Paradise 9

Ken Pustelnik's GROUNDHOGS

Ken Pustelnik, the original Groundhogs drummer, has formed a new lineup of the band. Their show features all the classics from The Groundhogs long and very successful existence (formed in 1963), which featured Ken Pustelnik's unorthodox drumming style.

All the traditional Groundhog elements will be on show, such as the high energy arrangements and the free-flowing psychedelic-tinged improvisations, all anchored by the underlying Blues Root ever present since the bands earliest days.

Opening we welcome back psychedelic/proto-punk/space-rockers Paradise 9 who celebrated their 20th anniversary this time last year here at the Half Moon to a packed gig.

Paradise 9

Paradise 9 are a four- piece rock band based in London and Brighton. Formed in 1997 by singer songwriter Gregg McKella, they released their first album “Showtime” in 1998.

In 2017 they celebrated their 20th anniversary, with an extended set at the Half Moon and came with the release of their live double 20th Anniversary 1997 ~ 2017 CD and are delighted to be returning, this time with The Groundhogs.

Their music brings a chilled yet punchy approach to the rock genre sound, taking inspiration from psychedelic and progressive bands like Pink Floyd, Gong, and Hawkwind. It fuses proto and post punk from the Ramones through to the Clash, and the Psychedelic Furs. Paradise 9 are; Gregg McKella on vocals, guitar, glissando guitar, clarinet and space FX’s (Daevid Allen’s Glissando Guitar Orchestra) Tyrone Thomas on lead guitar and backing vocals (SpacedOgs/ Olympic Clamp Down/Jeanette Murphy Band/ex-Alternative TV) Neil Matthars on bass (ex-Casual Affair) Wayne Collyer (ex-Deep Skin) on drums.

Paradise 9 have played extensively around the UK, performing at many festivals including Glastonbury 2011/13/14, Bearded Theory, A New Day, and have headlined at Green Gathering, Hope Festival, Tannerfest, Cosmic Puffin and Kozfest to name a few.

To date they have 2 studio albums ‘Showtime’ (1998) and ‘Take Me to the Future’ (2013), a live CD ‘Live at the Amersham Arms 2014’, a DVD ‘Live at On-board the Craft 2013’, last year’s 20th Anniversary 1997 ~ 2017 CD and are presently working on their third album.

‘Take Me to the Future’ featured several guest musicians, including ex-Hawkwind Nik Turner on sax and flute, and the late great Judge Trev Thoms on guitar, both from seminal post punkedelic band Inner City Unit. It also features Pink Fairies’ Jaki Windmill on percussion and backing vocals, and Jeanette Murphy, and Steve Teers (Human Cabbages).

“...What makes this record special, though, is the lightness of touch that moves it effortlessly between psychedelia, punk, reggae, dub and just all those musical genres that represent facets of the counter-culture as a joined-up whole...” IAN ABRAHAMS – Space Rock Reviews August 2013 “20th Anniversary 1997 ~ 2017 CD”

“Paradise 9 creates songs of beauty that are about appreciating the world and the people in it. Whether it is the upbeat, explosive space punk of “State of the Nation” or the deeply moving acoustic folk-psychedelia of “Falling for You,” McKella’s brilliant signwriting is at the core of each tune on this album. It is so strong that the high level musicianship that is represented here almost seems secondary…if only for that intense rhythmic drive, the gliss guitar and those tonal colors that call out to the universe…” Jack Gold-Molina - Its Psychedelic Baby December 2017

“Paradise 9's punk spirit and angry, disillusioned social commentary does much to challenge popular stereotypes of psychedelic music….” Kim Harkin - Bliss aquamarine webzine January 2018