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THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
Bottle Devils to play new tunes
Mike Beggs
Apr 6, 2005
Along with their usual well-done blues and rock covers, the Bottle Devils will be showcasing material off front man Gus Papas' new CD Shake The Devil, this Sunday at Roc 'N Doc's.
There's a lot of variety here; from the sorrowful blues ballad Sound Of The Rain, to the hoser rock of The E.Z. Rest Motel. Raised in the rough Jane-Finch area of Toronto, Papas has an honest, blue collar charm (think Bruce Springsteen meets Steve Earle) that comes through in both his lyrics, and his intense, if understated lead guitar work.
There's nothing like holding a note and making it bend. That's where the connection with the soul is."
Recording originals is nothing new for Papas, who had two strong albums on the U.S.-based Nemperor/CBS label in the 1980s. Over the years, he has opened for the Charlie Daniels Band, Steppenwolf, Joe Jackson, Rory Gallagher, and Robin Trower.
And while blues is a tough sell on radio, this Mississauga resident says determinedly, "I'm going to try.
"Fans have been asking about a new CD for a long time," he said. "And when we did the Beaches Jazz Festival a couple of years ago we had one of the best crowds on the strip, and I didn't have a CD (to sell)."
Fittingly enough, Papas' CD release party was held recently at Roc 'N Doc's, where the Bottle Devils Sunday night residency has stretched into its fifth year. Their current line-up also includes bassist Alec Fraser (the CD's producer), and drummer Phil Michaels.
- The Mississuaga News
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Gus Papas / Guitars / Lead vocals
In the 1980s he released two acclaimed albums of his own music on the Nemperor/CBS label, and toured North America opening for such acts as the Charlie Daniels Band and Joe Jackson.
Bill Carlton of The New York Times hailed his first album, Convicted , as a “blazing debut” by a “glorious new guitarist from Toronto.”
In 1984 Gus released his second album titled Gus & The New Breed " On The Verge". side one produced by Tony Bongiovi & Lance Quinn. Side two was produced by Ted Nugents Drummer, Cliff Davies. http://www.glory-daze.com/readarticle.php?article_id=688
In the 1990s, Gus fronted Legal Tender, a driving straight-ahead original rock band based in Detroit .Legal Tender showcased in New York, and toured with acts that included Steppenwolf, Robin Trower and the Irish blues-rock legend Rory Gallagher.
Gus has assembled a band that is every bit as experienced, accomplished and as steeped in the music as he is, it’s a potent and unforgettable mix, and one that demands to be heard.
Phil Michael / Drums / Vocals
Phil recorded, toured and appeared in videos with Gowan in the 1980's and 1990's.The band headlined and appeared in support of acts that included Foreigner, Tears for Fears, Paul Young and Supertramp. In the 1990's, he recorded and toured with Alfie Zappacosta, Billie Newton Davis. He's also done session work in Toronto and Los Angeles with The Big Train and Larry Jenson.
Alec Fraser has played bass for the following international artists.
Bo Diddley, Jeff Healey, Ian Gillian ( Deep Purple ) Kim Wilson ( Fabulous Thunderbirds ), The Drifters, Billy Ray Cyrus, Asleep At the Wheel, Willie ”Big Eyes” Smith and Mel Brown.
He also has worked with many local canadian artists like, David Wilcox, Jerome Godboo, Jack de Keyser, Morgan Davis, Danny Marks, Rick Fines, Jimmy Bowskill and Gospel singer Danny Brooks.
As a producer Alec has made recordings that have went on to win some awards.
Junos - “Six String Lover” Jack De Keyser.
-”Painkiller” Morgan Davis
These records also won Maple Blues Awards for Producer and Album of the Year and Bassist of the year for 2004.
Most recordings by Electro-fi Records are recorded by Alec. Some notable artists are.
Mel Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Snooky Pryor, Paul Oscher, Sam Myers, Finis Tasby and Curly Bridges. Legendary blues artists from the U.S.A continue to cross the border to record with Alec and many have him play bass on their records as well.
Currently Alec is a member of the Jeff Healey Band, The Bottle Devils and Broken Joe.
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