If ever there was a band capable of giving the blues a jackboot kick deep into the 21st century, it's Twin Dragons. Conceived by ex-Savoy Brown singer/bass player Nathaniel Peterson, it's the first in a line of projects giving him the opportunity to perform with guitarists and other musicians from across the world.

The first incarnation of Twin Dragons featured one of Italy's best-known guitarists, Andrea Braido, who has played in many pop-rock bands in his native country. "He was the first guitarist that the agency recommended" says Peterson. "I jammed with him and everything seemed to work out, so we wrote a bunch of songs together and started doing some live shows". With Peterson more of a blues traditionalist and Braido a jazz-rock guitarist at heart, it's a most unusual collaboration. But it seems to work. "Andrea was trying to break away from the pop-rock thing in Italy, and I figured it would be a good thing to take him off in a totally new direction" Peterson says.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, the irrepressible Peterson served an enviable apprenticeship, jamming with the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Mitch Ryder, Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Iggy Pop and Tim Buckley. He throws all these influences and more into the Twin Dragons mix. He has also given Braido artistic license to stretch the blues whatever way it suits him. Though protracted and self-indulgent at times, The Twin Dragons' sound still has enough bite to win over audiences. "I think the blues is an instant expression of emotion," Peterson says. "Every night you hear it, the guitarist should have a different interpretation, taking the audience on an educational journey in expressing sound".

On stage, for this new stint of live touring, Peterson and Braido will be joined by superstar drummer Mike Terrana (Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Macalpine, Steve Lukather (Toto), Gamma Ray, Rage, Kee Marcello, etc).