This precociously talented UK blues guitarist picked up the instrument at the age of eight, and within five years had played his first gig. The teenage Lister played with fellow bluesman Coco Montoya on a trip to San Francisco, California and after putting together a band recorded his debut album in 1996. Lister sold this album and the live follow-up at concerts, by which point he was beginning to attract the attention of bigger labels. He signed a recording contract with the German label Ruf Records and recorded his debut for the label with backing from Jonny Dyke (keyboards), Matt Kay (bass), and Wayne Proctor (drums). Guitarist Walter Trout made a guest appearance on a cover version of Gary Moore’s ‘Since I Met You Baby’.

The follow-up Everything I Need, recorded with Kay and Proctor, was Lister’s American debut and helped promote his name beyond his European fanbase. The album, like its predecessor, was comprised largely of Lister originals. The curiously titled live set Supakev N Pilchards followed in 2002. All Or Nothing featured a new line-up of the Aynsley Lister Band, with James Townend (bass) and Alex Thomas (drums) backing Lister on another strong set of originals and a blistering cover version of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Crosstown Traffic’. Thomas was subsequently replaced by ex-Kula Shaker drummer Paul Winter-Hart.