Captain RedEye and The Hoods – Forged in the gin-joints and speakeasies of Leeds in early 2001, Captain Redeye and the Hoods are purveyors of highly-refined vintage Gangster Swing, taking a heavy influence from the bands of the 1990s swing revival such as Royal crown Revue and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

The band based its name around the mythical figure of Captain Redeye, the legendary alter-ego of an original band member, who had a penchant for wine, women and all-night revelry, and could usually be found propping up the bars of smoke-filled Jazz lounges until the early hours of the morning.

Musically ‘the Hoods’ serve up a heady cocktail of styles and genres, from high-octane jump-jazz, through hip-shaking swing, to finger-poppin’ rhythm and blues, all with a dash of Latin thrown in for good measure. Much of their inspiration and playlist is drawn from the golden Hollywood era of the 1930s-50s and features old favourites from artists such as Louis Prima, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and Ray Charles, as well as original compositions and rock and pop reinterpretations, all delivered in the Hoods own hard-swingin’ style.