Get into the Groove!

ROB FIDDAMAN this week chats about 'spicy blues' with Lee and Lucy from Southern Fried Groove Queens ahead of their gig in Stoke-on-Trent next month

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That's some name for a band, can you start by telling us all about who you are and where you're from?

Lee: Hi, I'm Lee, vocalist and slide guitarist, occasionally harmonica when the mood strikes! And perched upon her drum throne is Miss Lucy P, the chick with the sticks. We're from the UK's ‘Deep South’ Exeter, Devon.

How did you meet?

Lucy: We met in December 2020 during lockdown, whilst filming with our then bands for Devon's version of MTV, a show called ‘MidiTV’. We'd both been filmed performing with our bands, and were then being interviewed. We sat side by side on a sofa, and were introduced by a mutual friend who suggested we jam together due to our mutual love of blues. At the time, I was in many bands already, and didn't feel the need for another, but the first time we got together to play, I knew Lee was something special.

Did it take long to come up with the band name?

Lee: No, not at all. In my previous outfit I started a tradition of giving my bandmates quirky and affectionate stage names. The first gig me and Luce played, we did under my own name and when giving her a shoutout I called her a 'Southern Fried Groove Queen' for her immense groove-based drumming talents and love of Mississippi music, food and culture. She's also a little bit deep fried up in the noggin. She said 'Hey that would make a great band name!'. I agreed and thought hmm 'I could be a Groove Queen too, keeps the other men at bay from wanting to join, tacked on an S' and the name's become our calling card. We've been mistaken for a drag act before though.

Any bands or artists you take your influences from?