Roots rock artist Claude Hay is known around the world as a leading exponent of live looping – technology allowing him to create the sound of a live band whilst playing solo. Claude took the surprising next step to join forces with actual live breathing musicians, and released double A-side single ‘Borracho/Run’ in April 2014 under the moniker of ‘Claude Hay and The Gentle Enemies’.
They became 'The Gentle Enemies' in Feb 2015 in preparation of releasing their full length album.
Weighing in somewhere exactly between C. W. Stoneking and Queens of The Stone Age, Claude’s band tracks come from different sides of the spectrum. The song Borracho is classic Claude Hay and chugs along with fuzzy funk intensity as it relates a common tale of over-indulgence. Run is quite a different beast and would likely never have seen the light of day without a full band behind it. Run is a protest song aimed squarely at one of the most hated politicians in Australian history and Hay grinds the axe with one of the best rock and roll screams since Chris Cornell.
The Gentle Enemies features Ryan Van Gennip and Jon Howell, a rhythm section team who have worked closely together in various groups including with Chase The Sun, Marshall Okell and Cass Eager, as well as having performed individually with Leonardo’s Bride, Diana Anaid, iOTA, Charlton Hill, Jimmy Little and many others.
Claude Hay has released three solo albums over a solo career spanning seven years, his albums have charted on the US Billboard and Amazon charts and he’s won Chain and MusicOz awards locally. Claude has performed at every major blues and roots festival in Australia, and tours Europe and The US each year. The band is working on an album due for release in 2015.
Borracho and Run are currently available from all good online music retailers.
“Blues-fired funk and soulful Hard Rock” (Rockpit)
“a must-see” (Rhythms Magazine)
