Full tilt American Rock-n-Roll

11 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Country Rock, ROCK: Americana



Details:
Review and Bio - From Pause Record Magazine 11/03 and other quotes etc.

"From the sun and sand of Southern California to the Sierra foothills of Chico to the art and culture of San Francisco, comes an artist who truly embodies the spirit of California. Simpson's songs traverse the rock and roll, folk, country, bluegrass, and jazz easily and gracefully. Guitar stylings call to mind the best of Knopfler, Frisell, Atkins and Gilmore while holding tightly on to a unique signature. It is a rare treat to hear work so firmly rooted in tradition and so unapologetically breaking new artistic ground. Like an Italian cab-driver, Simpson has torn of the rear view mirror forging confidently ahead without looking back."
- Ian Swanke

Guitarist/Songwriter Lee Simpson is originally a Northern Californian from the Chico area but was raised down on the beaches of Southern California. Years of touring and making records with his and Jason Fletcher's original act Blue Dye Fire honed a life long love of the craft of songwriting. After several recordings and a record single were produced Thank You For Being Alive and Roadburger were made from 1993 to 1995. The release of these two records led to heavy touring of the West Coast culminating in a San Diego to Seattle circuit and several overseas tours of the European continent. After much change Blue Dye Fire's songwriting members settled in the San Francisco area and through several incarnations including local SF favorite King Harvest that we know today. As a player Lee is strongly rooted in the bluegrass style and tradition with strong disciplines in improvisation and BlueGrass. This is fused together in an original American Roots songwriting technique that offers a tip of the hat to those who have come before as well as a uniquely wooden sound all it's own. Lee has since headed out on his own with the release of his self titled CD on VinaLoam Records which is scheduled to come out this summer. The "LS" record showcases the very best of his songwriting and live abilities. He hits the road well armed with a band of serious talent. Look out for them this summer as they roll into a town near you.

Current lineup includes - Sloan Tash - Bruce MacMillan and several of the other players from the Chico local Band "Gumboots". www.gumbootsmusic.com . www.johnmcg.com or www.leesimpson.net

Recent gigs include regular monthly Fillmore shows including the following list -
Lucinda Williams, Roseanne Cash, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Stanton Moore, Wilco, Yonder Mountain String Band just to name a few of the larger acts.
The Lee Simpson Band have been enjoying a growing following in the larger cities all over the west coast while loving living in the tiny hamlet of Chico. "After much mileage and hard work we finally asked the people at Bill Graham Presents if we could simply go and be in the country with our friends and family so that we may be happy as well as devoted. The answer was a simple yes that they will still support the shows and all we have to do is a bit of extra driving - Chico is full of our family and friends and as long as we stay out on the road then it doesn't matter where we live. We make our living heading into the big towns and blowing it up. One of the greatest things ever is to simply be heading back into the central valley after a stint on the road and to see the lights of Chico in the distance. Even better when the local radio stations play you on the radio headng on in at night. You smell the orchard mud and see the trucks on the 99 - then you just know your home."