23 SKIDOO: Perhaps the most widely known story of the origin of the expression concerns the area around the triangular-shaped Flatiron Building at Madison Square in New York City. The building is located on 23rd Street at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, and due to the shape of the building winds swirl around it. During the 1920s, groups of men would allegedly gather to watch women walking by have their skirts blown up, revealing legs, which were seldom seen publicly at that time. Local constables, when sometimes telling such groups of men to leave the area, were said to be "giving them the 23 Skidoo".

Formed in 2008, international touring band 23 Skidoo are a rock and pop covers band that travel every year to the city of Eilat in Israel to play at The Three Monkeys pub in Isrotel`s Royal Beach hotel. The band are looking forward to travelling there once again in 2011, catch them from June 23rd to July 20th every night in the bar.

Their non stop set of rock and pop classics has its roots in the huge blues rock of the 1970s to the hairspray and glitz of the 1980s, from bad boy Brit 1990s to 21st century retro pop rock; soulful grooves, smokin` guitar solos, harmonious vocal arrangements and a real musicality rarely seen up close and personal, the band always woo their audiences with their style and ability.

The band consist of Dee Dowling on bass and vocals, Brian Emerson on guitar and vocals, Rich Manley-Reeve on guitar and vocals and Warren Smithson on drums and vocals.

Dee Dowling

Born in North East England, Dee picked up guitar at the age of 10. His passion for rock music, coupled with competition from a group of friends who all played guitars, made for a determined and eager player from early on. Throughout his teens he played in local garage bands, learning the ropes, performing wherever and whenever he could. At the young age of 18, Dee left home to live in London, performing and writing with ‘older, more experienced guys who gave me the kick up the ass I needed to become an actual musician, rather than a talented amateur’.

A switch from guitar to bass was a major turning point for him as a player: ‘I still play guitar’, he says, ‘I still write on it, of course but bass makes me feel like I’m part of it in a way I just didn’t get as a guitar player, because there’s always someone else to consider in the bass and drums relationship. I like the team aspect of it, if that makes sense!’

Dee (real name Damian, ‘it started out as a joke when I was a kid, you know DD, my initials, then got shortened and it stuck – even my granny calls me Dee now…’)

Musical tastes and influences
: John Mayer, Prince, and any good live band with great songs!

Gear
 : Guitars Fender Jazz basses, Takamine acoustics, Ampeg amplification

Brian Emerson

Hailing from the north east of England – Brian has been a professional guitarist for many years playing locally and internationally . In the 80′s Brian formed the band “Emerson” with brother Stuart and were a main contributor to the rock genre named N.W.O.B.H.M,  with a local single release and a sizeable fan base.

Emerson had interest and offers from EMI, Zomba and Warner/Chapel music. Brian later joined London based band “Bronze” and started pro touring. Later in the 80′s Brian joined the band “Tygers of Pan Tang” and enjoyed further touring of Europe and beyond . Always playing, often doing over 150 shows a year, Brian is used to the rigours of touring and band life. Brian has, throughout all of his band experience, been a main writer and composer and is very heavily involved in the recording process .

In the last 10 years, Brian has been writing and producing with a focus on the New Country scene and 4 years ago met with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Dee Dowling to join forces and form a very powerful and creative writing team.

Musical tastes and influences From early on it was always Journey and Foreigner then that developed into new country bands and artists such as Keith Urban, Lonestar, Martina Mcbride and many more . As a guitarist my favorite guitarists and influences are Hendrix, SRV, Dann Huff, Steve Lukather, Brent Mason and more recently John Mayer.

Gear   Main guitars Fender Strat 59 master build Fender Telecaster 52 custom shop PRS  DGT  signature Suhr  Guthrie Govan signature Washburn hand made parlour acoustic

Amps/Cabs Bogner Shiva – amp and matching 2×12 closed back cabinet Fender tweed Blues Deluxe Marshall JMP + Vintage 4×12 cab

Rich Manley-Reeve

Raised in the steel town of Consett in the North of England, Rich fell in love with the guitar as a teenager. After leaving school he studied music for 3 years and spent several years teaching guitar and working in guitar shops. Rich has now been a professional live and studio guitarist for over 25 years, and has played thousands of gigs across the UK, Europe and Middle East backing up many different artists covering a multitude of styles.

Rich has known Dee, Brian and Warren for many years, playing in several bands together since back in the day, and is excited to be part of 23 Skidoo and enjoying playing great songs with great musicians.

Musical tastes and influences include Jeff Beck,  Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, Freddie King, John Mayer, Buddy Whittington, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Gear Guitars ’52 Tele replica handmade by Lance Lerman 1964 Fender Stratocaster Gibson Les Paul Standard goldtop Gibson 335 Suhr  Standard Bengal

Amps 1978 Marshall JMP 50-watt Master Volume with vintage Greenback 2×12 cab Cornford MK50II head and 2×12 also Fender, Marshall, Cornford, Egnater combos

Effects etc TC Electronic G-System Pedals by Fulltone, Wampler, Xotic, Keeley, MXR, Carl Martin, Budda

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