“Music is a pillar of human development and culture on many levels. It is means to expression, comunication, enjoyment, identifaction and a connecting glue in societies. I would like to see societies and their people open, educated and sensitised for these aspects and the power of arts in general.”

The Bluescats: Blues Conversation 

The Bluescats are a premier German blues band, known for their sophisticated, "jazzy" approach to the genre. Core members are Jens Filser on Guitar & Vocals, Till Brandt on Bass & vocals; and Bernd Oppel or Mickey Neher on Drums & Vocals. The Bluescats was established as a high-caliber unit designed to collaborate with international blues stars. They are highly sought after as a backing band, having toured and recorded with artists like Tommie Harris, Brenda Boykin, and Greg Copeland. The Bluescats are part of The Willie Dixon Project, one of their most significant recent works, where they teamed up with various guests to celebrate the legacy of blues icon Willie Dixon. Their sound is distinctive for blending traditional Chicago-style blues with elements of soul, funk, and jazz, creating a modern and polished feel.

(The Bluescats are Jens Filser, Till Brandt, and Mickey Neher / Photo by Meinolf F Reimering)

Cats are known for their intense social lives: hunting mice together, devouring them, and then peacefully roaming the city rooftops together, gazing at the full moon. The Bluescats live a similar life. Jens Filser, the band's leader, is an indispensable figure in the German blues scene. Bernd Oppel and Till Brandt have been a well-established rhythm section for years. Jens, Bernd, and Till also play together in the band Get the Cat. Can all this be a coincidence? Certainly not. That's why it was finally time to form a pack with BLUESCATS and spend nights with a shared blues groove. And how they blues!

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

Jens: The Blues to me is an easily accessible vehicle of expression. Fortunately when growing up in the 70ties/80ties in Germany there was already a big deal of handmade music to be heard and seen. Mainly in the mainstream TV and Radio at that time. A lot of it was blues based , rock oriented material. And not to forget, a local music scene was much more alive than nowadays. So playing and improvising music became something worthwhile to me and I decided to take it to a professional level with an academic education. Coming back to the Blues I think my humble understanding comes from early exposure in the context provided, and enjoying rhythm and raw drive. Interest in origin and historic importance of this part part of afro-american culture developed later on the way.

Till: The Blues is the root of all popular music. I recognize it in the playing and singing of all modern players and singers that touch me. I still remember the first blues concerts I experienced as a teenager. They pulled me in an that draft never let go.

Mickey: The blues came to me with Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Johnny Winter, and all black artists, I could find all the Kings, Buddy Guy, Johnny Guitar Watson… through my brother and friends. The blues is a deep feeling of sadness and also joy. Expression pure...!

How did the idea of band come about? What characterize your music philosophy?

Till: I have always been a band person... naturally because I play bass, an instrument every band needs but also an instrument that need bands. I see the bass as a serving instrument. If I play good others sound good and that is very satisfying. Actually, I think in a good band every member has something to say but has the same interest in listening to the others and making them shine. Music really is all about conversation, it's a language.

Why do you think that the blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Germany?

Jens: There is indeed a devoted following in Germany with online activities, even a printed magazine and clubs with possibilities to play live music. The directness, easy accessibility and simple approach to musical expression seems to still work as means to entertainment and cultural activity in a broader sense.I consider the musical and emotional content of especially the original US American heritage so strong and still relatable that it will always find its audience not only in Germany but in most other ­ parts of the world. Nevertheless the average age of the targetgroups and changes in cultural activities will play a role to be considered.

Till: Blues has a great following out of tradition. But clearly the audience is growing old. That does not mean the music itself is not attractive to a younger audience but it very often is not known in their world.

“Music brings people together and I want it to be in a loving, caring and friendly way. That alone is an effect that the world needs. Last year I saw a show of Bonnie Raitt and I can't think of a better way to bring people together in an integrating, friendly manner but still saying what you don't approve to.” (The Bluescats and Greg Copeland on stage / Photo by Meinolf F Reimering)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Jens: For me when playing to a live audience, recording etc.the strongest moments are those, where the music plays itsself. That means as a player/improviser you don´t have to think about the surrounding circumstances, instead you follow your inspiration freely. In my 40 years of live experience this happened a lot of times, independant from locations and particular gigs. Concerning the Bluescats I recommend listening to the recordings with the late great Tommie Harris where I can hear some of  these great moments.

Till: When we played in Paris with Tommie Harris he came to me after the show and thanked me for getting the band together. He said that he was so happy to get his food in the door for further engagements in Paris. To hear that from a 85 year old singer gave me such a wonderful perspective of looking ahead and always trying to improve. I rests with me as a perspective to look at live itself.

Mickey: I had too many fine thrilling memories ...I remember when I was young playing with the English guitar player, Roy Herrington. He was playing an extra expressive solo turning his head above, and I felt flying away!

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Jens: Music gets my interest if it is handmade and produced with a human touch, ideally with depth and a high level of musical ability of the artists. With the possibility of easy recording and self distribution we have lot more music from different artistic levels and intentions. I think there is still great music to be found for every taste, even music made „like they did in the past“ It is just not mainstream anymore. Plus with the facts of the digital world there are copyright issues everywhere. Consequently this could imply, that making a living as an artist will become more difficult. In the long run this will effect the quality of the overall output.­

Till: Today nothing is new anymore. I sometimes miss the feeling of hearing something for the first time but of course that has to do with getting old too.  On the other hand I always find some new bands or sounds that really exite and thrill me, there is so much good music out there today. I do fear that music made by AI will take over more and more but of course I hope people will always feel the difference.

Mickey: I hope that human action and performance will be on top of KI. We don't need no plastic anymore! In any kind!!!

How can a band/musician truly turn the blues into a commercial and popular genre of music for the today's audience?

Mickey: If they can show an authentic feeling to share for the audience. Because it’s a black culture music thing!

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Jens: Music is a pillar of human development and culture on many levels. It is means to expression, comunication, enjoyment, identifaction and a connecting glue in societies. I would like to see societies and their people open, educated and sensitised for these aspects and the power of arts in general.

Till: Music brings people together and I want it to be in a loving, caring and friendly way. That alone is an effect that the world needs. Last year I saw a show of Bonnie Raitt and I can't think of a better way to bring people together in an integrating, friendly manner but still saying what you don't approve to.

Mickey: Always! Specially, when I’m playing and singing my songs with my band. I want the people to think about things and habits and changes!

The Bluescats - Home

(Photo: The Bluescats with Brenda Boykin and Tommie Harris / The Willie Dixon Project)