The Gene Drayton Unit (aka GDU) does the Hammond & horn thing in a way that references the 60's, but is at the same time thoroughly modern. 

With the blues at the root, the sound fuses jazz, rhythm ‘n’ blues, garage, northern soul, rock, funk and punk.  Live GDU shows are renowned for their energy, excitement and unpredictability - nothing’s ruled out in the GDU repertoire; as Gene always maintains, You Can’t Sit Still. 

The Unit has released 7 vinyl singles and 3 LPs, and has gigged extensively across England and in Italy, Spain, Sweden, France, Ireland, Belgium, Greece and Scotland.  All available albums and singles, including our latest single (Chips and Beans/Geno) and album (Done'n'Dusted) are now on sale in our shop.

NEWSFLASH: GDU SPLIT!

Just after our last gig of 2009, Mark 'Zoot' Norton, GDU's esteemed saxophonist, flautist, blues harpist and occasional vocalist, announced that he was leaving the Unit.
 
The others tried to persuade him to stay, but he has other plans, and feels the GDU has gone as far as it can. Following a very brief conversation, the remaining four agreed that a GDU without Zoot is not worthy of the name, so once we've fulfilled our remaining engagements, we'll bring Gene's nine-year career to a close.
 
We've had some amazing times during the last decade, from our debut in the late BB's fantastic East London Dancing Club to playing the 100 Club 25 times; from our first trip abroad to the Autumn Stone festival in Cattolica to our mini-tour of France; the Ye-Ye in Gijon; regular returns to Bourges; and shows in Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden.
 
We've seen several changes of line-up, with Darren Moore, Bill Ali, Clive Pearman and Phil Clark all playing parts in developing what became one of the most exciting live acts in London. Constant throughout, though, has been Zoot, whose energy and enthusiasm gave the Unit the focal point of excitement so often missing from instrumental bands. We'd all like to thank him for starting the band that gave all of us some of the most exciting musical moments of our careers - and the setting for innumerable stories that couldn't possibly be repeated on a family friendly website.
 
So - to 2010. Mark C is pushing ahead with the development of The Getup, Bleddyn's working hard in Dangerous Heresy, Clinton and Toby are getting a new blues project together with Valenka of the Moombas, and the Orgestra Koolberg and Hammond Hitmen will be hoping to get many more live dates.  Zoot's future plans include gigging and writing with The Fantastics! (You can find links to all these projects on the LINKS page).
 
Before that, the remaining four members of GDU are planning to retire Gene in style. We're back at the fantastic Bar Mondial in Antwerp, Belgium for a mod all-nighter on Friday March 19th, followed by our swansong at the ever-groovy Brussels Rhythm 'n' Blues Club on Saturday March 20th. There'll be some special tunes in the sets each night, and some extra-special memorabilia deals on the night. 
 
Hope to see some of you there - more details to follow closer to the time.

We'll be keeping the website up and running for a while, including the SHOP, and there will be some bargains to be had, so keep your eyes open for notice of the closing down sale!
 
Thanks to all of you who've supported the Unit over the years - we all hope you'll be as enthusiastic about our new projects.
 
Hope to see you soon!