Kris Barras: Down And Dirty

'The Divine And Dirty' wears its heritage proudly. Songs such as I Don't Owe Nobody Nothing, Propane and She's More Than Enough shows the breadth of influences that stretches back to Led Zeppelin, the Stones, Howlin' Wolf and Free. However, there's a modern energy to it as well that places Kris Barras in a similar mould to current rock heavyweights such as Rival Sons, Black Stone Cherry and The Cadillac Three.

Dan Le Gresley

Kris Barras - Down And Dirty
Following the release of The Kris Barras Band brand new album 'The Divine And Dirty' on Provogue/Mascot Label Group earlier this year, Dan Le Gresley  speaks with the man himself, Kris Barras about his career to date, early influences and how his life experiences are shaping the new

Kris Barras isn't one to shy away from a challenge.  As a former Mixed Martial Artist, the singer and guitarist has fought in front of 8000 people, lived it up in Las Vegas, dealt with bankruptcy, suffered a deep and personal loss, unleashed southern-fried blues fury on stages across Europe and been voted one of the best 13 Blues Guitarists in the World Right Now in 2017.

He picked up the guitar and took up martial arts as a child. After playing in bands throughout his teens he became disillusioned. He had toured the east coast of the USA twice and recorded an album in Philadelphia, but struggled to get to the next level. By his early 20s, offers for fights were coming thick and fast. Music took a backseat as he travelled the world to compete in tournaments, winning 14 out of 17 fights and even settling to live in Las Vegas and Thailand.

People used to think I was crazy to be fighting in cages, risking damage to my hands,