CRITICALLY acclaimed southern and county rock stalwarts The Kentucky Headhunters are bringing their original brand of American rock and roll to the Lakes.

Their show, at Bootleggers in Kendal, will be their first trip to the area, and will feature as part of the band's long overdue maiden UK tour.

Based out of Edmonton in their namesake state, the band was one of the originators of the southern rock genre, and have been playing music together in various forms since the late 60s.

The band itself was formed out of the remains of a group called Itchy Brother, after that group came to an end in the mid-1980s.

"We were determined to create a whole new sound just like Itchy Brother had in the 70s. I knew there was a true passion from the first rehearsal and the fact that the other three were relatives, and had spent their whole lives playing together, made it like a fast-drying glue. For me, it was magic from day one," said vocalist and bassist Doug Phelps.

Guitarist and vocalist Greg Martin added: "The mid-to-late 80s were very special. If you go back and look at the musical diversity going on, especially the roots and college music scene, even country music was allowing things to happen. Their guards were down. This spilled over into the local scene around here. Bowling Green, KY, Louisville, and Nashville were all hopping, as well as the rest of the country. This had a huge impact on us and helped fuel the formation of the HeadHunters."

The Headhunters released their debut album in 1989 on Mercury records.

Going through a number of lineup changes over the years, which have seen members amicably leave and then return, the Headhunters have released ten albums, with their latest being 'Meet Me in Bluesland', which featured legendary sideman Johnnie Johnson, who had worked with the band previously.

Looking to follow this 2015 album up quickly, the band are currently working another new album project to be released in the not-so-distant future.

Their famous live show can be seen an Bootleggers on July 26.