Bio

From the dark corners of Devon an idea was born… Two guys, a few riffs and an aptitude for showmanship.

Moriaty are a two-piece band that occasionally flirt with other musicians, we’ve worked with a variety of rappers, singers, poets, bass players and we intend to develop our relationships with other artists in the future.  We have always intended to stretch and skew the 2 piece phenomenon: we like working inside the box – we just like making a bit more room in there!

With various awards, critical acclaim, albums, EP’s, shows and singles under the belt: 2015 will be an interesting year!

PHILOSOPHY

“The intention from the start was to enjoy music again and have a lot of fun doing so.  At no time have we or will we lose site of this.

From the depths of the delta blues, swing and boogie woogie scenes of the 20′s, 30′s and 40′s, to the rock ‘n’ roll and jive of the 50′s, through to 70′s punk, 80′s metal, 90′s indie and 00′s GarageRock: we take our cues from history, not from dickheads with fake glasses.

The literature of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a heavy influence. “We just think Holmes is really cool, but having always been attracted to the darker side of life, Moriarty just stood out as a basis for our music.  He is clever, devilish and unrepentant – what more do you want from a band?.  Influences? Blind Willie McTell, Bill Hayley, Dylan, The Beatles, Zepplin, Sabbath, Misfits, The Pistols, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Noel Gallagher, Mr White, our mates!, the usual suspects I suppose.

I think music is about escape, people sing songs because they want, for a few minutes to be in a different world, somewhere where everyday life doesn’t bother them: thats why we listen to music, and thats why we play it!” – ‘Jordan West’

REVIEWS

BBC introducing’s James Santer has said…

“One of the most exciting and explosive bands to come around for a long long time… If I was in a band, I’d wanna be in Moriaty.”

247 Magazine

“A handful of default bands always spring to mind when a drum ‘n’ guitar duo looms into view, but Moriaty aren’t here to pander to such stereotypes… the sharp suited twosome are clearly having fun, devoid of agenda & pure of purpose… Bravo!”

Cleanslatemusic

“Playing live they have such an impressive wall of sound that hits you like a rampaging herd of wildebeest. It’s dirty, fuzzed to the eyeballs with romping ball breakingly handsome blues riffs a-plenty, tied down with genius percussion, slick vocals and snazzy suits.”

West Briton – What’s On

Devon’s Moriaty have something Drenge currently lack – charisma. Guitarist/singer Jordan West is a natural frontman; a West Country Jon Spencer if you like. You can hear everything from the Misfits through to Rage Against The Machine in blistering rock’n’roll fuzz tones such as Esperanza. With an album due next year, be like Sherlock Holmes. Hunt out Moriaty (and find the lost ‘r’ while you’re about it).