers that are fresh and bear comparison with the material that emerged in the 60's. I never got off on Oasis, all their songs sound the same, sad imitations of John Lennon. I am not too taken with the modern music output, though there are a few exceptions. I quite like Muse and the Kooks but perhaps I am falling into the grumpy old man category, jaded and reminiscing about past glories.

Q: What makes The Mustangs so unique on the circuit now?

A. We deliver a variety of good songs with punch and a recogniseable sound.

Q: How do you think you would have fared back in the 60s?

A. My guess is that, with a measure of luck, we would have had a modest hit with one or two singles and then it's anybody's guess what that might have led to.

Q: As individuals, you each bring something different to The Band. How would you describe each other member's contribution?

A. Adam, as the front man and a huge musical talent, undeniably holds The Band together and lifts The Mustangs out of the average. His ego is second to none but on the long hard road that is rock and roll he has learnt not to take himself too seriously, and so too have the other members of The Band. Ben is the straight man, or at least that is what you might think, but to those that know him....he's the darling of the girls, enough said! Jon is the enigma, the quiet man hiding an articulate and fiesty character. If you want to know what he brings to The Band, take the time to watch and listen to the drums providing the motor which powers The Mustangs' songs.

Q: We hear writing is well under way for the new album. Can you give us any early clues? Is the new acoustic set a nod to a softer, mellower new album?

A. All I can tell you is that I can't wait to get into the studio and hear the material we have worked on to date move to its final cut. I believe the songs have great potential and hooks to die for! We will begin playing them live in the new year in the run up to recording in the Spring.

Q: What are you and The Band looking forward to most in 2007?

A. Hopefully wider recognition, bigger stages and release of another CD we can be proud of. Personally I still find it hard to believe that The Mustangs, if we include the up-coming CD, will have delivered 48 new songs. Another tour, possibly in Holland, is being investigated and if we can get that together, I have no doubt that would be one of the highlights of 2007. We shall see what fate delivers!

Thanks Derek.