We caught up with the Grapevine Blues Band playing in the back room at the Coach and Horses in Croxley Green, North London. They were strutting their stuff, producing some quality blues - these guys have been playing for many years and clearly demonstrate that there is a lot to be said for a bit of experience!

The Grapevine Blues isn't stuck in the Blues and is pushing boundaries that you didn't know could be pushed - with the mad influence of Dr Ika anything is possible. Ika's greatest influence is Jimi Hendrix and he likes to play some of his idols works; perfectly normal, you might think, but who but Dr Ika would think of housing it up! I have to say I didn't find it offensive - in fact, after the Hip Hop version of Cross Road Blues I found myself wanting more! Mike Chase and Dr Ika are mean guitar players and they probably can pull anything off. This was house with a rock attitude but we mustn't pull ourselves too far away from the bulk of the work which is indeed the blues and if this is your great passion then don't be put of by what I have written so far!

As we know, Dr Ika brings his influences into the limelight with his mix of house rock and blues and has produced his own CD following this direction. We will no doubt be reviewing this unique brand of music in the future. The band's other half is Mike Chase, who's greatest influence is Muddy Waters. I think it's this guy who is the backbone of the team; he's the one that deals with the day to day running of the band. One gets the feeling that he's the one that keeps Ika from doing something really wierd. The signed Fender Telecaster Mike plays is that of Peter Green, ex Fleetwood Mac and was signed back in 1999 when Mike first met him. It was Peter who wrote 'Black Magic Woman' which was made famous by Carlos Santana. Mike is not only extrematly talented guitarist he also plays harmonica.

The Grapevine Blues don't just keep to the usual pub circuit and have played in St.Albans Cathedral, The Queens Final at Bisley (Top International rifle shooting competition in the world), a Cruise Boat on the Thames, and The Estonian club in London. They have played with Gary Moore (twice) at The Chelsea Blues Festival and also with Wilko Johnson, Stan Webb's Chickenshack and are lined up to play with Canned Heat, Woodstock veterans.

Ika's claim to fame is to have had the pleasure of playing with the great BB King out in Georgia and then again in Sweden. He has also had the chance to play with many other legendary musicians during his career.

The Grapevine Blues has a far reaching audience and has had their music featured on Jazz FM, Voice of America and Georgian National Radio. A video has been screened several times on Georgian TV, where they have quite a following. So on the face of it you see a band playing in a pub in Croxley Green but unknown to you over the pond they are listening to the very same blues!

I will leave you with this interesting final fact: The police in Georgia used to go around and cut Ika's hair for playing decadent western music! Why doesn't that surprise me - it's not everyday that you hear a little gem like that! A large part of this band's material is blues related; they combine this with a stimulating performance and fresh ideas. This band has talent and while Ika's on the scene I'm sure their gigs will stay fresh!