Real music by real people, played live and recorded live. This best embodies the philosophy of
established Boston band Delta Generators and their approach for their latest record ON & ON.
In an industry where technology has become the standard and intelligence has become artificial,
Delta Generators are keeping it real and will continue to do so going forward. All the songs on
this record were written, arranged and rehearsed over a period of eight days and then recorded in
two days at Power Station N.E. in Waterford, CT by Evan Bakke, best known for his work with
Warren Haynes and Prince. The idea was to get together, play and when something feels right,
work it! No preconceived ideas as to what it should be. A journey of liberation, inspiration and
perspiration. Yeah, Blues is the vehicle, but their lifelong love of rock music is the fuel that
powers it.
Brothers Charlie and Rick O’Neal, on guitar and bass respectively, have been playing together
since their teenage years. Most notably as members of Benjamin Orr’s band, former singer and
bass player with The Cars. Sometimes they would go off and do other projects, Charlie toured
with UK band Must and Rick played in Boston guitar hero Johnny A’s band, but inevitably they
would play together again and again. Charlie had been playing in rock bands throughout
his early years, but he was always a huge fan of Blues guitar. He spent years honing his abilities
by playing along with records. When the opportunity presented itself for a Blues driven side
project, he was all in. That moment altered his future, placing him in the position to celebrate his
passion for personal heroes like Elmore James, Freddie King and Albert Collins.
When the ensemble was first conceived, a lover of R&B and Soul named Craig Rawding took
the mic as the original front man. Charlie O’Neal brought on his brother Rick as the bassist. And
in 2007, the Delta Generators were born. The initial drummer had to bail after a few months, so
up-and-coming percussionist Jeff Armstrong was brought into the fold. By 2008, it was no
longer a side project, and they captured the win at the Boston Blues Challenge. They went on to
Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge where they almost took the top spot.
From there the band went on to forge a solid place in the Boston Blues scene. They went on to
record four records before Craig decided to leave the band in 2016. Enter Brian Templeton, a
fixture in the local scene since 1991. His band The Radio Kings had already recorded for two
labels, and he had toured all across the U.S. and Europe with them and as a solo artist. A
consummate showman and lover of the spirit, Brian was rooted in the rock music of his youth
and was already a seasoned Blues Man. It was a perfect fit and the rest as they say is history.
“Brian lifted the DGs to a new level with his showmanship and drive,” says Charlie, “I don’t
think the band would have continued if Brian hadn’t joined.” Brother Rick continues, “Besides
his top-notch vocals, Brian brought a powerful stage presence and killer harmonica playing to
the mix and his lyric writing is in a class all by itself."
The new album is anything but vanilla. After all these years together, the quartet has a voice and
swagger that is all their own. The new repertoire is a pure collaboration that has captured what
makes this union of these four musicians so organic and pure in its creation. Drummer Jeff
Armstrong shares, “Unlike the previous record, which was more of a compilation of great songs,
this new record stands in itself as a complete cohesive work.” Guitarist Charlie O’Neal offers ,
“ON & ON perfectly captures the live spirit of the band and is by far sonically superior to any of our previous albums.”
Delta Generators love writing and recording but they live to play live. Making a connection with
their fans is the most important part of it. As Templeton says. “Making a spiritual bond with the
people, our fans, is why we do what we do. There really is no other reason.”
