Michael Messer & Second Mind
THIS BAND IS NO LONGER TOURING OR RECORDING (2002 to 2013)
Michael Messer - Vocals, slide and lap steel guitar
Ed Genis - Rhythm guitar and backing vocals
Louie Genis - Turntables
Jerry Soffe - Bass
Simon Price - Drums
"Michael Messer & The Second Mind Band were on stage at the Shepherds Bush Empire. It was encouraging to see so many turn out, but then for those 'in the know', Messer IS King Guitar! Playing from his latest album, the superb Second Mind, (voted 'Best Blues Guitar Album Of The Year' by International Guitar Federation, ahead of Chris Rea, Eric Bibb and Sonny Landreth), Messer and band rocked us and rolled us through an awesome set. His electric slide guitar weaves and duels with the sampling and scratching from Louie Genis's turntable and collection of old blues vinyl.
This is contemporary blues with its heart in US delta country and urban Chicago, but here's something going on that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Blues is a broad church with a firm foundation, it has the robustness to evolve without losing it's soul - and here we have guitar blues at it's most skilful, melodic and creative with the deepest of blue roots. Credit must be given, too, to the Second Mind Band and to Terry Clarke, the writer and co-writer of much of the material the band performs. Together they're a winning combination".
Sue Cavendish - Net Rhythms
"Michael Messer and the Second Mind Band have natural style and originality. The material is fresh contemporary blues with a post war Chicago flavour. Rolling-&-tumbling-slide-guitar-blues presented with a style & capacity only few players can attain. The 17th International Guitar Festival of Great Britain was opened by one of the best guitarists in the world. Michael's self-deprecating manner and pure musicianship shine naturally, a master of his instrument, his music almost creating a genre of his own. If you need to look for analogies there is much here; not just Duane Allman and Ry Cooder, try Moby, Little Axe, even Brian Jones.
With possibly two of the best guitar albums of the 21st century to his credit, 'King Guitar' and 'Second Mind' - Michael's playing will become legendary. The Second Mind Band features DJ Louie Genis, scratching old vinyl and atmospheric loops, Jerry Soffe on bass, Simon Price on drums and Ed Genis on guitar. Michael Messer is the most important blues guitarist of the modern era".
Mike C - International Guitar Festival
"…off to a great start with the slide supremo Michael Messer. The concert was a sublime blend of blues styles from the tradition of Howling Wolf through to Ry Cooder and Chris Rea, but delivered within a package that was entirely their own. Clever stuff really, as the brilliance of Michael's work was fully matched by the innovation and creative flare of the band. One thing worth stating - don't ignore the vocals, because Michael's voice is great, and within the context of the songs he created a dark and powerful edge to proceedings".
T Sal