GHDA | ja

The Baghdaddies have, quite aptly, been described as "an eclectic mish-mash of musical merriment, an ideal accompaniment to dancing, drinking, partying and shopping." (baghdaddies.com) Since forming in 1996, this 5-piece band based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne have trod the boards of many a village hall, street, and festival stage everywhere from the 'Toon' itself to Poland, Switzerland, and Threlkeld. With each member highly proficient on his instrument, there's not a guitar, bass, drum, trumpet, or saxaphone solo that won't encourage even the shyest from wiggling their hips to this 'melange' of klezmer, gypsy brass, balkan, reggae, ska, traditional folk, Geordie influenced, and...

Baghdad Heavy Metal are as unlikely a bad as the war in Iraq is making sense. Two totally different musical cultures thrown together grinding their identities against each other to seemingly dominate and subjugate. But in their mututal attack they come together into a cohesive whole that is both powerful and completely unique. It is a merriage made in hell - but by Allah it works. The guiding hand behind the production is Steven Last, with Steve Hunter on guitar and vocals from respected Arab artists/lyricists Yuri Mrakadi, Rayess Bek, Tania Saleh and American icon rocker Sammy Hagar, we have...