Somewhere between Hall & Oates and the Doors lies the rock and soul quintet, Mamas Gun. Fronted by singer and songwriter Andy Platts with bass player Cameron Dawson, keyboardist David Oliver, guitarist Terry Lewis and drummer Jack Pollitt, the UK-based band had an international heritage and a long list of influences on its way to success.
The Hong Kong born Platts played on Corinne Bailey Rae’s debut album and became an in-demand songwriter, working with Rod Temperton (Michael Jackson, Heatwave) and John Oates among others.
Mamas Gun released it debut album, Routes To Riches, in late 2009. The disc won instant praise for its infectious melodies and its combination of soul, rock and pop elements into one of the year’s most innovative and attractive albums. The group was nominated for multiple SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards during 2010.
In 2011, Mamas Gun released a great follow-up album, The Life and Soul, which increased their audience and spawned three more hits. In 2014, the band toured with Lisa Stansfield and released its third album, Cheap Hotel. Mamas Gun has continued to record and tour ever since, with each release increasing the group’s profile a bit, and more people coming to hear one of the great young R&B bands around.
By Chris Rizik
