Devils River, Power Blues Trio, Liverpool, Southport, UK

History

Devils River were a blues and rock band based in Southport between 2004 and 2012. First launched as Devils River Blues Band, they shortened the name, and launched a blistering assault on the local music scene, playing over fifty gigs in 2005 alone. Sets consisted of a mixture of original material and cover songs by the likes of SRV, Jimi Hendrix, The Clash, The Kinks, and Cream.

Three musicians of Devils River trio

Devils River were Johnny Rainford on vox and guitar, Bill Butterworth on drums, and Pete Jorgensen on bass and backing vocals.

Music

The group released two albums, Dead Man's Canyon (2005), and Deal With the Devil (2010).

Three musicians standing tall over a large canyon

A monochrome image of a classic 50s Cadillac

A split image of Dead Man's Canyon and Deal with the Devil album covers

Gallery

Devils River promotional poster from Central Station, Wrexham — Devils River poster for Central Station, Wrexham.

Pete Jorgensen recording Devils River — Pete Jorgensen engineering a recording session.

Devils River playing live on stage at the Cavern Club Liverpool — Devils River live at the Cavern Club, Matthew Street, Liverpool.

Bill Butterworth playing drums for Devils River on the Beatles stage — Bill playing drums at the Cavern club.

Devils River live on the Beatles stage at the Cavern Club — Devils River play their second Cavern gig in one day, this time on the Big Stage.

Devils River sound check at Liverpool Cavern Club — Johnny and Bill sound check at the Cavern Club Big Stage.

Devils River with Martin at Dune FM — Devils River in Southport's Dune FM studio.

Devils River on stage with colourful lighting viewed from stage left — Devils River playing live at Drakes, Southport.

Devils River on stage with colourful lighting and smoke viewed from stage right — Johnny's fingers are on fire!

Devils River on the steps of the Limelight club in Crewe — Before a gig at the Limelight member's club, Crewe.

Audience view of Devils River playing live at the Limelight Club — Blasting out a Hendrix number at the Limelight Club, Crewe.

Johnny and Pete on stage at the Lion and Unicorn — Johnny and Pete on stage at the Lion and Unicorn, Crosby.

The band playing live at the Royal Coaching House — Devils River playing their first public gig at the Royal Coaching House, Ormskirk, 2004.

A view through the crowd to the band playing live on stage — Devils River mid-set at the Underground Club, Southport.

Devils River live, seen from above left — A cold night, a hot stage, 2005.

Devils River playing live on Southport Bandstand — Devils River playing on Southport band stand in Lord Street, 2010, in support of Queenscourt Hospice.

Devils River on a large stage — Performing at a private function in Burscough, Lancashire.

Johnny and Bill on a sofa in Telford's Warehouse — Johnny and Bill before a gig at Telford's warehouse.

Pete at Southport Community Radio — Pete Jorgensen at Southport Community Radio.

Johnny at Southport Community Radio — Johnny ready for interview at Southport Community Radio.

A black and white promotional image of Devils River — Devils River promotional photo.

Bill posing with drumsticks in a New Orleans bar — Bill posing with drumsticks in a New Orleans bar.

Johnny in a jazz club — Johnny posing in a jazz club for a promo pic.

Pete playing bass in Sun studios — Pete posing with his bass in front of Sun studios.

Various press cuttings promoting Devils River — Press cuttings of gig reviews and promotional announcements.

Videos