BB Factory - First World Blues (2018)

This multi-cultural group proves the blues has no boundaries - featuring Harold Jackson from the USA on Vocals, Pedro Verhoeven from the Netherlands on Guitar, Bevan Davison from New Zealand on Drums, and local lads Bruce Crouch on Keys and Craig Hamilton on Bass. Together they form, BB Factory.

Based on the Coast, BB Factory play a mix of original material and classic blues, funk and rock'n roll delivered in their own signature style.

Harold Jackson - Vocals, Harmonica [USA]
Jackson’s musical history starts in 1975 when he moved to Red Oak, North Carolina to live with his aunt. In a true rite of passage he picked cotton and tobacco, and used backboards driven by mules. He sung in the fields and absorbed the sound of the blues harp being played there. And so Jackson began to sing his own blues with family and friends.

Upon moving back to New York, his father placed Jackson behind the congas in his band. Although it was a Salsa band, they often played the blues for his son. It was during this time that Jackson picked up saxophone, guitar and keyboard, but singing the blues remained his first love.

When Pedro invited Jackson over for a jam at his studio after having met each other at a blues jam, they instantly recognised that he had finally found a front man to be reckoned with.

Thereafter known as BB Factory’s “Toastmaster General”, Jackson is a natural singer able to transpose his voice from the soulful clean to the downright dirty blues shouting from the yesteryear.

Pedro Verhoeven - Guitar [NLD]
Also known as the “Professor” because of his work behind the studio console and perhaps for his experimental approach to improvised solos, Pedro found a musical partner in crime when he crossed paths with Jackson.

Born and raised in Holland until age 14, Pedro has been in several original blues/rock bands since arriving in Australia in the early 80’s.

Like his bandmates, it’s always been the Blues that Pedro has gravitated towards and enjoyed performing the most. It was a hidden track on his all original album ‘Being’ (1999) that showcased his love for improvised blues guitar.

As a regular at blues jams in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Pedro was able to discover the bandmates that would eventually complete BB Factory.

Bevan Davison - Drums [NZ]
Born into a musical family, Bevan (aka "Chopsticks") got his first kit at the age of 7. This resulted in him playing bass and drums in bands throughout his formative school years. At only 17 he was accepted into the Christchurch polytechnic institute of jazz studies, where he studied for 2 years and also began to gig regularly in the local music scene. When he turned 20, Bevan moved to Melbourne where he played in a variety of bands but found himself too busy with other work to continue making music. In 2012, Bevan relocated to the Gold Coast where rediscovered his passion for music. It was not longer after this when Pedro saw Bevan playing with David DeVito's band which led to Bevan "Beats" Davison eventually joining BB Factory.

Craig Hamilton - Bass [AUS]
Bass player Craig is originally from the Sunshine Coast and has played with a diverse cross section of bands over the years. One of the highlights was recording the Dave Hole produced Stones And Colours album (1995) and touring the UK and Europe throughout 1997 with the renowned international blues artist Rob Tognoni. He has lived in Brisbane for the last 15 years and made his mark with a number of blues bands including Howlin Time and Whiskey & Rye and various cover bands such as Rockbreaker, Down Under, Just Like That, A Noble Few, The Selfies, Flat Chat, We're No Angels, Harro's Party, Rastafarian Stagedivers, Space Cadet and Engineroom.