Leo LaDell has been based in Dunedin for years now, but has played with some of the biggest names in blues in his native America.
LaDell has fronted blues bands for more than 15 years, while helping out musicians such as the late great Bo Diddley, among others.
"Both Bo and Chuck Berry would tour the states and [grab] a band in each city. I was living and playing in Denver, we rehearsed with Bo for a week, and our drummer got a lesson from Bo on how to do the 'Bo Diddley beat'."
With the Growling Dogs, LaDell plays music from Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Little Walter, as well as original compositions.
LaDell grew up in Virginia, and spent a little time over three years in Denver before coming to New Zealand.
The Growling Dogs are Paul Southworth on bass, Rob Falconer on drums, and Anders Jensen on guitar.
When asked to describe the band's sound to a deaf person, LaDell says it is about the beat.
"I'd focus on the solid backbeat in the sort of blues we play. With the double bass and kick drum locking in together, you can definitely feel the beat as well as hear it.
"To put the music in context, I'd mention that stylistically, we borrow a lot from Muddy Waters, B. B. King, Little Walter, and other blues heroes."
The band is touring the new album just around Dunedin for a start, before possibly going further afield.
"We did a tour of the North Island in January, hitting venues up the west side from Wellington to Auckland. We will definitely be doing some more touring this year around New Zealand and possibly Australia as well."
La Dell says the band knocked out the album quite quickly.
"The album took four days to record, plus another half-day or so of bits and bobs. I do the singing and play guitar, harmonica and keyboards on the album. Paul Southworth played double bass, Rob Falconer drums, and Anders Jensen guitar.
"Rob also did the recording and mixing.
"We recorded Mad Love at the Albany St studio (the one run by Otago University), and Rob Falconer and Vernon Sawers did the recording. Tex Houston mastered it."
LaDell says even though the band has just put an album out, it has more material up its collective sleeve.
"We haven't started on the next album yet. This one is a double album with 20 tracks, so that will hold us for a bit. But we will begin rehearsing new material soon."
• Catch them
King Leo and the Growling Dogs play Waitati Hall tonight, then at St Lee's, in Dundas St, Dunedin, tomorrow night from 8pm.
