THE MENTULLS – PROGRESSIVE BLUES ROCK
With influences ranging from Gary Moore to Toto and Cream to Genesis, The Mentulls style is broad, yet they manage to blend all of them together, making a unique and eclectic style.
When talking about the band’s music one reviewer said, “It’s nothing less than timeless rock music”, which perfectly sums up the band’s melting pot of powerful, yet melodic, blues infused rock music with hints of prog, pop and jazz.
All members of the band became passionate about music from a young age, with guitarist and vocalist, Andrew Pipe and his brother, Jamie on keyboards making their performance debut in their early teens with drummer Nick Colman joining them shortly after.
Over the years the band have carved themselves a unique style as a three piece with Jamie’s unusual yet effective way of handling the bass lines in his left hand, as well as playing his organ and piano parts in his right. As one reviewer said, “They manage to create an amazing wall of sound without the glue of a bass player……but no other trio to my knowledge creates such a dense wall of layered sound”
They have, as well as touring in their own right, played high profile supports and tours with legendary bands and artists including Wishbone Ash, Focus, Walter Trout, Dr Feelgood, Mick Ralphs of Bad Company and Mott The Hoople, Roger Chapman of Family, King King, Aynsley Lister and many more.
The band released their second album ‘Time Flies’ back in 2012, which continues to attract international radio airplay throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA.
Also In 2012, Andrew became one of the youngest artists to be nominated for a British Blues Award. He was then again nominated a second year running in 2013 for the ‘Young Artist Award’.
The Mentulls were also featured on ‘Classic Rock Presents The Blues’ magazine’s ‘Young, Gifted & Blues’ CD along with artists such as Joanne Shaw Taylor, Oli Brown, The Strypes among others.
Now in 2015, The Mentulls long awaited new album, ‘Reflections’ was on 10th July 2015 with some great reviews so far:
“From the first chord to the last note this album absolutely rocks. The best album I’ve heard this year by a country mike” – Classic Rock Society
“An uncompromising rocker with shades of Whitesnake & Rainbow – Impressive” – Blues In Britain
“The guitars are blues rock, the keyboards are proggy, songs like ‘Silverbird’ and ‘Time To Focus’, with a guesting Aynsley Lister are utterly delightful” – The Rocker
“The trio can really captivate…..’Reflections’ is a heck of a song…..A very strong album……Passage Of Time’, ‘Reflections’ and ‘Silver Bird’ are the big outperformers on this fine album” – Blues Magazine NL and Roots Time BE
“Such is the quality of young blues bands breaking through right now that merely being good isn’t good enough. The Mentulls can point to the awards they’ve won. So can a lot more of bands. They can talk about their live shows. So can hundreds of others. In short, in 2015, it’s hard to stand out. Unless you are as superb as the Mentulls are, that is. When MV first saw the band, a couple of years ago as opening act for a southern rock band, we tipped them for stardom. Now on album three, nothing has changed, except perhaps one thing: The Mentulls have delivered on their promise. “Reflections” is stunning 9.5/10″ – Maximum Volume
“On tracks like album opener “Silver Bird,” “Home Tonight,” and the wah infused “I Can’t Slow Down,” you get top class British blues rock. It is of no surprise that The Mentulls chose “Reflections” as their title track; it is simply stunning. Andrew Pipe, who has an incredible appreciation of space, masterful control, and a great tone, plays with intricacy and passion” – National Blues Review
