Phil Varca and The SlamJammers

A Blues Rock Trio from Long Island

Phil Varca & The SlamJammers, a powerful rockin’ blues band from Long Island, New York. The band formed in 1989, with Phil Varca, guitar and vocals, and drummer, Russell Stone, who have been together since the beginning.  Current bassist, Tom Porter, has been in the band since 1998.

First album and live performances

The band released their first album in 1992 “Lightning & Thunder,” an original five-song collection. The release was was met with great response, and the band was chosen to appear at The New York Music Seminar in 1992, and the 1993 South by South West Music Conference in Austin, Texas. Their first full album, “Ready, Willing, and Able,” was released in 1997, a culmination of eight years’ persistence, hard work, and determination, landed the group coveted showcase slots at the 1997 North by North East Music Conference in Toronto, Canada, 1998 CrossRoads Music Conference and BluesStock 1999, both held in Memphis, Tennessee.

The band’s live shows are where they show their talent. Extended improvisational jams and musical interplay have come to define the group’s live performances and reflect their experience. They are a solid working unit that consistently delivers. 2004, saw the release of “Live at Riverhead“ – recorded live at the 2002 Riverhead Blues Festival in Riverhead, New York. The recording features extended versions of original and cover material and a guest appearance by guitarist, Andy Aledort, senior editor for Guitar World magazine.

Video interview with Phil Varca