The Wanton Bishops are what I imagine a contemporary blues band should sound like. Their name sounds like they come from the southern parts of USA, but they are from Lebanon. Lebanon? Yes, Lebanon, the state in Asia. Well, the world is their home now since they made an immediate international breakthrough with their 2012 debut album “Sleep with the Lights On.” Formed in 2011, the group consists of Nader Mansour (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards) and Eddy Ghossein (guitar, backing vocals, banjo). The duo began as an independent act founded after Mansour and Ghossein met outside a bar in Beirut and eventually bonded over their mutual appreciation for blues music. The Wanton Bishops was eventually formed and emerged among the second wave of modern garage rock revival and are considered today to be one of the leading bands in the Middle East.
On November 4th The Wanton Bishops released their latest five-track EP called “Nowhere Everywhere.” Although the music is still based heavy on the thumping blues roots, the band offers a bit of the Middle-Eastern flavor, with beats and electronic music in the spirit of their local scene. After the fifteen plus minutes, the listener is left with a feeling of wanting more - and I’m sure that the Bishops will come strong again in no time with a new LP. Until then, enjoy these fifteen minutes of Eastern Blues.
