MET Biography

These boys are no strangers to the roots music scene in Hollywood. Eldred was last seen and heard as a founder/writer/guitarist with former Stray Cat Lee Rocker, in Lee Rocker’s Big Blue, while Angel and Bazz have been the faithful “keepers of the backbeat” for the critically acclaimed Blasters. All three mugs have favorably graced the pages of Guitar Player, Guitar World and other respected musician magazines, as well as rave reviews from the LA Times. Here’s one well-received review of many...

“This guitar intensive album features superb playing by axe man Mike Eldred, whose speedy picking, deep dish bends, and snarling tone alternately caress and pummel in the solo spotlight”
... Art Thompson, Guitar Player Magazine

The Mike Eldred Trio has an impressive resume’, with the rhythm section of Jerry Angel and John Bazz coming from The Blasters and Eldred, in the Brian Setzer seat during ex-Stray Cat Lee Rocker’s recording tenure at Black Top. Their self-titled album finds bombs going off everywhere, in chunky Stevie Ray Vaughn chordings and ‘60s-inspired dance grooves, in rockabilly blowouts and L.A. roots investigations along the Phil & Dave Alvin-X-John Doe axis, in country shuffle-swing (“Mess of the Blues”) and more, including covers of “I’m Ready” (from Muddy Waters), “Mystery Train” (from Junior Parker, via Elvis), and, complete with backwards guitar, Hendrix’s “Pali Gap”. No matter what the genre, the band nails the feel and Eldred distills the appropriate guitar potion. Fingers On Fire award recipient!
Blues Revue Magazine - May, 2000

“The Mike Eldred Trio, featuring guitarist Mike Eldred and Blasters rhythm section Jerry Angel and John Bazz became the surprise highlight of the weekend. Eldred put his well-worn Tele through guitar clinic like displays of blues boogie and rockabilly expertise”
...1998 Catalina Blues Festival-Adam St. James, Guitar Magazine

“Mike Eldred is among the rare breed of young guitarist who is not afraid of blurring lines in American Music. By bending all of his favorite musical styles, Mike has created his own original voice in modern electric guitar playing. HE’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT, BABY!”
... Brian Setzer

Guitar & Bass Magazine (France) Album Of The Month

There is something unbelievable about Mike Eldred Trio's music. The music of Mike Eldred (guitar-vocals), Jerry Angels (drums) and John Bazz (bass) could best be described as a full speed impact between two fireballs, the resulting effect being a compression of two styles, Scotty Moore's ( Elvis Presley's legendary guitarist) and Angus Young's (AC/DC). Their boogie-blues carries incredible energy, displaying the aftermath of raging rockabilly and raw blues.
Mike Eldred's meeting with Scotty Moore in 1993 was a turning point in his career. After several shows with Presley's legendary guitarist, touring all over California, then with Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor, Mike Eldred, along with ex-Stray Cats Lee Rocker, founded the Lee Rocker's Big Blue, releasing an album on Black Top Records. Mike Eldred wrote or co-signed most of the songs As for Jerry Angel and John Bazz, they were the Blasters' rhythm section for several years, before joining Brian Setzer and Big Joe Turner on the road. This is Mike Eldred's first album, opening on a devilish shuffle, " Nick's Shuffle ", borrowed from his N.Y.C friend' Steve Johnson. Then comes “Tiger Man ", obviously inspired from Buddy Guy's style. Following this, the album takes on a new dimension. After a superb shuffle, " Another Romeo ", come a few good old mean and dirty rockabilly tracks, like " Hello Baby ", where the Telecaster 52' sound is at its best, or the angry covers of " My Way " (Eddie Cochran) or " Wild Guitars ", both dangerously efficient. His superb rendering of the ballad “Mess Of Blues " unveils Mike Eldred's worship of Scotty Moore.” Thin Line “and” I Could Be That Man For You “display Mike Eldred's talent as a writer, equally at ease in revved up tempos or emotionally charged singing. With " Mystery Train ", Mike Eldred takes us along for a last ride in the leather seats of an Eldorado Cadillac, before closing the album on an amazing 12 minutes live version of Jimi Hendrix' " Pali Gap ".

MIKE ELDRED TRIO COACH HOUSE SAT, SEPT 23rd

I was not quite late enough to miss the opening band, which is a shame.  No one seemed to be paying much attention, and I had that uncomfortable feeling you have when a singer is pouring his heart out, while everyone ignores him.  But all was not lost…
Just as they finished, the crowd thickened, as fans of all shapes and sizes filtered in. Lee Rocker was headlining.  I saw lots of hair grease, red lipstick, and cool boots, some serious rockabilly folks mixed in with the Orange County yuppies, kids and all.  An interesting mix.
The next band up was the Mike Eldred Trio, fronted by (you guessed it) Mike Eldred.  Mike used to be a member of Big Blue, backing Lee Rocker before he went solo.  He performed on three Lee Rocker albums, including Lee Rocker's solo album "No Cats", where Mike even wrote a few songs. 
Deciding to front his own project, Mike hooked up with former Blasters rhythm section John Bazz on bass and Jerry Angel on drums (Bill Bateman was filling in for Jerry at the Coach House).  Two-and a half years later and things seem to be taking off for the Mike Eldred Trio: They've signed a three-album deal with Virgin in France and just released their first record in June.  They are quite popular overseas and will be touring to support the record, which is already getting a great response.
Mike opened the show with a Jerry Jones Baritone guitar, but then switched to an old Tele, which I learned he's had since high school.  Signed by Scotty Moore and Carl Perkins, this axe is worth some cash!  (Not for sale I'm sure).  He plays through a Fender Custom Vibroluxe Reverb and Fender Deluxe Reverb, running both in stereo.  Sweet.
Their sound?  Call it roots, call it rockabilly, call it blues, call it swing, but whatever you call it, it's damn good rock n roll!  Quite simply, he smokes.  Opening with a blazer that demanded your attention, the crowd did a 180.  Folks previously milling around at the bar head toward their seats and all heads face the stage.  This guy can play.  His eyes are closed and he's in the zone.  Taking us for a ride.  Fast, then slow.  Smooth then chunky, you stay interested all the way.  No vocals, just a plain good guitar jam.
Not that he can't sing.  After the opener, Mike hit the mic and sang his little heart out, quite well for the rest of the set.  Heavily influenced by Scotty Moore and Jimmy Hendrix, Mike Eldred is one those guys that has the magic, the talent to make people sit up and take notice.  If you're a fan of roots music, and don't need all the bells and whistles, this is your man.  Plain good music.
-JJ Reilly