Xander & The Peace Pirates

Location: Liverpool

Challenge: Born without Arm

Website: www.xanderandthepeacepirates.com

Xander and the Peace Pirates are a testament to musical integrity and personal strength. Combining soul, blues and rock, their pervasive blend of inspired song writing and memorable performances has already seen them enrapture audiences from around the world.

Brothers Keith and Stuart Xander have been playing a regular weekly slot at The Cavern – as well as the North West circuit, along with support slots for stadium rockers Bon Jovi and Ritchie Kotzen. But now they have come to the attention of one of the world’s most famous guitar companies – Gibson.

Gibson guitars recognized their musical skills and song writing talents – but also the fact that guitarist Keith doesn’t actually have a right hand – he plays the guitar with a prosthetic ‘hook’ adapted to hold a plectrum!

Keith was always told by his school music teachers he would never be able to play a two handed instrument with a prosthetic hand – of course he proved them all wrong, and is now a world class virtuoso – and an inspiration to musicians everywhere!

2015 has seen the band’s revered and exalted status as a live-performance juggernaut evolve even further after concluding their 5-year tenure as the resident band at Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club; supporting guitar royalty Joe Bonamassa and Joe Satriani at ‘Classic Rocknacht’ in Loreley, playing sold out shows supporting 60's legend Manfred Mann and guitar blues legend Robben Ford across Germany; and finally culminating in being personally invited to support ex-Whitesnake and Blues-guitar Hero Bernie Marsden on his UK tour.

With haunting riffs, genius melodies, and an irrepressibly infectious charisma, Xander and the Peace Pirates continue to share their musical passion to standing ovations, while spreading a universal message of peace, love and harmony.

Its more than likely a safe bet to assume that pretty much every person that attends a Xander & The Peace Pirates gig leaves with the belief that this was one of the best gigs they have ever witnessed. And if mass chanting after every song was anything to go by, this band should be leading the music charts and headlining festivals across the UK.

Xander and the Peace Pirates - "Soul Sailing"