Who we are...

MT arms was originally formed in August 1999 under the name of ‘Empty Arms’ with an inaugural line up of three well established and respected musicians from Whitehaven in Cumbria - Howard Bell ( Bass and Lead vocal ), Paul Barnes ( Lead guitar ) and Jim Mullen ( Drums ).

The music was predominantly electric blues and they had significant success up and down the west coast of Cumbria playing from Barrow to Carlisle many remember seeing them on several occasions and enjoying a distinctive slow to mid driving blues sound - there is still a tape around somewhere that was recorded in the Whitehouse in Whitehaven at the back end of 1999, if you have a copy we would really love to hear it.

Jim, Paul and Howard have made a considerable contribution to the local music scene for many years and are still active in different areas. Jim has recently been working with the Judith Jones band, Howard is writing and recording his own material and Barney is presently playing with ‘Off the Hook’, a very accomplished rock blues band.

In February of 2000, Howard, Barney and Jim selflessly handed the band over to Colin in recognition of the tragic loss of his partner Pauline Tomlinson who sadly passed away on the 4th January 2000.

In Colin’s own words— “The banner of ‘Empty Arms’ was maintained for obvious reasons. In those clichéd terms Pauline was my soul- she meant everything to me, and it is in memory and recognition of her life that MTarms continues to perform, her legacy”

On Saturday November 4th 2006 ’Empty Arms’ were revived as ‘MT arms’ with two new musicians and a website to keep us all up to date with the band’s activities.

What the band is in terms of style and sound is an eclectic mix of many and various influences and most of the contemporary genres are in there - jazz, blues, rock, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, folk and some country influence too.

So if you’re interested, you will be more enlightened watching the band , we’ll keep you posted on the venues—just click the gigs and music links