Catfish play the Sunday Afternoon session at Bedford Esquires

Catfish are a blues band who have most definitely been making waves in the blues world. January 2015 saw the release of their debut album, ‘So Many Roads’, which went straight to no. 1 in the IBBA blues airplay charts. It was then selected as an IBBA album of the month in Feb 2015.

Over the following few months, they supported major blues names like Larry Miller, Mud Morganfield, Babajack and Oli Brown, then went on to play a number of major blues festivals including the Great British R&B Blues Festival and Bluesfest at the 02. Bluesfest happened to be on phenomenal guitarist/vocalist Matt Long’s 21st birthday – what a way to celebrate!

The icing on the cake came during Summer 2015 when they were nominated for two British Blues Awards, one for Best Emerging Artist and one for best keyboard player. This was followed this year by three nominations – this time Band of the Year, keyboards again for Paul Long and Young Artist for Matt Long.

Catfish are a four piece, and each of the four pieces contributes very much to the whole. Paul Long on keys and vocals has been a BBC sound engineer and produce all his working life, and recorded and produced Catfish’s album. Paul and Matt met backline Dusty Bones (bass) and Kevin Yates (drums) at the blues jams on the south coast in Brighton and Worthing – both have been playing in blues bands all their lives and their experience shows.

But their secret weapon is phenomenal 21 year old guitarist Matt Long who has already played on stage with Buddy Whittington and Larry Miller, and has supported British Blues Award winners Chantel McGregor and Aynsley Lister.

‘Matthew is… – lead guitarist, vocalist – and for a youngster of that age, such passion and devotion to the blues…..great shades of Peter Green there. He’s got one hell of a future ahead of him – a star in the making’ (Kevin Beale, Radio DJ Blues on the Marsh)

‘Catfish … rock steady rhythm section of Dusty Bones, Kevin Yates, add to that one of the finalists in this year’s keyboard player category of the British Blues Awards Paul Long and you’ve already got the foundation of a great band….and the icing on the cake a scorching, heartfelt, emotion drenched set from uber guitar talent, Matthew Long. This young man is going to go a long way (Tony Corner – Radio DJ Blues Corner)

If you are going to any of the major blues festivals this year, chances are you will see Catfish.

Definitely one to watch.