Nine Below Zero Tickets

Nine Below Zero is Back in the Saddle

As one of England's few pub rock bands that even heavy metal fans can listen to, Nine Below Zero has the ability to appeal to all music lovers, regardless of genre. Many would be surprised that the band has released over 20 albums, but when you've got a group that can appeal to the mainstream for over 35 years, you've got to give the fans what they love.

Schedule

Nine Below Zero plays all over the United Kingdom, and due to the huge cult following they've attained, it's likely that you'll see some of the same faces if you snag Nine Below Zero tickets in more than one city. The band is set to hit The Old Market in Hove, The Fleece in Bristol, The Globe in Cardiff and the Boileroom in Guildford. If you're not in those cities, don't worry too much, since the band also makes it out to Oxford and Leeds. They've even played the Citadel Arts Centre in St. Helens.

Trivia

Remember the famous song from Back to the Future called "Johnny B. Goode?" That song was originally a Chuck Berry classic, and Nine Below Zero actually opened for Berry in Bedfordshire at The 100 Club. It was likely a bit of good karma coming their way after having their single "Go Girl" added to the track listing of Of Hands and Hearts: Music for the Tsunami Disaster Fund, a benefit album for the victims of the Southeast Asia tsunami in 2004.

Band/Singer

Interestingly enough, Nine Below Zero actually started out as Stan's Blues Band, though none of the original members were named Stan. Lead vocalist and guitarist Dennis Greaves teamed up with bassist Peter Clark and drummer Kenny Bradley, with Mark Feltham on vocals and harmonica. Their cult band status began to take shape between 1977 and 1979 when they went around playing in London clubs.

The band was eventually noticed by Mickey Modern, and after the group accepted his management offer, Modern convinced A&M Records to give him his own record label to get the band a larger following. The plan worked; and Nine Below Zero, which Modern had convinced them to change their name to, released three successful albums while changing lineups a few times. Despite all this, however, the band broke up.

By 1990, Nine Below Zero had decided to do a reunion tour. After noticing that they were still selling out venues, the band decided to stick together. While there have been comings and goings in the group, the band still consists of Greaves and Feltham along with Gerry McAvoy on bass, Brendan O'Neill on drums and Billy Boy Miskimmin on harmonica.

Breakthrough

Nine Below Zero didn't have a "surprise" breakthrough like many other bands. They spent time cultivating a strong following, and it paid off. This was obvious by the fact that their very first album, Live At The Marquee, was a hit. The band had spent two years playing the local club scene in London, so by the time their first album was released, people knew who they were. The band had even begun to attract fans of British heavy metal, and while Nine Below Zero is a lot of things, heavy metal is not one of them.

Their first album ensured everyone knew who they were, but their second album, Don't Point Your Finger, cemented them outside of simple cult status. After it's release, the band was featured on television shows such as "The Old Grey Whistle Test," "The South Bank Show," "The Chris Tarrant Show" and "O.T.T." Their breakthrough landed them on tour with The Who, and there's no denying a band's fame at that point.

Hit Albums

The band's album Don't Point Your Finger topped out on the UK Albums Chart list at No. 56. Third Degree, the band's third album, did even better by making it to No. 38 on the chart. The album also managed to stay on the chart for a full six weeks. The band's release of It's Never Too Late! in 2009 cemented their place with a new generation. It received acclaim from both fans and critics, and it was the first album they'd released in nine years that consisted of all new songs.

Show Experience

It's amazing to imagine, but the experience at a Nine Below Zero show hasn't changed much in nearly four decades. People aren't jumping around and headbanging, and this isn't too surprising considering the band plays jazz and blues festivals. Nowadays, you'll find people listening to fun and upbeat yet relaxing songs with lights all around the band. Not crazy flashing lights, though; just enough to add to the ambiance.