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We are Half Moon Panic
Half Moon Panic (HMP) was formed in April 2019 for a one-off show to celebrate Taj’s birthday at the Half Moon Pub, Hildenborough.
At that show we were asked to perform with the Paul Cook Blues Band at their summer festival....
The band - which at that time wasn't a real band - panicked!! .... agreed to play and Half Moon Panic were born.. more gigs followed.
During 2020, a year that none of us will forget, Gerard and Taj signed with UBAS Records and recorded and released the semi-live (due to Covid restrictions) debut album "Welcome to the Small Time", which received critical acclaim across the world.
As lock down ended we were joined by James Dixon on drums and our Blues Rock Power Trio was complete.
Since this time, the band has gone from strength to strength, playing at festivals across the UK, including the Leeds Blues Festival and the Ealing Blues Festival. Also supporting some legendary musicians including; Ben Poole, Dr. Feelgood, Chantel McGregor, Wendy James (Transvision Vamp) and American blues band Misty Blues at venues including The 100 Club London and the world famous Cavern Club Liverpool - achieving some tremendous media reviews.
The new album 'Second Time Around' was released in October 2023 and the mini-EP "Songs from the Pit" continues to receive great support on social media and digital music channels.
Describing the pit sessions EP, 'Wrinkly Rockers Club' wrote "if music was packaged like food, this would be the equivalent of a tempting looking half baguette, so crammed with delicious looking filling that the contents tumble out of the side. Sometimes of course you find that there is not much content inside. Happily this cracking little 3-song EP is full of Melodic Rock, leaving the listener more than pleasantly satisfied..".
Tim Marcus in his review for 'Blues in Britain' magazine describes the band as "Blues rock, pushing the boundaries of 'heavy' and even the occasion edge to it.. at times suggesting influences of early Blue Oyster Cult and Dire Straits".
We would love your support on our journey - join us at our live gigs, follow us / click like on social media, download the music, buy the merchandise... we promise you will not be disappointed. We love what we do and you will too.
Half Moon Panic Originals
The band
Gerard Jacques - Vocals / Bass
Gerard Jacques - Vocals / Bass
Gerard Jacques - Vocals / Bass
Born and raised in Wales. Gerard bought his first guitar at the age of 14, turned it into a leftie and self-taught.
He joined his first band at 17, picked up the bass and loved the feel and sound (inspired by the late Chris Squire of Yes in his style). Gerard fell into singing lead vocals when no one else wanted to do it!
He has an eclec
Born and raised in Wales. Gerard bought his first guitar at the age of 14, turned it into a leftie and self-taught.
He joined his first band at 17, picked up the bass and loved the feel and sound (inspired by the late Chris Squire of Yes in his style). Gerard fell into singing lead vocals when no one else wanted to do it!
He has an eclectic range of music inspiration including the Beatles, the Police, Talking Heads, Marillion, Genesis and Yes, to name but a few.
Married to Carey, who encouraged him to restart his musical career in 2018 and together with Taj, Half Moon Panic was formed in 2019 and they have developed a powerful band and songwriting relationship.
Full of energy, Gerard is also a qualified rugby union referee and a DiveMaster!
James Dixon - Drums
Gerard Jacques - Vocals / Bass
Gerard Jacques - Vocals / Bass
James “Robobop” Dixon joined the band in 2021. JD is a true 80’s child and influenced by Dixon snr, was soon listening to the New Romantics of the age, New Order and Status Quo (that’s what he said!)
an obsession with Stewart Copeland and the Police corrected his path, and the emergence of Oasis cemented JD’s journey and obsession with no
James “Robobop” Dixon joined the band in 2021. JD is a true 80’s child and influenced by Dixon snr, was soon listening to the New Romantics of the age, New Order and Status Quo (that’s what he said!)
an obsession with Stewart Copeland and the Police corrected his path, and the emergence of Oasis cemented JD’s journey and obsession with noise.
From drum machines to donated Gretsch kits rescued from the bonfire of an ‘Aunts punk Boyfriend’, JD found his passion.
JD joined HMP in their hour of need and quickly became the third element of the power trio. Who knows we might be able to crack a smile onto that serious face!
Taj Mian - Guitar
Gerard Jacques - Vocals / Bass
Taj Mian - Guitar
Taj’s love for the guitar really started when he was 13/14 and he discovered Iron Maiden. He quickly formed a band with Speedy Jim (drums), and they terrorised the conservative neighbourhoods of Tunbridge Wells most weekends!
Taj and Speedy gigged for a while and called it a day after the 25th-anniversary gig. With a musical heritage in
Taj’s love for the guitar really started when he was 13/14 and he discovered Iron Maiden. He quickly formed a band with Speedy Jim (drums), and they terrorised the conservative neighbourhoods of Tunbridge Wells most weekends!
Taj and Speedy gigged for a while and called it a day after the 25th-anniversary gig. With a musical heritage in rock and prog, Taj discovered a love for modern rock blues and formed a couple of fun projects.
The Expandables and Alcatraz Blues.
Half Moon Panic is about friends and family, and the debut album is all about that! The album title “Welcome to the Small Time” is actually a sequel to a song that Taj wrote in 1993, called Hitting the Small Time. The only song he wrote in that decade
