THE BLIND DOG MAYER GROUP * FROM THE SHADOW OF THE CASTLE *

 

My band, THE BLIND DOG MAYER GROUP, and I released our new EP, “LIVE STUDIO SESSION - FROM THE SHADOW OF THE CASTLE,” on BLUES NOTE RECORDS.

The album is currently playing on radio stations worldwide and is now also available as an audio CD.

I—and we—are all the more pleased that we’ve already received very positive initial reviews from music magazines.

Here’s an example:

>> I have to say that Blind Dog Mayer is a new band that has recently come across my radar. Originating from Germany, this four-piece band has produced a six-track EP, consisting of original material, penned by the band themselves. Anthem Of The Lost Sock is not a song title that you could easily forget, but this opening track hits you like a bolt of lightning. Leaning towards the rockier side of the Blues, it certainly packs a punch. It did put me in mind ever so slightly of early ZZ Top. Blind Dog Mayer is the lead vocalist, and he is also very adept at the harmonica. Dirk Lenz plays a mean guitar with raunchy riffs that create a harmony alongside the vocals. As I listened to the songs, one thought did pop into my head: these guys would grace any Festival line-up. Harley Rider is perhaps the Bluesiest song on the EP, especially with the haunting harmonica courtesy of Blind Dog. So, all in all, a brilliant band, great EP, and I, for one, am looking forward to a full album in the not-too-distant future. <<

STEPHEN HARRISON (Reviews Editor, Blues Matters

Winner of the GERMAN ROCK & POP AWARD 2025

(Best Blues Rock Band)

Blind Dog Mayer is a name that has stood for the soulful and dark essence of blues music for 25 years. Known for his charismatic stage presence and deep connection to the blues, this artist has carved out a unique place for himself in the music scene.

With his participation in 17 live and studio productions released to date (eight of which are his own), Angel Ocasio Jr.'s first blues album (Cash's Juke Joint, USA) was released on September 1, 2025, on which he can be heard playing the harmonica. Another international single was released on October 31. 2025 together with lap steel master Andrea De Luca (Italy) and Grammy-nominated and award-winning pianist Anthony Geraci (USA). It is a musical preview of another upcoming album production, which will be released in 2026.

With harmonica in hand and his raspy expressive vocals, Blind Dog Mayer channels the spirit of the blues greats by combining traditional styles with his own innovative twists. His music is a testament to the unbroken power of the blues and bridges the gap between past and present. This also earned him the “Award: VOICE OF BLUES” from Orange Amplifiers UK in 2020.

Whether as a soloist/vocalist or alongside other renowned musicians, Blind Dog Mayer celebrates the heritage of the blues with his performances, captivating audiences with his authentic sound and sincere delivery. His dedication to the craft is evident in every note he plays and sings, making him a true ambassador of the blues tradition. With his music, Blind Dog Mayer is inspiring a new generation of listeners and igniting their passion for the blues. His journey is not just about music, but an ongoing tribute to the roots of the blues, its facets and its transformative power.

Blind Dog Mayer's musical journey is a testament to his dedication and love for the blues. His career has been marked by a series of collaborations with international blues greats that have enriched his style and broadened his horizons.

He has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Big Daddy Wilson, Aynsley Lister and Louisiana Red, to name but a few. His role as sideman and special guest has taken him to various festivals and clubs where his performances have been met with much acclaim. Tour support for world-famous stars such as Glenn Hughes and Walter Trout at sold-out festivals and halls also enriches his musical work. 

Particularly noteworthy is his live EP “live at stummsche reithalle”, which made it into the Top 10 of the Amazon Music Bestseller Albums for Blues and even into the TOP 5 of the PICA HIT-TRACKS Top 100 in the Netherlands.  But Blind Dog Mayer continues to score points not only “on stage” but also in the recording sector. As a bookable recording artist, he was able to celebrate another top 10 place in 2023, this time in the IBBA Blues Charts in the UK, on the album of a German blues band, on which he played the blues harp as a special guest. 

However, he has also proven his qualities as a headliner in clubs and festivals several times with his own formations. Mayer's presence at renowned festivals such as the Intern. Jazz & Bluestage Verden, the Intern. Seydel Mundharmonika Festival Klingenthal and the Blues 'n Jazz Rallye or the Blues Express in Luxembourg, for example, underlines his influence on the blues scene. 

His work as a brand ambassador for C.A. Seydel 1847 Harmonicas, Husky Harmonica Gear and even for the world-famous cult amplifier brand ORANGE Amplifiers (as the world's first and so far only harmonica amp ambassador for Orange), underpins his influence and status within the music scene. 

INFO & PHOTOS : 

https://blind-dog-mayer.jimdofree.com