Tankus the Henge are a British band based in London. Initially based around the songwriting of Jaz Delorean, the band has developed a style of music which they term “gonzo rock ‘n’ roll”, with influences from New Orleans jazz, psychedelic rock, 1970’s funk and songwriters such as Tom Waits and The Band. They are lyrically and aesthetically inspired by 20th century American literature such as the works of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Charles Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson, which they combine with influences from Delorean’s family heritage of working on funfairs and in the circus around the UK (1950s and 1960s rock ‘n’ roll, brightly painted artwork, carnival lights).
They explain their style as ‘Gonzo rock’n’roll’ which the dictionary defines as bizarre or crazy. Storytelling that races your pulse and moves your feet. Simon Wells from The Guardian describes it as …a virtual carnival of sound that’s high on energy and deep on soul. With copious helpings of R&B, blues, funk, disco, Django, a dose of Dexy’s, a drop of Ray Davies and a pinch of Madness … – it’s an exciting mélange of sound.”
The freewheeling Tankus the Henge, the chameleonic gonzo rock’n’rollers from London; always on tour, never stopping to consider the consequences. Originally based around the songwriting of Jaz Delorean, but now an eclectic gang of international travelling musicians, with a myriad influences to boot. Styled after the relentlessly touring acts of the late 1960s, Tankus the Henge ask what is a band anyway? It’s live, it’s original, it doesn’t answer to anyone. For that one wild night of lights, sound and overwhelming emotion, then roaring off into the night, tyre tracks in the dust.
The band was a PRS for Music featured artist in 2010, and in 2011 was named by Metro as one of their “Top 10 Acts To See” at Glastonbury Festival. In 2012, the group appeared on an album commemorating the 2012 London Olympics. Since then, they have played frequently during the European festival season, playing at Montreux Jazz Festival, Isle of Wight, WOMAD and hundreds of others. Tankus the Henge have a reputation for both the frequency and intensity of their live performances, and are near-permanently on tour across Europe. They were the first British band to tour in the EU since Brexit, and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The band released their third album, titled Luna Park!, in December 2020, produced by Gethin Pearson. The band are beginning to work on album No. 4 and will continue their work collaborating with visual artists to expand their unique world of storytelling.
