Biography
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Years Active
1991 – present (34 years)
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Founded In
Wales, United Kingdom
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Members
- Andrew Whitfield (2007 – present)
- Andy Vickers (1999 – present)
- Ben Roberts (2014 – 2014)
- Dan Curtis (2001 – 2006)
- Darren Hughes (1999 – 2004)
About the loving cup
THE LOVING CUP are a rockin' country and blues Americana band based on the borderline….of North Wales. BBC Radio 2 DJ Mark Lamarr defined the bands sound as Southern Boogie Rock, which we kinda like!
Very much a live act, The Loving Cup have developed a reputation as a “good-time” rock’n’roll band with acclaimed performances across the UK and are honoured to have played alongside such luminaries as Albert Lee, Hayseed Dixie, Eve Selis, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Fred Tackett and Paul Barerre (Little Feat), Eileen Rose Band, Nell Bryden, and too many others to mention.
The band have also performed many live sets on local and national UK Radio including a live session on the BBC Radio 2 show "God's Jukebox" with Mark Lamarr in September 2008. The band were also featured on ALL 3 of Mark Lamarr’s Best of 2008 shows on Radio 2 over the Christmas period and were in fact the only act to do so. Following the session The Loving Cup received more exposure on Radio 2 including plays on the Bob Harris Saturday show. Tracks by the band continue to be played on UK radio and beyond with airplay across Western Europe and Scandinavia and across the Atlantic in the USA and Argentina.
To date, The Loving Cup have written and released two albums, "The Loving Cup" (2003), and "Goofer Dust" (2008), both available to buy as digital download on itunes UK/Europe/USA. According to Americana UK, the eponymously-titled debut "makes all the right noises with high production values, a classic sound and, hey, a really nice cover". Kool Kat Muzik in New Jersey summarised the album as "Terrific hook-filled alt-country sounds from this brilliant new UK group with a vocalist who, at times sounds like Steve Marriot (think Humble Pies country-tinged stuff). Also has a Faces-like swagger throughout."
The bands second album - Goofer Dust - was received with critical acclaim – ROCK’N’REEL gave it 5/5 saying “stone southern soul oozing from every pore….This is straight-talking, dancefloor rock'n'roll with a swagger in its stride.” Blues Matters said “If “Goofer Dust” is one word; it is infectious….11 tracks which could all be singles.” Americana UK said “This is a blue collar working mans country rock album. Chock full of guitar and thumping bass and drums, raw vocals and songs about driving (amongst other things).” Radio 2 DJ Mark Lammar described the track “Bring along your lovers” from the LP as “an instant classic”.
The Loving Cup are currently recording their third album, tracks from which will be available to buy on itunes as part of the E.P. "One Last Hard Goodbye" from July 2010.
Here's what other people say about The Loving Cup:
"Warm and soulful country-influenced rock n roll. The Loving Cup possess a mean songwriting ability for creating driving anthems that positively beg to be blaring out from a soft top Chevy cruising Route 66".
GIGWISE
"Keith Richards’ brain’ – he won’t miss it. ‘Gram Parsons’ Country Lilt’, ‘The Swagger of Jagger’, ‘The Fingers from John Squire’s Left-Hand (currently unused)’, ‘The Allman Brothers’ Bottleneck’, Levon Helm’s Sense of Rhythm.’"
Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales
"The Loving Cup have emerged with a more rounded and classic bluesy feel than previously shown on their debut album but continue to progress with their ability to present very serious dark lyrical content in soulful and melodic ‘pop’ songs. Hopefully, this release will see them achieve the kind of widespread acclaim they deserve."
Glasswerk
"Stone southern soul oozing from every pore, Andy Vickers' buzzing slide evoking the best of southern rock, from Skynyrd and Little Feat to The Black Crowes. But this is in no way the domain of beer-bellied rednecks. This is straight-talking, dancefloor rock'n'roll with a swagger in its stride. Strong songs, impeccably crafted, it's baffling that this band isn't better known."
ROCK'N'REEL
"The long overdue followup to their brilliant 2003 debut which we absolutely loved is finally here! Like its predecessor, this one's chock full of the Steve Marriott/Humble Pie/Faces-influenced, alt-country, bar room swagger that characterized their debut! GREAT!!!!"
KOOL KAT MUSIK, USA
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