THE Backbone Blues Band, one of the best kept blues secrets in the UK, are to make their live debut in Basingstoke.

The group - Duncan Highet on bass/vocals, Martin Jezzard on drums, Tony Seaman on guitar / vocals, Frank McConnell on guitar and Steve Pearce on keyboards - are better known in the USA than in their native UK.

With their fifth annual tour of the States looming in October, the band are spending summer in England playing numerous gigs, including one at The Rhu Bar, London Street, on Sunday, August 17.

Their first album Made in Britain was released last year, sold well in America and was promoted live on Sonny Payne’s radio show, King Biscuit Time.

Influenced by the old blues men and inspired by the new, their music is threaded with soul, rock and country and delivers a style that’s both eclectic in its construction, but unmistakably Backbone in its delivery.

They’ve played from “Beale to Bourbon” every year, including the King Biscuit Festival in Helena, the Balcony Music Club in New Orleans and Ground Zero Blues Club, where this year they have an entire Sunday dedicated to them under the billing, “The Big British Blues Brunch”. They fold all that experience into their performances back in the UK.

“What we’ve learned most from our tours of the Delta, is that as well as the music, you have to put on a show. Just playing well isn’t enough” says Tony Seaman, one of the band’s guitarists. “You can’t just shuffle on stage in old jeans and a scruffy T-shirt - you have to pay your dues and pay respect to the music and audience”.

Guitarist Frank McConnell continues: “We play songs. Yes it’s plainly the blues, but not predictably so; well written, well-constructed and well-executed songs is what try to do. We’re also really choosy about the covers we play and we give them the full Backbone treatment.”

With a tight rhythm section, creative guitars and keys, soulful vocals and a well-chosen playlist, they knock out a sound that grooves when it swings and punches well above its weight when it rocks.

Basingstoke promoter Loz Lozza adds: “Go see them, they know their work. They recently smashed it at Caversham Festival.

“This is up-tempo feel good music from some quality players.”

Entry is free and the music starts around 9pm.

The band will play two 45 minute sets.