01. Turn It Upside Down (3:43)
02. Emperor’s New Clothes (3:47)
03. Will Be True (4:39)
04. Let It Ride (3:22)
05. Fistful Of Dirt (3:52)
06. Realisation Dawns (5:29)
07. Off Your Lead (4:56)
08. Got It Bad (4:09)
09. Hungry Man’s Blues (3:13)
10. Fingers Of One Hand (3:19)
11. Don’t Let Me Cry (5:16)

Hugh Coltman (vocals, harmonica)
Jon Amor (guitar)
Jesse Davey (guitar)
Robin Davey (bass)
Dave Raeburn (drums)

After releasing two albums on the Code Blue label (formerly part of Atlantic Records), the band left In 1991, The Hoax exploded onto the british blues scene. Their youth and energy, mixed with the musical ability of seasoned pro’s, immediatly set them apart from everything else on the live circuit.

In 1993, legendary producer Mike Vernon (Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Level 42, Fleetwood Mac) offered them a deal with his Warner affiliated label "Code Blue", after seeing them on stage. He said: "They’re the most exciting thing I’ve heard for twenty years".

A year later, he teamed up with them to produce the album "Sound Like This", released in october 1994 to critical acclaim. The album earned The Hoax a spot on the BBCTV music show "Later with Jools Holland" and was voted Best Blues Album of 1995 at the British Blues Connection Awards, with The Hoax also picking up the award for Best British Blues Band (for the second consecutive year) and singer Hugh Coltman winning the Best Male Vocalist Award.

The Hoax made their american debut in 1995, with two successful tours in which they opened a number of dates for Buddy Guy. The american press welcomed the album "Sound Like This" with tremendous enthusiasm. Billboard magazine hailed The Hoax as "blues you can believe in".

In 1996, their relentless touring schedule of 200 gigs a year continued, and they were the opening act for Buddy Guy’s european tour, finishing up in London with Guy inviting them on stage to perform with him.

The track "Twenty Ton Weight" was chosen from "Sound Like This" to be included in the soundtrack to the film "Heavens Prisoners", starring Alec Baldwin. The soundtrack album went straight into the american blues chart top ten, with the movie also going top ten in the film charts.

In the summer of 1996, The Hoax won the Best British Blues Band Award for the third year running, and recorded their second album "Unpossible". Released in november, it immediatly outsold its predecessor. A tour followed, taking them to nine different european countries, with numerous appearances on national TV and radio. ---bluesweb.com

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1. Lizard Like Me
2. Much Too Much
3. Scaramouche
4. Wake Me Up
5. Swallow My Pride
6. Twenty Ton Weight
7. Headless Chicken
8. Driving Blind
9. Head Neck
10. Don’t Bust A Valve
11. Take The Money And Run

Bass – Robin T. Davey
Drums, Congas – Dave Raeburn
Guitar – Jesse Davey, Jon Amor
Vocals, Harmonica – Hugh Coltman 

The british blues band “The Hoax”, sound authentically Texas Blues at times, ironic given the bands name. Discovered by Mike Vernon, who also produced this album, as well as working with Clapton and John Mayall, described the band as “The most exciting blues band I have seen for twenty years”. Judging by the output on this recording, it’s not hard to see, or hear even, why.

Hailing from Devizes, Wiltshire, the band in their early twenties, take tired old blues cliches and formulas, rework them and inject an edgier, more modern sound. Inspired by the rockier end of the spectrum of blues, favoured by the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Red Devils, Robin Trower and Jeff Healey, the band play with such energy, enthusiam and youthful vigour, but it never descends into a free for all. These boys are all masters of their instruments and really know how to lay it down.

The proceedings begin with “Lizard Like Me”, featuring a pounding funky bass and drum intro, and a classic blues riff reworked to sound more up to date. Great vocals from Hugh Coltman on this. A good album opener but far from the best track on the album.

“Much 2 Much” is a heavy blues shuffle which also puts a modern twist on the standard blues turnarounds, and is one the best songs on the album. Featuring two great guitar solos from Jon Amor and Jesse Davey, who play very much in the Stevie Ray mould, and some nice harp from Coltman.

A funky blues number next “Scaramouche”, is actually one of my favourites, due to the feel good groove and superb singing. Special mention to Rob Davey on bass for nice funk and slap work.

Every good blues band worth its salt knows how a deliver a slow blues song and these boys do with style. “Swallow My Pride” is excellent with great harp and guitar solos, and more soulful vocals from Coltman.

“Twenty Ton Weight” is one the best songs on the album, and is funky blues number but much more rocking than “Scaramouche”. Great drumming from Dave Raeburn and more excellent harp.

Some of the tracks such as “Headless Chicken”, “Wake Me Up” and “Head Neck”, do not fare as well compared to the rest of the material. Whilst still excellently performed, it’s just that these seem like standard blues tracks and the other more modern flavoured songs stand head and shoulders above these.

The album finishes on the rockiest song “Take The Money and Run” and is a great way to end the proceedings.

“Sound Like This” is excellent, and remembering this is the bands debut album makes it even more impressive. The sheer energy and enthusiam with which they deliver their blues is infectious. If you like funky, rocking blues a la Stevie Ray Vaughan, then you will love this band. --- thehoax.co.uk

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1 	High Expectations 	
2 	Feeding Time 	
3 	Last Man Down 	
4 	Superstition 	
5 	Something Out Of Nothing 	
6 	Groove Breaker 	
7 	I Want To Be Loved 	
8 	Long Way Home 	
9 	Bones 	
10 	Don't Shake My Hand

Jesse Davey - guitar
Jon Amor – guitar
Hugh Coltman - vocals and harmonica
Robin Davey - bass guitar
Mark Barrett – drums

There are several excellent songs on this CD, and it's hard to choose my favorites. Certainly "Feeding Time", covers of Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious" and Willie Dixon's "I Want To Be Loved", "Groove Breaker" & "Bones" are among the top songs. In all, there are just a couple songs I found to be mediocre. This CD is a very strong 4.5 for me, and I may eventually settle on a 5.0. There's a whole lot of good, solid music. An excellent variety of songs featuring great vocals and guitar throughout. "Humdinger" is one of those CDs that I think should have appeal to a wide cross-section of blues fans. From a technical standpoint, the CD was excellently produced. The sound quality is excellent... the mix of vocals/instruments is right on.

Unfortunately, The Hoax are splitting up after eight years of trying to make a go of it. According to info at one of the Hoax websites, they just could not make a comfortable living with the band. This is a real shame. The level to which the bar was raised between "Sound Like This" and "Humdinger" is astounding. This band was still peaking. It's hard to believe they have not realizing commercial success with "Humdinger". Due to the break-up, the future availability of "Humdinger" is questionable. --- electricblues.com

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01. Hipslicker (4:17)
02. Big City Blues (4:45)
03. Let It Shine (4:20)
04. Stick Around (4:30)
05. Can't Do Right For Doing Wrong (4:08)
06. Two Steps Back (5:51)
07. Keep On Messin' (4:02)
08. Talk Is Cheap (3:16)
09. Roll On Up (4:21)
10. Give Me A Drink (5:33)
11. Tes Nuits Insolits (3:49)
12. Pledge Giver Blues (7:07)

Hugh Coltman (vocals and harmonica) 
Jesse Davey (lead and rhythm guitar) 
Jon Amor (lead and rhythm guitar) 
Robin Davey (bass) Mark Barrett (drums)

The humble shores of Great Britain may not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking of legends within the blues genre, however it certainly offers up some musical delights every so often. The latest being the album Big City Blues by rejuvenated ensemble, The Hoax. The band splintered and went their respective ways over 10 years ago, but after a fiery reunion in 2010, a series of blistering gigs and a collection of fan funds they returned to the studio.

“Hipslicker” is the first track off the compilation. It’s good to know The Hoax are still on form and have not lost their edge. The fuzzy guitar rhythm and croaky vocals make a catchy tune. There is plenty of zest on the album, tracks like “Big City Blues” and “Keep On Messin’” are full of heel tapping fun.

As well as the hard-hitting tunes the band demonstrate their ability to dull the pace and produce something more sensual, whilst keeping that intensity. “Two Steps Back” does just that. Another song of mention should be “Tes Nuits Insolits” and the French flavored melodies that give the album a bit of variety.

The Hoax have done what the fans hoped for. They have produced a well-trimmed, punchy record that proves there is blues rock alive and kicking in the UK. A solid performance. --- George Ward, bluesrockreview.com

There is a nice range in dirty blues rock styles exhibited on this album. They draw on influences from from classic British blues, like Free and Humble Pie, to Texas Blues like the Fabulous Thunderbirds, to 21st Century garage rock. All of this is handled with a good sense of balance that preserves the integrity of their songs. They rock hard, without over playing. ---Dayrocker, amazon.com

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