Brian Downey, known to millions of rock fans as the founding member of Thin Lizzy, and to mark the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest live rock and roll albums of all time – Thin Lizzy’s “Live and Dangerous”.

To mark this, Brian Downey’s “Alive and Dangerous” will perform two shows at Nells Jazz and Blues Club, Kensington, London, United Kingdom on Friday 24th November and Saturday 25th November 2017.

Downey’s band will feature Brian Grace (best known as the guitarist for the Commitments’ Andrew Strong), and former Low Rider members Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass) and Phil Edgar (lead guitar).

Ever since the Thin Lizzy reunion wrapped in 2013, Downey declined the offer of joining Black Star Riders, and, instead, took a year off. In 2013, he met Brian Grace and discussed various aspects of music, and which direction he wanted to take his music next.

Says Brian, “After the Thin Lizzy reunion shows finished in 2013, I was asked to join, what turned out to be Black Star Riders, but it just didn’t feel right for me.  In January 2016, following an appearance at the Vibe For Philo in Dublin, I approached Brian Grace and that’s when we discussed getting a band together. After a few rehearsals, Brian suggested that we rehearse with Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass) and Phil Edgar (guitar), both of whom had been in a band called The Low Riders (their name was taken from a lyric from the Thin Lizzy song Johnny The Fox).”

“In January 2017, we jammed together at the Vibe For Philo, and it went so well, that we decided to form Brian Downey’s ALIVE AND DANGEROUS and make it a full time proposition.”

2018 will mark the 40th Anniversary of Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous album.  Although the album was recorded live in 1977 at London’s Hammersmith Apollo and Toronto’s Seneca College, it wasn’t officially released until a year later in 1978.

“I got hooked on Thin Lizzy’s music at the age of twelve,” says Brian Grace. “I’m a huge fan of those songs. It’s such a dream to be playing with the best drummer in the world!  The musicians in the band love and respect the Lizzy sound that we really try and recreate it true to the original sound. We can’t wait to perform at Nells Jazz & Blues in November. We’re ready and on top of our game.”

Glenn Sargeant