Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam recently released a live DVD titled Live at the Gaiety Theatre recorded in the Isle of Man, where Knowles is from; the show was a bit of a homecoming for Knowles. I’ve seen Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam live several times, and although I’m a fan of their recorded music, it doesn’t do justice to their live shows, so I’m glad to see them release a live DVD.

The DVD features two hours of music from Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, including songs from their two studio albums and a few selected covers.

The set list for the DVD is:

1. Riverbed
2. Coming Up for Air
3. Messin’ with the Kid
4. Almost Cut My Hair
5. Come Home
6. Gotta Leave
7. You Don’t Love Me
8. Tear Down the Walls
9. Outside Woman Blues
10. Country Girl
11. Amber’s Song
12. Keep on Searching
13. In a Little While
14. It’ll All Come Around
15. Hear Me Lord
16. Roll Away

Also included on the DVD are some bonus features, including the full set of the opening band Strengyn, behind-the-scenes footage of Back Door Slam, and a tour of some of the Isle of Man’s historic areas.

Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam recently opened for Chickenfoot during their US tour. On the final show at the Gibson Amphitheatre, Knowles got to jam with Chickenfoot. It had to be a little intimidating to share the stage with Joe Satriani, but Knowles held his own.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you get a chance to catch Knowles and Back Door Slam, you should definitely do it. They put on a great show.

Here’s Davy jamming with Chickenfoot:

Last week I mentioned that Back Door Slam’s new release Coming Up For Air will be available in stores on June 16. However, I recently found out that it’s available online at iTunes today. And, at only $7.99, it’s a great deal. I love it when an album I’ve been looking forward to comes out earlier than expected. The in-store date is still June 16, so you’ll have to wait until then if you want a physical copy of the CD.

One of my favorite bands of 2008, Back Door Slam, have announced that they are breaking up. It looks like based on the letter on the BDS Web site, guitarist Davy Knowles will be continuing on with the name, as he is currently working on a follow-up to Roll Away. Drummer Ross Doyle and bassist Adam Jones will be pursuing other projects in the UK. If the rumors are true, Knowles is enjoying life in the US, while the other band members missed the UK.

I’m sad to see that the group is breaking up as it currently is, but my hope is that Knowles will find other competent band members to fill the void left by Jones and Doyle. I saw BDS live early last year and really enjoyed it. Knowles is a phenomenal guitarist, and I thought the band did a very good job of providing the musical foundation. Whoever backs him up in the future, I really hope that Knowles continues playing and expanding on the blues. In my opinion, he’s one of the most exciting guitarists to come out in the last few years.

Back Door Slam had a big year in 2008. I was able to catch them early last year as they traveled through Nashville supporting James McMurtry. Later in the year, they were given the opening slot for the Kid Rock/Lynyrd Skynyrd tour. And, to round out the year, they toured with Gov’t Mule. I’m glad to see them getting some recognition; they really put on a great show. It’s amazing that each member of the band is only 21. I predict big things for them in the coming years. If you get a chance to see them, I highly recommend it!

Here’s a video of Back Door Slam’s guitarist and vocalist Davy Knowles with Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule playing “Almost Cut My Hair” by CSNY:

Back Door Slam, one of my favorite new bands, has recently released a new EP consisting of 4 new songs and a video. The songs included on the EP are:

• Back Door Slam – The song by Robert Cray from which they got their name
• Riding with the King – by John Hiatt
• Been Down So Long – by The Doors
• Red House – The Jimi Hendrix classic
• It’ll All Come Around – Video

Anyone who has seen BDS play live over the past year or so has seen them play most of these songs in concert. I’m glad to finally have some ‘official’ recordings of these songs. The EP is available on iTunes.

BDS has also recently been selected as the opening act for the upcoming Kid Rock/Lynyrd Skynyrd arena tour. Guitarist Davy Knowles was also featured in the latest issue of Guitar Player magazine. I’m glad to see them getting recognized. They are one of the best new blues/rock bands I’ve heard in a long time. Prior to the arena tour, they are passing through town again, so I’m looking forward to seeing them again.

Here’s a video of Back Door Slam playing Outside Woman Blues by Blind Joe Reynolds: