KRIS POHLMANN - Biography

The Roots

Kris Pohlmann was born in 1977, near London, England. At the age of 13 he was inspired by Status Quo to start learning the guitar. Three years later, on his way to school, Kris discovered Stevie Ray Vaughan on the front cover of a guitar magazine. He bought his greatest hits CD and was immediately hooked. Kris then delved deeper into the world of blues, exploring artists like Free, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Healey, Freddie King, Albert King and, above all, Gary Moore. His tone, technique and rock approach to playing blues was Kris’ biggest inspiration. At the age of 22 Kris moved to Germany and has lived there ever since. In 2003 Kris started to write his own songs and in 2005 he formed his first band. His admiration for the blues quickly developed into passion.

Kris Pohlmann Band

Kris wanted to play his songs live on stage and perform to people. Forming a band was the obvious step. With Warren Richardson (Bass) and soon after, Elmar Stolley (Drums) he had found the right musicians. The trio would quickly gain a reputation as an energetic and entertaining live act. Following numerous concerts and support slots (for Eric Gales & Nine Below Zero) they recorded their debut album ‘New Resolution’ in 2009. The album was warmly received by the press and the German Rock Music Association awarded the band with the prize ‘Best Blues Band’ at the end of 2009. On the back of this release the band toured Germany and showed enthusiastic crowds around the country that the award was justified.
In 2012 the follow-up album ‘One For Sorrow’ was released. Despite the first album encompassing numerous styles, ‘One For Sorrow’ was much more rock oriented. This album showed how much Kris had developed as a singer and guitarist. The album received great press reviews not only in Germany, but also in the UK, Netherlands and the US. The year 2012 was rounded off perfectly by winning 4 awards at the German Rock Music Association award ceremony: ‘Best Blues Singer’, ‘Best Blues Band’, ‘Best Blues Album’ & ‘Best Blues Song’. During 2012 and early 2013 the band toured Germany & the Netherlands extensively with a mix of club and festival gigs. At the Highlands Festival in Amersfoort in the Netherlands, May 2013, the band shared the stage with the likes of Ten Years After, Ryan McGarvey, Ben Poole & Pat Travers. The band’s electric performance was praised by the festival organisers, national press & festival-goers. This was to be the band’s last performance together. After 8 years with the band, Warren decided to leave due to job commitments. Kris decided to disband the trio and start afresh.

Kris Pohlmann

For Kris the band was always ‘a band’. A sum of the individual parts and no part could be replaced easily. After Warren announced he was leaving it was clear to Kris that the band would never be the same again. As a result Kris decided to continue his musical career as a solo artist and pursue his vision with even more dedication: Blues-Rock that never ignores its roots. Music that is honest, powerful, and hits the listener right in the place that it was derived from: the heart. It’s a brave move to step out of the comfort zone and head down a new road, a road dictated by the music itself. Today Kris is working on new songs for a new album, with the working title ‘Taylor Road’. The album is scheduled to be released in 2014. Kris Pohlmann is heading back to his roots.
Rock songs with big guitar riffs. Heavy. Intense. Dedicated to the blues.