The Tangiers Blues Band was formed in 1998 after guitarist Chris Scianni
(Dangerman, Echobrain with Jason Newsted) and drummer Dave Borla
(Dangerman, Echobrain) met photographer/harmonica player Danny Clinch and
discovered their mutual love for blues music. The first Tangiers Blues Band jam
session took place on Thanksgiving night that year with other musicians and
friends, including Huey from the Fun Lovin' Criminals, King from Cooley High,
Mick Jones from Foreigner and tennis player/guitarist John McEnroe. The original
line-up was formed after that with Chris (guitar), Dave Borla (drums), Danny
(harmonica), Huey (lap steel), King (vox and guitar) adding their long time friends
Dave Sellar (bass) from Darlahood and Peter Levin (keys) who had played in
various bands in New York City and currently tours with Gregg Allman.
The TBB line-up changes from show to show, with a deep rotation of
musicians they have known and jammed with for many years, and in many
different configurations. In addition, they have many "special guests" who will sit
in with them for a night when they are around including G-Love, Phil Lesh,
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Charlie Giordano (Bruce Springsteen) and Chris'
father, Joseph Scianni. Dave Grohl, Tom Morello, Perry Farrell, Mike McCready,
Lars Ulrich, members of the Dave Matthews Band and My Morning Jacket,
Donald Fagen and Cage The Elephant.
In the early days, The TBB had a weekly slot at Lot 61 (Amy Sacco's club
in N.Y.C) where they started experimenting with their set list. They soon realized
that by "down-dating" current hits and reworking non-traditional blues songs, they
could appeal to an audience that was not familiar with the blues, while throwing in
"up-dated" versions of blues standards and originals to appeal to blues
enthusiasts. On any given night, the TBB can play a set including music by Lady
Gaga, Elvis Costello and the Clash that morph into blues classics performed by
Junior Wells, Muddy Waters and Albert King. The band has performed their
eclectic set of blues from clubs in NYC like The Iridium, Joe's Pub, Bowery
Ballroom, and The McKittrick Hotel to the stages at Bonnaroo, opening for Gregg
Allman and playing at Presevation Hall during Jazz Fest in New Orleans and
Voodoo Fest.
The line-up on the TBB studio recordings consists of Chris, Danny, Pete,
King and Dave Sellar with Jon Graboff (Ryan Adams and The Cardinals) on lap
and pedal steel guitars and Mo Roberts (Shamekia Copeland) on drums. The
recording was done in one day at Moon Palace Studios, mixed and produced by
Tim Latham (Lou Reed, Tribe Called Quest) a long time friend of all the guys.