Smokestack Lightnin' / Members
David McDonald
Bassist Guitarist SongwriterOne of the original line up and former bass player for Cardiff band Cyphlic Fish. Purveyor of fine music and rugby fanatic. Back in Caaaardiff & living the dream. No longer married but happier than ever... Now gigging & recording, founding member and bassist of Blue Evolution.
Deigh Evans
Guitarist Harmonicist Songwriter Sound Design Studio EngineerJoined the band in 2014 as Sound Tech and is the man responsible for the bands great live sound. Also a great performer in his own right and on the rare occasion plays harmonica with the band. Single and always looking...
Gary Phillips
Drum Teacher Drummer PercussionistInfluences include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Miles Davies, Deep Purple, Thelonious Monk, Stan Tracey, Steve Gadd, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, Ian Thomas, Laurence Cottle, Clarke Tracey, Neville Brothers, Rolling Stones. Eats drinks and sleeps drums. Also joined Smokestack Lightnin' in 2016 as a temporary fix when Hugh Dixon left the band. Unfortunately for Smokestack already too committed to other things to become a permanent fixture..
Tristan Huw Clarke
Bassist Guitar Teacher Guitarist Songwriter VocalistMulti disciplined musician and the most recent permanant member of the band joining as bassist in 2016. Originally from West Wales but now based in Cardiff. Personal taste and influence crosses between Judas Priest, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. First picked up a bass at 14 and thrashed through his teens along to 80’s metal and in the habit of arranging music for choirs or small vocal ensembles. At the age of 20 opened up to film soundtrack music, musicals and classical music. "While on the South Wales singer/songwriter scene I was heavily influenced by local bands Rusty Shackle, Sion Russell Jones and Paper Aeroplanes.."
Steve Dunn
Guitar Teacher Guitarist Keyboardist Songwriter VocalistPlaying the guitar since the age of 13. Influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Matt Schofield, BB King & Mitch Laddie to name but a few. Playing predominantly in rock bands since the age of 14 throughout South & West Wales. Real passion for playing the blues and founding member of Smokestack Lightnin' in 2014. Currently residing in Bedwas with wife Fiona and two children.
Matt Newman
Guitarist Harmonicist Songwriter Vocalist Music Producer30 year veteran of the South Wales Music scene. Singing in bands since the age of 14. Most recently as a Blues Rock Singer with current band Smokestack Lightnin. Comfortable singing most styles from Frank Sinatra to CeeLo Green. Great range, powerhouse vocals,"When I was a baby I would wake up singing, guess it's what I should have done all along..."
