In 1989, David McGough formed The Bluetones in New York City. With high school friend, Greg Roukema on guitar, the two met drummer, Rob Draghi and bass guitarist, Dave Pollak at a gig in New York. Together, they became what the Village Voice called "One of the best bar bands in New York City". Taking up residence at Le Bar Bat on west 57th street, The Bluetones played to packed houses for much of the 90's until the club's closing in 2004. In 1996 they recorded their debut album, The Bluetones at Lenny Kravit's Waterfront Recording Studio in Hoboken, N.J. A mix of traditional blues and R&B, the band was joined by Phoebe Snow on vocals, and Noel Redding of The Jimi Hendrix Experience on bass guitar as well as Jimmy Vivino of Conan O'Brien Band on keyboards, and jazz great, Melvin Butler on saxophone. The album produced a hit single, I Can't Get Next To You in the southeastern US in 1997.
In 2001, The Bluetones recorded Mons Venus, a new CD of original rock and roll, and funk. The band was joined by longtime friend, and guitar legend Rick Derringer. The album's first single, Acid Rain co-written by Ed Terry, proved that The Bluetones were more than an ordinary bar band. As the band toured the US the single received airplay on regional radio throughout the country. The next single, Johnny Come Lately, was co-written with Rick Derringer and left off the album, but is included on The Best Of The Bluetones.
In 2006, The Bluetones recorded their 3rd CD, Soul Food, an assortment of R&B tunes that the band played nightly in their set. With help from legendary producer, and friend, Jerry Wexler, the band recorded nine soul classic tracks including Bill Wither's Use Me. Joined by saxophone legend, Baron Raymonde (The Blues Brothers, and Rod Stewart Band ) and Ed Alstrom on keyboards, the band recorded some their most spirited and road tested songs. Sadly, the CD was never released, but five of the tracks appear on The Best Of The Bluetones.
In 2009, The Best Of The Bluetones was released on BMI Records. A twenty year history of the band, the seventeen tracks include the lost Soul Food sessions, as well as the 2002 single, Rock Star.
In 2018, BMI Records released this special 25th anniversary CD, Best of The Bluetones.