Formed in the late 70’s, Nine Below Zero first made their mark in 1980, when they signed to A&M Records, released their debut album “Live at The Marquee” and headlined the Hammersmith Odeon supported by Jools Holland.
The early 1980s saw them gracing TV screens nationwide on iconic shows such as The Old Grey Whistle Test and The Southbank Show, even appearing on the very first episode of the ground-breaking comedy sitcom The Young Ones.
Over subsequent years and multiple releases the band supported the likes of Eric Clapton at The Royal Albert Hall, Brian May, Chuck Berry, Bruce Foxton and Ray Davies, and were signed by Sting and later Zed Records.
They featured on the soundtrack of the blockbuster movie Twelve Monkeys (which saw Bruce Willis perform with them on stage at the film launch), wrote albums with Nik Kershaw and played live with guests Glen Tilbrook and Alexis Korner.
Original members Dennis Greaves [lead vocals and guitar] and Mark Feltham [harmonica and vocals], have a new lease of life as a Nine Below Zero acoustic duo, currently selling out latest tour dates, and as DenMark they have recently released a double LP of acoustic recordings.
During the pandemic Dennis went into his loft and found a bunch of two-inch tapes, quarter-inch tapes and Betamax on cassette. He transferred all the tracks onto a hard drive. The producer Wayne Proctor suggested they remix and re-record all if that old material.
As Mark and Dennis as the acoustic due were often being asked where fans could buy their music, they collected all the acoustic stuff, wrote some new songs and produced the new album. A project Dennis describes as “thoroughly joyous”.
The idea of DenMark was to re-record and remix all the acoustic tracks that had been made on Zed Records since 2000, and with a host of brand new tracks, to make the definitive Nine Below Zero acoustic release.
Dennis and Mark have been performing as a duo since their debut duo album was released in 2015, inspired by some of their favourite blues artists; such as Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Hank Williams and Sonny Boy Williamson.
Mark, over the years, as well as being a founder member of Nine Below Zero, has become the number one session harmonica player in the UK, in addition to joining The Rory Gallagher band and touring the world in the mid-eighties. He has recently worked with Jude Law on a stage play, teaching Jude the technique of playing the harmonica, and has played with a list of artists from George Michael to Nigel Kennedy.
Dennis has been a member of Nine Below Zero from the beginning, producing more than 20 albums and playing guitar on stage with Eric Clapton, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, The Who, The Kinks, The Allman Brothers, Brian May and many more of his guitar heroes.
Dennis also formed The Truth in 1982, they appeared on Top Of The Pops on TV, and the band had a hit in the US in 1987.
DenMark is the culmination of the 40-plus years of experience that the duo have shared together and separately. The nine-date tour is a series of intimate shows, by two musicians who are masters of their class.
- Dennis and Mark from Nine Below Zero’s album “DenMark: The Definitive Nine Below Zero Acoustic Collection” is out now. The current acoustic duo tour dates and the forthcoming full band Nine Below Zero 2024/25 tour dates with Dr Feelgood can be found here: https://www.ninebelowzero.com/
Dennis Greaves’ “Track Record:”
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
I remember some of my mum’s Adam Faith EP records, but that was more for the sleeves. I think it was “Baby Roo” by Connie Francis from my parents’ record collection.
2. First single you owned?
That’s easy, because I got it with my pocket money that I saved up. I went to the A1 stores in the Walworth Road [London] in 1965 and bought “My Generation” by The Who.
3. First LP/album you owned?
1967, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles – again bought with my own pocket money.
4. First CD you owned?
Two-CD box set of “Robert Johnson Delta Blues” – it had all his 29 recordings.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
Lake Street Dive “Hypothetical” [Download].
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
It would have to be the “Woodstock” triple vinyl albums set.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
That’s really tough because it would be a different answer tomorrow. But today, I’ll go with “Abbey Road”, The Beatles.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
Again would be a different answer tomorrow. Single would be “Itchycoo Park”, The Small Faces. EP: “Magical Mystery Tour”, The Beatles. Album: “What’s Going On”, Marvin Gaye.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
I do have “Oliver” the musical by Lional Bart, and “The Best of Shirley Bassey” in my vinyl collection. Oh, and “Mrs Mills Live!”
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Music is my whole life and I’ve dedicated 45 years to it. During the pandemic, of course you could listen to music, but not being able to play live in front of a crowd made me think: If this is what retirement is like, then you can stuff it!
It was torture, because we knew we would be the last to be set free to be able to gather in a venue and play music. I hated the on- line stuff, it made me even more depressed.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
For me it’s “Split” by the Groundhogs or “Electric Ladyland” by Jimi Hendrix – but it puts my wife on edge because they have to be played really LOUD! So I do it when she’s not there.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
Probably the best of The Kinks, but I would have to compile it: “Waterloo Sunset”, “Dead End Street”, “Superman”, “Lola Versus Powerman”, to name a few.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
To drive to I would say “On The Road Again” by Canned Heat, or “Smokestack Lightning” by Howlin’ Wolf. To exercise to, it would have to be “Gimme Little Sign” by Brenton Wood.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
Anything by Marvin Gaye.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“Why Did You Do It?”, by Stretch.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
Oh, that’s easy, but so hard to sing: “Delilah” by Tom Jones. You have to change the key.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
“Hit The Road Jack” by Ray Charles. We were travelling to Cornwall in 1962 in my dad’s Ford Consul for the summer holidays, when the boot flew open and all my dad’s suits were blown all over the A303, to be run over by following lorries. I cried for days. So when I hear that song, I’m a bit traumatized!
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Santana, Muddy Waters. That’s today, it will be different tomorrow.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)
Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“Stop The World I Want To get Off” by Anthony Newley.
