Shout Sister Shout!

Pete Farrugia Remembers...

Back in 1988, Shout Sister Shout! was formed by Dot, former guitarist in Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays. She recruited my old pal Chad Strentz, (formerly of Rockabilly stars Cat-Talk) on vocals, Matt Radford on double bass (another ex Vee-Jay) and Brian Nevill (ex Pigbag) on drums.

At first I was a fan. I loved their taste in music, the songs they wrote and the (mainly) obscure R'n'B cover versions they did. I went to many of their gigs. At first the performances were raw, rough and ready but before long the sound started to gell.

When their original keyboards player left, they asked me to join, which offer I gladly accepted. I am nothing more than a limited keyboards player, so gradually I started bringing along my trusty old Gibson, and eventually I was playing more guitar than piano or organ. Good job too, some might say!

We released an eponymous indie 12 inch EP (Love Bandit Records LB001, 1989). A great record, which still stands up today, featuring the extremely talented Chad's songwriting and vocals. We promoted the record in a live session on European MTV, and this led to radio play in Holland and Belgium.

At first we gigged mostly in and around London, notably at Bob's Goodtime Blues at the Station Tavern where we were the Friday night resident band for three years. Later on we took the cross-channel ferry and played in Belgium and France.

Pete Farrugia Live With Shout Sister Shout!

Dot and Matt left, so we recruited Andy Neal (yet another former Vee-Jay) on guitar, and Lin Boorer (ex Shillelagh Sisters) on double bass. This line-up started to really cook, and we played some great gigs. My favourite was definitely the 1990 Lugano Jazz and Blues Festival, in the Swiss resort.

The press were always good to us...

"To these ears they are the freshest and most exciting combo to hit the live scene in the last two years or more."

Dave Driver, Scene Alive

"The man who came to mend our office roof said with a broad grin: 'Gor, this is great - real bum feeling music - know what I mean?'. So we gave him Shout Sister Shout's fine Blues tape... ...Boisterous and blimmin' good."

City Limits

But all good things eventually come to an end. Chad gave up his day job, and needed a more lucrative gig to replace it, so he joined Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes, where he remains to this day, constantly touring Europe and picking up awards. There was no way we could have replaced Chad, so we decided to split.

As for killer rhythm section Brian and Matt, they are now playing with the excellent Big Joe Louis and the Blues Kings, on Ace Records.

And me? Well I joined Bluer Than Blue, who eventually mutated into Mo'Indigo.

Back to Pete Farrugia's Home Page