Guitarist Neil Rote - formerly of The Jumpdevils

The Jumpdevils was for a time an exciting and dynamic band in Melbourne, Australia, which soon enjoyed a dedicated following. This was largely within the Rock'n'Roll dance community, but the eclectic mix of Rock'n'Roll tinged with Blues, Funk, some Country, and even Jazz (largely due to guitarist Neil Rote's wide-ranging musical past) made the band attractive to a larger audience than the straight dance community.

Bassist John's driving bass (often on double-bass) was the perfect counterpoint to Neil's variety of vintage guitars (Neil left the band to concentrate on his business, Grouse Guitars, which specialises in vintage guitars, basses and amplifiers) and guitar styles, from the chordal solos reminiscent of Charlie Christian on full-bodied archtop semi-acoustic guitars, through to blistering single-note riffs using the clean, trebly sounds and country inflections of the Telecaster® and Stratocaster® style guitars.

Various drummers and other musicians (on harmonica, saxophone and even keyboards) came and went over the few years the basic partnership between John and Neil existed, and these friends have played and recorded in various levels and settings with Neil in subsequent years.

The original, individual and driving sound of The Jumpdevils has been lost to Melbourne audiences since 2006, although Neil has continued to take his expressive playing to Melbourne audiences, especially in his role with the house band of the long-lived Elwood Blues Jam, which celebrated its 11th anniversary in 2008. The Jumpdevils continued performing with varying lineups (John was the only 'constant', although he did do a stint on guitar, while guitarists, bassists, sax players and drummers seemed to come and go at a dizzying pace), but arguably the original sound was never recaptured.

Neil has since moved to rural Victoria, where he is enjoying the peace and inspiration the Australian landscape provides, and while immediately battling Bowel Cancer (diagnosed late in 2008), is planning to indulge in various creative pursuits while faithfully restoring his 1880s house. Watch out for the launch of an exciting new project Neil is developing with a core group of his favourite Melbourne musicians - The Kingtones will be letting you experience true GROOVE later in 2009, playing Melbourne and northern Victorian venues and festivals!