By Matt Morrissette
Not many things in this world last 40 years, be they corporations, personal relationships, or creative entities. A rock band encompasses all three of these things, which makes the longevity and continued evolution of Delaware’s Kid Davis & The Bullets truly noteworthy.
Since the early 1980s, Michael “Kid” Davis has been playing his unique brand of high-energy roots rock while spitting fire on his electric guitar with his steadfast friend, Bobby Bloomingdale, by his side on the upright bass. With a revolving lineup featuring some of the best and most passionate players Delaware has to offer, The Bullets have always been one of the best live bands in the area, driving their loyal fans to the sweaty, beer-drenched dance floor during their many weekly residencies at various local clubs (some of which they’ve outlasted by decades).
“It all comes down to trust and respect, onstage and off,” says Davis says, reflecting on the band’s longevity. “You’ve got to believe in each other, not just as musicians, but as people.
“I trust the guys in this band to bring everything they got, and I hope they feel the same about me. That kind of mutual respect is what keeps it all together.”
In 2025, Kid Davis & The Bullets are still at the peak of their powers and riding high from their induction into The Delaware Rock and Roll Society’s Hall of Fame in September of last year. They’ve nearly completed a new record, titled Amsterdam, slated for release in early summer, and they’ll be headed to Europe for their Onward, Upward, Eastward Tour at the end of May. They’ve also recently earned sponsorship from the beer Stella Artois.
For their new record, the band enlisted the production services of James Everhart, a Delaware native who played guitar in Philly’s Low Cut Connie and is the leader of the trippy country rock outfit, Cosmic Guilt. Everhart and Davis met at the first ever Shine A Light benefit at The Queen in Wilmington in 2012, but Everhart had been checking out the band to steal Davis’ guitar licks at shows in Newark for many years prior. With engineer and co-producer, Josh Friedman (drummer in Cosmic Guilt), the band recorded late last year at Hi5 Studio in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
As is appropriate for a skilled live band, the initial tracks were recorded live.
“On the very first day, we recorded 14 live tracks with two guitars, standup bass, and drums,” Everhart says. “We operate digitally now; tape is great, but if you’re doing it live, that’s where the real magic happens anyway.”
Discussing the new record, Davis is thrilled with what Everhart brings to the party.
“I really love the sound of Everhart’s records, and since he’s a longtime fan of the band, I thought it would be cool to see what he’d bring to our songs,” Davis says. “I wasn’t disappointed. It’s definitely the most intricate production I’ve ever been involved in with lots of layers and details.”
The record features the current band lineup that will appear on the tour. Beyond stalwarts Davis (on guitar and vocals) and Bloomingdale on standup bass, there’s Pat Kane on second guitar (who also plays pedal steel in Cosmic Guilt) and their newest member, Paul Ramsey, on the drums.
Additionally, there’s an all-star crew of local guest musicians on the album including Joe Trainor on keys, Pete Cogan on harmonica, Jordan Leitner on accordion, and Alan Yandziak on saxophone (who will also appear for a portion of the tour). There are crucial background vocals contributed by Hannah Taylor, Ali Wadsworth and C. Bradley Jacobs, as well.
However, the life’s blood of Kid Davis & The Bullets is live performance, which makes the full band’s first ever European tour a big deal for all concerned. Stops include the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
“We’ve never toured Europe as a band before, though it’s been a goal of mine for a long time,” Davis says. “I’ve traveled abroad a few times with my guitar and picked up some solo gigs, but bringing the whole band over is a dream come true.”
Unsurprisingly, as Europe embraced American blues and jazz in the mid-1900s before the U.S. caught on to the incredible art it had happening on its own shores, Davis finds his music gets a very warm reception overseas.
“From the gigs I’ve played over there and from what I’ve seen, there’s a real love and respect for American roots music in Europe,” he says. “It seems to be more widely accepted and appreciated than it sometimes is at home.”
Though obviously excited about the band’s fortunes abroad, Davis senses a turn in the tide culturally towards greater interest in more traditional music and Americana.
“I’m encouraged by the growing popularity of artists like Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and the rest of the ‘New Grass’ movement here in the United States,” he says. “I think there’s hope yet. Ask me again when I get back from tour.”
To catch the band in their true element, hit one of their Thursday night gigs at Gallucio’s in Wilmington, home to their current weekly residence.
“We never use a list so you’re never going to get the same show twice,” Davis says. “Pat (Bullets guitarist) and I have a great chemistry onstage, which leads to a lot of improvisational elements, and our fans (and we) seem to enjoy that spontaneity.”
The Bullets will soon see if European fans feel the same way.
— Visit KidDavisAndTheBullets.com
Above: The Bullets (l-r): Bobby Bloomingdale, Pat Kane, Paul Ramsey, Michael Davis. Photo by Ashley Craven.