In 2011 British Blues Guitarist Mick Clarke continues to play live dates with his band, promoting his new album "the Rambunctious Blues Experiment" as well as working on the fourth album release for Killing Floor.
In 2009 he released "Solid Ground" his twelth solo album, and he has also recently re-issued six of his previous albums on BGO Records.Recent live dates have included a return to Scandinavia for the Norretljes Blues and Rock Festival near Stockholm, Sweden, and London shows with SALT, Mick's 70s blues rock band formed with Stevie Smith - the first new SALT gigs for 33 years.
Mick began his solo career in the early 80s and has become an established name on the European scene, touring regularly in every country from Finland down to Italy. Praised for his fiery "straight from the wood" guitar sound, he has appeared on numerous festivals with artists such as Robert Cray, Johnny Winter and the late Rory Gallagher.
Recent tours have included appearances at the Baden Blues Festival in Switzerland, "Rock at Sea" in Stockholm, Sweden, Harelbeke Rock and Blues in Belgium and the Bragdoya Blues Festival in Norway. In 2005 Mick headlined the Saturday night at the Great British R&B Festival in Colne, England as part of the British Blues All Stars.
. also featuring Kim Simmonds and Maggie Bell.Mick has also toured several times in the U.S.A. and appeared with artists such as Johnny Winter,Canned Heat, Big Jay McNeely and C.J.Chenier plus rock shows with Foghat, Savoy Brown and the Paladins.
The Southern California Blues Society called him "One of the finest blues players to come out of England".Mick began his career with Killing Floor part of the British blues boom of the late 60s. The band backed Texas blues guitar star Freddie King and toured with legends such as Howlin' Wolf and Otis Spann.
. In 2003 the original band got together again to record a brand new CD, and in January 2004 Killing Floor released "Zero Tolerance" - its first new album for 32 years. The band has now begun to play selected festival appearances around Europe, and a fourth album is currently in production.
In the mid 70s Mick co-formed SALT a powerful blues-rock act who were a big hit on the London scene in the 70s playing regularly at the Marquee and other top venues. The band played at the Reading Festival and also opened for Muddy Waters at two major London concerts.
SALT has also reformed for occasional re-union tours.Micks first solo album Looking For Trouble came out on the Italian label Appaloosa in the early 80s and sold well. More albums quickly followed including West Coast Connection recorded in Portland, Oregon with local musicians.
Recent releases have been on the German label Taxim, including the classic "No Compromise",and "Happy Home" on Mick's U.S. label Burnside features just Mick with Lou Martin on piano and some old favourite songs.
"Live in Luxembourg" is Mick's first ever live album, recorded in 2002 at the "Big Blues" in Luxembourg, and the 2007 "Solid Ground" contains thirteen brand new original blues rock compositions.Mick's new album "The Rambunctious Blues Experiment" was recorded at Mick's home studio in Surrey, and is an attempt at a completely spontaneous blues recording.
Tracks were recorded first take with no rehearsal, therefore capturing a live feel that would be difficult to achieve otherwise. The album features Mick with Russell Chaney on Drums and Dangerous Dave Newman on harp.
Released on Rockfold Records / iTunes - international distribution is through BGO.
