“Blues sunny side up, over easy, spicy or funky, it’s all on the menu with these guys.”

Formed in March 2009, The Flaming Mudcats are now regarded among our country’s premier Blues bands. They have released four albums, performed in festivals and clubs around New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and remarkably the USA. The band performed twice at the Crossroads Blues Festival in Illinois and played in several clubs in Chicago. They were invited and made a guest appearance on a famed 6th Street stage in Austin, Texas. 

Their energetic sets blend original material and covers drawn from their eclectic influences.       Simply listen up or dance your socks off to butt-shaking belters, soulful grinders with everything in between … welcome to the Flaming Mudcats show. 

Band Bio’s

Craig Bracken began playing harmonica in the late 80’s after listening to some of the greats like Little Walter, William Clarke and Junior Parker. He honed and developed his distinctive harmonica and vocal styles playing in several Auckland bands before becoming a “Mudcat” in 2009.                                                                                                                   You often hear him blowing horn and keyboard lines to compliment and support Doug’s guitar parts. 

In keeping with the band’s broadening material and growing set list, Craig has recently introduced tenor saxophone into the mix creating another dynamic. 

 Doug Bygrave hosted a university Blues radio show back in the 80s and on one occasion rang and chatted on air with his hero, Jimmie Vaughan (Stevie’s older brother.) So inspired, Doug headed off to Texas to catch up with Jimmie and meet some of the great blues guitar slingers around Austin at the time. These experiences forever shaped and forged Doug’s inventive playing style and tone providing that all-important rhythm / lead guitar Mudcat sound.

Ian Thomson began his long drumming career in Auckland “back in the 60s” playing in several notable Blues and Roots bands including The Dark Ages, The Underdogs, The Brew, Mumbo Gumbo and with the late Sonny Day. 

“Blues is the only music I ever wanted to play, laying down those driving grooves and raw feels. I also enjoy working on band arrangements and recent song writing. Who said old dogs can’t learn new tricks?” 

Paul Merriott has played bass, sung and written songs in a number of local Blues bands including, The Gunsmiths and Darcy Perry Band. He has toured throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.  Paul has also been a part of several independent album projects.                                                                                  “I’m really excited about being on board. The Flaming Mudcats have a history and pedigree of fine bass players…so some big shoes to fill.”

 Peter Parnham remembers wearing out the Chicago/The Blues/Today vinyl album, inspired by the simplicity and raw power of the urban blues sound. “There’s nothing quite like being in the rhythm section driving the band along like an ole steam loco… just like they did back on those old records”.

Pete plays both electric and double bass and sings in several Auckland Roots bands including The Remarkables. He was a regular at Ponsonby’s renowned Café 0ne Two One and has appeared in a number of Americana music festivals.

 Members $5

Non-members $15