Better Days on stage at Birmingham Town Hall, 1989.
This photograph was taken during the band's two week tour supporting Steeleye Span.
Photograph by Robin Dengate.
|
Better Days on stage at Birmingham Town Hall, 1989. This photograph was taken during the band's two week tour supporting Steeleye Span. Photograph by Robin Dengate. |
Better Days was formed in 1982 and brought together the experience of it's members in folk, rock,and classical music. A major feature of their sound was the voice of traditional singer, John Burgess, and the twin fiddles of Steve Cooke and Garry Blakeley, where Steve's experience as a classical player complimented Garry's ability in the traditional style. The original line-up was completed with Paul Dengate on guitar, Paul Warren on drums, and George Copeland on bass guitar. George was later replaced by Andrew Griffin, who was himself later replaced by Kevin Francis. In 1990, John Burgess left and Chris Wilton joined on vocals until the band folded in 1992.
The band's sonic armoury was enhanced by Steve's ability as a viola and keyboard player. Garry and John could both add mandolin and Steve, Garry and John together were able to provide strong vocal harmonies.
 |
Better Days at their first ever gig, The United Friends, Ninfield, East Sussex, 1982. Photograph by ?. |
Peter Knight of Steeleye Span (with whom they toured in 1989) said of them "Better Days are one of the few bands that successfully capture the spirit of traditional song and dance using modern instrumentation. A strong lead vocal and harmonies plus the excellent blending of two violins combine with a solid rhythm section to create a sound unique to Better Days."
Barry Dransfield, who was on the bill with them at the Hong Kong Festival 1990 said "I thought that sensitivity was a thing of the past in folk rock until I heard Better Days. Their sound is well integrated and centred on the rhythm section which gives strength to a classy front line of two superb fiddle players and a fine graceful singer. This is folk rock where the folk songs come through intact."
Vic Smith (broadcaster/reviewer for Folk Roots), writing about the Hastings music scene, "…it's not just the nationally known names that contribute to this remarkably high standard. For example; there were the super sounds that Better Days created. Here was a folk/rock band that concentrated on traditional tunes and dances and showed a lot of respect for their material yet presented it in a vital, original and modern way. All their gigs in and around Hastings were packed out, yet in spite of a national tour supporting Steeleye Span and an appearance at the folk festival in Hong Kong, they never made the impact they clearly deserved. They broke up fairly recently leaving behind them a remarkable cassette 'Playing For Time' that would be well worth seeking out."
 |
Publicity shot for the 1989 tour supporting Steeleye Span. Photograph by Andy Knight. |
|
Publicity shot for the 1990 Hong Kong Folk Festival. Photograph by Ray Bird. |
 |
Last updated 25th February 2000.
| Next page |
Return to Better Days Home Page
Return to Black Horse Music Festival 2000 Page