Heavy Rain

The DPB

“Craig Bracken, Simen Taylor, Paul Merriott, Justin Roys. This is the line-up that recorded ‘Don’t Hold Back’ and catapulted the band from the bar circuit to the main stages at festivals around New Zealand.” Darcy Perry

Affectionately known by their fans as the DPB, this was the remarkable band that by late 2008 had spent seven years carving a reputation on New Zealand’s musical landscape. Although there would be many stand in players over those years (Freddy Limbert, Nathan Porter, Brian Glamouzina, Nate Taiapa, Tony Hopkins, Stephen Thomas, Tom Scrace, Glen Child, Yuto Fujiwara, Glen Child, Paul Grady... to name a few), the core line-up was the band that recorded Don't Hold Back at Stebbing over a long weekend in 2002.

The Darcy Perry Band established themselves on the underground blues scene as a force to be reckoned with. The award winning album Don't Hold Back garnered righteous acclaim from critics and roots music fans alike.

The Flaming Mudcats

Craig Bracken

“The equal of any top international player, past or present, that you would care to name” Mike Butler (Blues News)

Craig Bracken has a style and grace every harp player envies. He can blow that single hole note that penetrates a room and wakes the dead in Chicago. Hanging out the back or tearing the roof off, you can't resist his tone.

His musical career began fronting Guava Groove back in the 1980's. A chance meeting with Darcy Perry at the legendary Java Jive turned into a permanent position (and five albums) as Harmonica man for the Darcy Perry Band and later, the Blue Devils.

In 2006 he co-founded the record label Roots Music Aotearoa with Darcy Perry and Paul Merriott. The 2007 release Harmonica Masters of New Zealand marked Bracken's first effort as a producer. An indepth knowledge of the New Zealand roots music scene and a life-long love of the instrument made him perfect for the role.

Craig Bracken is now also fronting The Flaming Mudcats, a firm favourite on the Auckland Blues scene. This swinging good-time band is well versed on what it takes to please a crowd, exhibiting levels of professionalism and musicianship that make it easy to become a dedicated fan. You can check them out at: www.theflamingmudcats.com

Blue Devils

Handsome Giants

Simen Taylor

“I was introduced to Simen Aanerud at the Jazz Bar, a young man playing for ten bucks and a free lunch! After the first few songs, I knew we had to work together. Fortunately, he agreed to record Blues 4 Dad... Simen is a beautiful soul and founding member of the band." Darcy Perry

Norwegian blues pianist Simen "Bluekeys" Taylor moved to New Zealand in 2000 after ten years with the band MaarudKara. A few months later he was introduced to Darcy Perry by fellow keys man Kingsley Smith. In the years that followed Simen formed The Blue Devils with drummer Freddy Limbert, The Handsome Giants with Shayn Wills, worked with acclaimed bluesman Darren Watson and toured internationally with Tim Finn. At the close of 2008, after producing the Phoenix album, Simen returned home to his farm and beloved John Deere tractor.

Currently living in Norway, Simen is writing a musical and performing again with old friends and legendary band mates: blues guitarist Amund Maarud and his younger brother Henrik Maarud on drums. They have started recording a new album.

In May 2010, Simen performed on a reunion tour of New Zealand and Australia with the original Don't Hold Back / Heavy Rain band line-up.

Paul 'The Rev.' Merriott

“Paul Merriott lays down the groove so smooth, it's guaranteed to make you move." Darcy Perry

A superb bass player and songwriter, Paul Merriott has worked his craft performing and recording with a number of prominent bands and musicians throughout NZ and Canada. His first gig with Darcy Perry was live on television, closely followed by the whirlwind three day recording sessions that produced Don't Hold Back. While all of Perry ’s albums – Blues 4 Dad, Heavy Rain, Too Many Hard Miles and the most recent Phoenix – have earned acclaim, it was ‘Don’t Hold Back’ that pushed the band into the professional spectrum.

In 2006 Paul co-founded the record label Roots Music Aotearoa with Darcy Perry and Craig Bracken. His involvement in the recording industry (Revolver Studios, SAE, Attack Records) lends yet another dimension to the label.

After the release of the Phoenix album, Paul began a new band project: The Gunsmiths, featuring The Rev.'s driving bass, are a three-piece blues rock pirate galleon with soul survivor Paul Smith (Hollie Smith's Dad) at the helm.

In May 2010, Paul performed on a reunion tour of New Zealand and Australia with the original Don't Hold Back / Heavy Rain band line-up. He was also involved in the Blue September fundraising concerts in Hamilton and Auckland.

Paul Merriott is a life time member of the DPB.

Justin Roys

“When Freddy Limbert left the band to pursue other projects, he recommended Justin Roys. That's high praise in itself. Justin's first gig was at Stebbing, recording the landmark Don't Hold Back album." Darcy Perry

First and foremost a jazz drummer, Justin Roys is from the legendary Frank Gibson Jnr school of drumming and wears that influence proudly. He also brought musical colours to varied situations; the Rock'n Roll of Tom Sharplin, the avant guard of artist Julian Dashper, the West African rhythms of Bud Hooper's "Gahu", Funk & Latin rhythms of "Funktion" and the Soul & Blues of Ronnie Taylor.

Taking over the drum throne from Freddy Limbert, Justin put his own stamp on the band sound immediately. A believer that jazz is not a ‘style’ it’s a feeling, he understood that you can't learn the blues from a book. Justin knows how to sit back there and swing the band.

In May 2010, the drum throne was reclaimed by the righteous Justin Roys, when he performed on a reunion tour of New Zealand and Australia with the original Don't Hold Back / Heavy Rain band line-up.

Wish It Would Rain

Glen Child

“From the UK, Glen's first gig in New Zealand was with the DPB, which involved a roadtrip from Auckland to Wellington. A great introduction to Godzone! One year later he was in the studio with us, recording Phoenix. Glen Child is a versatile and dynamic drummer, who seamlessly balances solid ‘pocket’ playing with finesse and flare." Darcy Perry

Glen Child is a passionate player who is already receiving rave reviews and solidifying a reputation as one of New Zealand's finest drummers. His influences which include great players such as Steve Jordan, Levon Helm, Richie Hayward and Stewart Copeland, have informed and inspired his playing and his approach to music.

Glen was born and raised in Downley, Buckinghamshire, UK. He originally started learning snare drum, timpani and tuned percussion at his local music centre when he was twelve years old. Glen has been a professional drummer and teacher for over 10 years. He originally studied at London’s Drumtech (studying under Paul Elliot, Francis Seriau, Brian Greene & Pete Cater), before furthering his study at the London College of Music, where he achieved a Bachelor of Music with Honours.

He joined his first Indie band when he was sixteen and went on to play with rock/hip hop act Entropy, toured with a Limp Bizkit tribute Band, ran his own function band called Metropolis as well as working as a session drummer covering all styles from funk and jazz thru to musical theatre. He also performed for UK singer songwriters Denny Lloyd and Natalie Long and for theatre shows such as: Me & My Girl, Krazy for You and Kiss me Kate.

He toured extensively through the UK and Europe before emigrating to NZ in 2006, where he quickly gained momentum, working with Darcy Perry Band, Annie Crummer, Farmer Pimp, Billy Tk Junior and The Lady Killers. In 2007 he auditioned for the Danny McCrum Band and quickly became a prominent member. His involvement in the band has extended past drumming to helping develop the band as well as co-writing and co-producing the new album 'Say What You Mean'.