Last updated 5th May 2000.
Details will be added / updated as the artists supply us with information.
Intensified |
|
"Yard Shaker" was the eagerly anticipated debut studio album by traditional 60's style ska / reggae band Intensified out now on both CD and vinyl on Grover Records. It has been received with a lot of praise from both fans and the music press. 
Guaranteed to get people dancing, Intensified are up for the challenge of keeping the authentic styles of both Jamaican ska/rocksteady and British Trojan reggae alive. Their good-time feel has earned them a large following and a reputation as one of Europe's best traditional ska/reggae bands. "Yard Shaker" is a follow up to last year's "Don't Slam The Door!" compilation on Grover that included some of their previously recorded material. With a warm sound, catchy melodies and excellent vocal arrangements, they follow in the tradition of Prince Buster, Skatalites, The Wailers, Derrick Morgan, Desmond Decker and the many other excellent artists who put Jamaica on the musical map in the 1960's. The band have gigged regularly throughout the UK and Europe, recently playing at The Summer Jam in Cologne, Europe's biggest Reggae Festival where they joined Jimmy Cliff, Skalites, Asian Dub Foundation, Buju Banton, Bim Sherman and Dennis Brown. In their time they have been joined on stage by Lee Thompson of Madness, legendary trombonist Rico Rodriguez and Morrissey. |
Zydecoactive | ||
| ||
|
Hot on the streets, Zydeco Active are Europe's greatest ever Zydeco band, combining the talents of the strongest musicians from this unique musical melting pot. Up front they have Gavin Lewery, said by Louisiana's top Cajun musician Steve Riley, to be the best Cajun and Zydeco accordionist in the UK. Gavin is "the" most sought after box player, having been a familiar face in the Boat Band, Bluebirds, Zydecommotion and the Flatville Aces. On bass is Tommy Mills, the bedrock of many superb bands, latterly Joe Le Taxi and also played with Balfa Toujours members, in their Zydeco line up "Zydeco Norton" during their 1996 tour of the UK. Chilli Watkin, also ex- Joe Le Taxi, is one of the hottest blues guitarists on the Zydeco circuit, known for his rhythms and blistering solos. A relatively new player on the Zydeco scene, but bringing invaluable experience from his years playing with some of the top R and B bands, including the Groundhogs, drummer Micky Jones pounds out a merciless and relentless back beat. As expected, there has been fierce competition for the place of rub-board player. In this field only the strong survive, and the amazing Sue Warren gives the front line that cutting edge. Truly a force to be reckoned with; raw, mean and ruthless, Zydeco Active set dance floors on fire with their irresistible groove. They blend the high-energy Afro Caribbean rhythms from Zydeco's traditional origins with up to the minute contemporary sounds. They were a marvellous revelation when they played at the festival a few years ago and since then their reputation has grown to such an extent we are lucky to have been able to book them once again. For more information about the British Zydeco scene, visit www.zydeco.org.uk. |
This festival started out as an annual reunion of the Black Horse Folk Club. Saturday is no longer the "folk reunion day" that it was - we are all getting older, but there are a number of familiar faces. This afternoon's event is going to be a lively affair with two bands putting their own distinct interpretations on the folk-rock style. For the younger people, there is a Punch and Judy show and face painting.
Pete Fyfe and Garry Blakeley met at the 1993 Hastings Beer Festival. Both had been folk musicians working in various bands for twenty years, (Eavesdropper, Collaboration, Brian Boru and Better Days). Both had been support acts to Steeleye Span and Christy Moore.
Band of Two's baptism of fire began at The Blarney Stone pub in Croydon where the publican had confirmed with Pete that he would like to book the duo on the strength of a demo tape. When the duo arrived, their trepidation turned to fear when the landlord welcomed them with the immortal words "You'll be fine so long as you don't play any of that Irish rubbish!" (and this from a Donegal man!)
Things could only get better - and they did. Within three months, the diary was full with gigs as diverse as pubs and folk clubs to festivals and even the occasional cabaret spot. In addition, a folk club appearance was witnessed by a German entrepreneur who invited the duo to perform for the first of many corporate functions throughout Europe. In 1995 they teamed up with several Hastings based musicians to form the Celtic rock band Chaser and were immediately booked for Trowbridge and the Black Horse Festivals. Unfortunately the band was short lived and in 1996, Garry and Pete started work with Roger Flack, Phil Flack and Dave Pellett to form The Tabs. They have recorded CDs and have performed many gigs with Shep Wooley. They have played at venues as varied as a cruise liner, plenty of festivals including "The International Festival of the Sea (attendance 380,000). On another occasion, with folk dance outfit Picture Palace, Pete and Garry helped provide the music for Dawn French and Lenny Henry, and yes, the couple did dance. With the revival of Irish music Band of Two have a full calendar but One of The Biggest Little Bands in Britain has made the time to be at "The biggest Little Festival in Britain".
Sheila used to be a resident at the Black Horse Folk Club before moving north in 1987 (remember Ivor and Sheila?). She finds it difficult to stay away from Hastings and has been back to do solo spots at the Black Horse Festival.
This time she is bringing Pete Burnham with her. Pete comes from a traditional folk music background rooted in the North East of England. Sheila and Pete started singing together in 1997. Pete interested Sheila in unaccompanied singing, and she coaxed him into playing his instruments in public. Their repertoire reflects their collective musical interests, form the traditional through the early 70's to more recent material, sining unaccompanied and playing guitars, mando-cello, cittern and concertina.
Both are now based in Leicester and have performed in clubs and festivals around the Midlands. They are regular visitors to the Richard Attenborough Centre in Leicester, much to the delight of one of their most important fans, Joyce, who sorts out refreshments - they know where their bread's buttered.
Rude Knot To is a folk - influenced band from Hastings on the coast in East Sussex. This is rather handy as a lot of their songs are about the sea and the people who work and live with it.
The band was formed in 1998 by Martin Stringer (Vocal Oscillations and Guitar) and Jeff Davis (MANdo - LIN) {in the style of Viv Stanshall} and slightly higher Vocal Oscillations). Various line-up changes occurred over the following months, although the band always had three members, finally John Laidlaw ( Guitar and Sub - vocal Oscillations ) completed the chemistry.
With a number of concerts under the belt of its current incarnation, the band has appeared on both radio and television, and is building a strong local following This has lead to bookings for major festivals. A recent set of gigs in in The Czech Republic was so successful that they are booked to go back for more.
Their style could be termed eclectic, but as none of them really know what that means, it would be better to say that it includes the best of Gaelic, Celtic and English folk styles, together with a hefty dollop of blues - rock from the late sixties / early seventies. The music - exclusively original - is constantly evolving, with each band member contributing songs in their own style. Once the bad has had its way with the tunes, an immediately identifiable sound emerges, so no matter what happens, it will always be Rude Knot To.
The band has released a self - produced / financed E.P. in the form of a Music Cassette entitled " Testing The Water", which is available for a mere £5 plus p&p. Tracks from this tape are being played regularly on one of the main radio stations in Prague! They must have made an impact when they were there. Now they are writing and arranging material for their first CD tentatively titled "Coping With Silence".
Better Days |
|
|
|
The line-up is lead by singer John Burgess and fiddle players Garry Blakeley (also in the Tabs tonight) and Steve Cooke. Paul Dengate plays guitar, while the rhythm section consists of Kevin Francis and Paul Warren. |
Thomas Leeb, with guest Eric Roche |
|
At The Black Horse festival he will be playing with his special guest Eric Roche. Eric is head of guitar studies at the London Music School, where he has taught for the last six years. Since 1996 he has been the regular acoustic guitar columnist at Guitar Techniques magazine. He has produced nine guitar folios for Music Sales publishers. In 1999 he released his debut album "The Perc U lator". It's an instrumental acoustic guitar album, with influences of both folk and jazz - he does some unusual arrangements of Bach and Handel melodies, and a version of the Beatles classic Norwegian Wood, as well as his own compositions. Difficult to categorise, Roche's style falls somewhere between Folk and Jazz. Some would call it contemporary finger style, but when you see him play the melody, the harmony, the bass lines and the percussion parts all at the same time, you realise that he is one of an elite group of acoustic guitarists who sound, and play, like a one man band. Seeing is believing! Eric grew up in Tralee listening to "all the kinds of music people of my age were listening to in the 1980's". He began studying classical guitar in his early twenties, while studying for a degree in maths and economics at UCC. However, the desire to concentrate on music full time never left him. Together these two incredibly talented guitarists with their individual styles will be outstanding. "Thomas played his guitar producing sounds like a competent band. There was all the normal skills plus percussion as he wrenched and wrung out a medley of notes, chords and riffs. Not a one - man band or a freak act, a good 'bags - of - talent' band. He captivated the audience and they rushed from the bars and food area to see and hear him. He was one of the highlights of a very successful weekend. We will certainly try and persuade him to come back", John Shotton, Black Horse Festival Committee. "Eric Roche smashed any preconceived ideas of what a single acoustic guitar is capable of" Ben Bartlett, Guitarist Magazine. This year, we have arranged for Thomas to provide a guitar workshop after his set - a must for guitarists, though you may feel like giving up after seeing Thomas play! There are only ten places available - please book your place on the door on arrival. Thomas has his own web site at www.mp3.com/leeb. |
Meet on the Ledge |
|
The band has had numerous appearances on television and has had many sessions on radio. They have received rave reviews in the music press. The band has been playing together for six years and gets better as their repertoire grows. The name Meet On The Ledge is taken from a Fairport Convention song. They obviously have Fairport's approval as Fairport's Simon Nicol has secured gigs for the band and sees them whenever he can. The new CD contains more songs composed by multi instrumentalist Alan Maslen, he wrote the splendid ballad "The Mary Stanford" detailing the tragic loss of the Rye Lifeboat in 1928. The band has sung the song in Rye Harbour Church. An apt setting for such an emotional song. There is more of what Allan described as "our Monster "Thrash Morris" Heavy Folk Rock approach to some traditional jigs and reels". See the band in fine form in a fine setting listen and watch this exciting outfit from a good viewpoint or get up and bop 'til you drop'. They include a Peter Knight song in their set and he visited the band during their sound check prior to their 'St. Mary in the Castle' gig earlier this year. He has agreed to guest with them at The Black Horse Festival this year. He is fiddle player with Steeleye Span and has been to see the festival in previous years. He likes the festival and is looking forward to performing on the festival stage with Meet On The Ledge. |
This evening continues the folk theme for the day, but this is no folk club session. Three lively acts that will keep you on your feet all evening.
The Yazoo Skiffle Co |
|
|
|
The Yazoo Skiffle Company play as near as possible to the fifties' skiffle tradition using the songs of this period and the line-up is also in keeping. There has been an upsurge of interest in the music, especially on the London "pub scene". The sheer good fun, simplicity and spontaneity of the music makes for pleasant uncomplicated entertainment. |
The Weedkillers |
|
A new band at the Black Horse, they come from Brighton and are part of the folk-rock theme that plays a prominent part in the folk day. They have already played a number of times in the Hastings area. The line-up consists of vocals, fiddle, guitar, accordian, bass and drums. The Weedkillers were formed 6 years ago and could be found playing at various venues (including a number of Student Union bars) in Surrey, Sussex and London. The current line-up has remained unchanged for the last three years. The band was busy through 1998 and 1999 and is often found playing in London, notably at "The Weavers" and "The Trolley Stop". They have also played at a number of smaller festivals in Sussex. Influenced by The Pogues, The Clash and The Levellers, there is an Irish influence which will undoubtedly get those feet stompin'. The "Secular Angels" album was a major turning point for the band last year. The Weedkillers are a band with immense character!! |
This is the South East's premier folk rock band. They are five fine musicians with diverse influences covering the Celtic tradition, jazz, rock and funk.They perform traditional music and songs from the British Isles but also write and perform new exciting numbers. You only have to see them play "live" once, note the fans dancing in the aisles, to realise this is no ordinary folk band.
Dave Pegg of Fairport Convention said "The Fairports followed the Tabs at a festival in Sussex (the Black Horse Festival 1997). They're really great and I booked them there and then for our own Cropredy festival where they drew a fantastic reaction from the crowd. I heartily recommend them!"
The diverse talents displayed by the band members mean that the Tabs put their own slant on the folk/rock genre pioneeredby the legendary Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and the Albion Band. Often a Nick Cooper bassline will blend pure funk invisibly with an otherwise traditional sounding reel. Multi-instrumentalist Roger Flack is responsible foor the rockier edge to many of the songs. The electric bazouki is just one instrument in Dave Pellet's armoury and lends the band a further distinctive edge. Garry Blakeley pens many of the Tabs' songs. Garry is a fine and highly regarded fiddle player with twenty five years experience performing throughout Britain and Europe and has encyclopedic knowledge of traditional music. Drummer, twenty year old Andy King has now completed his first year with the band, and is now recognised as an intricate and powerful player.
For the past few years, the Black Horse Festival has provided a day within their weekend of music with a wider "world" influence. It may not be WOMAD, but it is as excitingly new to music fans. We start the Sunday sessions with some African music.
Nana Tsiboe's Asem Ni |
|
Experience the exotic rhythms of Africa! Assem Ni play a brand of music from
Ghana called "High Life" which, explains Nana, "is a cross-mix of
colonial influences" and closer to traditional African music than the kind
of happy, "dancing" popular guitar tunes from countries like Zaire and
Zimbabwe. Nana is a Ghanian percussionist and multi-instrumentalist who received his basic musical training from the Ashanti Cultural Centre in Ghana. Hailing from a family of musicians, he was socially involved in traditional music as a child prodigy drummer from the age of nine years, when playing for the "elders" and on festive occasions. After being educated in America and England, he later found that music was a natural and obvious means of expression for him. Nana has worked professionally with a vast range of musicians from traditional African music through to jazz and pop. These have included Oumou Sangere, Fela Kuti, Andy Hamilton, Ali Farka Toure, Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukuwana, David Murray and Nick Mason. The band have played at some impressive venues including The Royal Festival Hall in London. Nana will bring some special guests to The Black Horse Festival including young African female vocalists. |
Safroman | |||
The band was originally created by Safro Manzangi in 1991 and was called "All in One" with friends of his generation, but existed only 3 months. Safroman, as he is also called, then started another group in 1993 with young musicians from his homeland of Zaire (now The Congo). He is a guitarist, a singer, a songwriter and a producer. The songs the band perform are written and arranged by Safroman. This music can be described as a unique blend of Rumba Classic, Soukous and Folk songs of Congo Kinshasa, and is popular in Africa. It is local African Pop music. Safro is perhaps one of Zaire's most written and talked about 'musical foot soldier'. He has worked with so many artists, for example Grand Kalle, Luambo Franco, Papa Wemba, Emeneya Jo kester and many more. On stage with him are young, talented musicians who describe themselves as "a hot rifled guitar music producing outfit". This 8-piece band have performed during their last tour at The Band on the Wall (Manchester), African Centre (London), Africa Oyee (Liverpool), Dublin, Aberdeen and Chester. They stepped in at the last minute to replace The Four Brothers at the festival last year and nobody will forget their performance. They were wonderful and not one member of the audience expressed regret at missing The Four Brothers! These "Brothers" were inspired and have there fore been invited back to entertain those who wanted more and those who missed out on the frenetic and rhythm-ful sounds last year. |
A night of rhythm and blues.
The Elevators are a four-piece band of experienced and competent musicians whose current set includes a distinctive and convincing collection of electric blues. They have a wide and compelling collection of songs and riffs in their repertoire. Their current set, though deeply rooted in the sounds and styles of the 1950s and 60s, covers the wide range of blues from Cray to Johnson taking in Otis Rush, Charles Brown, Buddy Guy many others. Their fans have described their music, as sounding a bit like early "Fleetwood Mac", which is hardly surprising considering the sources of their inspiration.
The quartet plays with energy, accuracy and enthusiasm for their material. The passion they have for this music is obvious but not surprising as John Whippy the bands lead singer, he also plays guitar, guitarist Phil Greaves, bass player Martin Robinson and drummer Michael Fowlie-Hill started to learn their craft at the birth of the first Blues boom of the 1960s. Phil's guitar playing is slick with "iron" control spitting forth sounds when required not unlike, and demanding the same attention as, "Bluesbreaker - period" Clapton. Even the press kit for The Elevators tells us that Johnny W., who is a pretty good blues singer, is probably best described as a "risk taker" with his guitar playing! … However he plays with a sweet 'blues' tone when the song calls for some restraint.
The band has played with many a visiting blues artist over the years, with and without their long departed front man Otis ( He went West ). Since his departure the band has only gone up. They play guitar-focussed blues with exciting solos as Andy Woods said recently in a review for Blueprint Magazine…"For intensely played distillations of electric blues, they come highly recommended.
Jukes |
|
 |
A reunion gig for the blues band fronted by singer/harp player Andy Bannister. Andy has appeared both as a singer and as a player in adverts, and played harmonica on the music for "The Love Child", a Film On 4 for Channel 4. He has also appeared solo on the main stage at the Cambridge Folk Festival. Guitarist Ric Mead has played with Roger Waters (Pink Floyd). Bass player is Phil Gill (ex England) and drummer is Andy Knight (Ritz). For this year's festival, the Jukes will have their special guest, Jez Gillett (ex-Lost Boys), playing keyboards with them. |
Tich Turner was born and raised in Battle, East Sussex and began his long musical career in the mid 1960's kicking off touring and gigging with Hastings soul band Deep Purple (not that one).
For the next fifteen years Tich was writing and fronting a succession of fine bands from the local Hastings area, including Stallion, then Steppin' Out, which had drummer Andy Knight, now an M.U. representative in London and a leading light in the Black Horse Festival, Roger Hubbard the eclectic singer/songwriter and slide player of Buick 6, and Wesley Magoogan, a fabulous sax player who later played with Tich in The Roaring 80's and went on to play for Hazel O'Connor, The Beat and Billy Ocean, in the line up. The Roaring 80's and then the Escalators followed; two other fine Hastings bands that were forever being written up in the local papers, but just missed out on the big time.
In 1982 Tich packed his bags and moved to south-east London where he has lived ever since. Almost immediately he set up a fabulous 8 piece soul band called The Ya-Ya's who gigged all the major London venues, around the country and did numerous tours of Holland. The Ya-Ya's folded 5 years later.
For more than ten years now, Tich has fronted another 8-piece covers band, The Mish Mash Band, who hosted a very successful London club for four years. During this period, Tich also took on the mantle of promoter, kicking off with four years at The Amersham Arms in New Cross and for the past six years at The King's Head in Fulham.
More recently he has put together his latest creation, The Cool Brynners with two of his old muckers from The Ya-Ya's. They sport a whole new bunch of songs written by Tich and a few carefully selected covers. A powerhouse groovy r'n'b trip is the order of the day, the new album is nearly finished and they're coming your way!!
Persuing a theme that has been well received over the last few years. Monday afternoon is open to our local young talent - they get the chance to show what they can do with a big stage, sound system and lights. Support the future of our festival!
Joshua Springs |
|
Joshua Springs was formed in early 1998, with the line up of Greg Reed (lead vocals), Jonjo Cranham (lead guitar/backing vocals), Tim Clarke (bass guitar), Benjamin Ingamells (drums) and Lee Standen (rhythm guitar/keyboards). Jonjo, Tim, Ben and Lee all attended secondary school together. During their last years of school Ben, Jonjo and Lee formed a school band "Ginger". Shortly after these early stumblings Tim was drafted in even though at that time he was without any knowledge of music or an idea of how to begin to play the bass guitar. Hence, without much direction and the path to their full musical capability not quite reached, it was no surprise to anyone including the protagonists that "Ginger's" days were soon over. However from the ashes of "Ginger" emerged, like "the phoenix", what has become prodigious talent. This new, and very much alive reincarnated band, is "Joshua Springs". The addition of Greg on lead vocals gave the previously one-dimensional band a whole new look and sound. With his evocative lyrics added to the emerging song-writing talents of Tim Clarke and Jonjo Cranham, the band needed to get heard. They decided that the best way to showcase their talents was to go into POD Studios, and record the six tracks that they had quickly written in between practising and playing small gigs at school and in The Camber Castle pub. Still they found time to fit in a quick gig in late '98 at the Crypt with "rival" band "Go Bear Go". The result of the recording session was a six-track mini-album entitled "Does It Really Matter?" which subsequently sold out in two weeks and received air play on Arrow FM. Riding high on the success of their mini album, the band were approached by many local pubs such as The Fountain and New Eight Bells. The beginning of 1999 heralded more pub gigs and other gigs at The Crypt and the band was approached to perform at The Hastings Beer and Music Festival, which enabled them to show just how good they are to over 1500 people in the glorious July sunshine. 1999 also saw Joshua Springs busy writing material for their next album. Later that year they deservedly won the Young Bands' Showcase, held in Hastings. The prize was time at the acclaimed Parkgate Studios in Catsfield, where acts such as Blur, Stereophonics and Paul Weller have recorded. "2000" looks like being yet another record breaking year for the band as they have already been invited to play at The Black Horse festival on Bank Holiday Monday this May. With their musical skills and song writing still developing, Joshua Springs will definitely be a name to look out for. Keep an eye out for their forthcoming album out later this year. |
IC5 |
|
 |
IC5 (formerly Exclamation!) are a Hastings based young band who have been playing together for about 18 months.Their music is rock based and includes a selection of covers but the majority of their songs are of their own creation.The band are Alex Knight (drums), Alan Wake (guitar), Steve Mumford (base), Becca Scott (vocals) and Amy Tinsley (vocals). |
Die Nasty |
|
"Die Nasty" is a five-piece garage band from Bexhill. A few quotes from their limited press kit; 1)"If it ain't distorted - what's the point?" - said Die Nasty, backstage after their last triumphant college gig. 2) Bravely burning GCSE homework, and strapping on low slung guitars, Die Nasty make a thorough nuisance of themselves with a mix of self penned classics and other "nicked" songs. 3) Their last gigs have seen a young and enthusiastic fan base emerge, so Die Nasty are now prepared to reveal the secrets of their Rock & Roll success. It's a tale of stratacasters, testosterone and secret personal habits. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Just the type of hype one would expect. The band is lead guitarists Luke "Gizmo" Day and Dom Bosworth. Rhythm is supplied by bass guitarist Jack Finnis and drummer Nick "Cymbal" Ward. Lead vocalist and additional guitarist are provided by "the trainee lunatic" Matt "Miff" Gibb. They told local guide to what is happening in the area, The Ultimate Alternative their influences range from The Vapors and Green Day to the girls in S Club 7 and they say their main ambitions are "having a laugh" and "total world domination". They are all fifteen years old. Matt says he likes Britney Spears and hates School. His favourite groups include Rage Against The Machine and The Sex Pistols. Dom likes "Women" and hates "Townies". In his favourite groups he lists Nirvana and Blondie. He likes "The women in S Club 7" and hates "Backstreet Boys". Amongst his favourite bands are Rammstien, Smashing Pumpkins and Buzzcocks. Jack likes acting but hates rain and his favourite groups include Dog Eat Dog, The Vapors and Travis. Finally drummer Nick Ward likes Cowbells, hates smoked haddock and listens to "Green Day", "Supergrass" and "The Stranglers". |
Last night, and it's party night!
Dead Calm |
|
Dead Calm have forged a reputation for themselves since the line up has been settled and are now placed firmly in the upper echelons of the local rock scene. Fresh from a successful return in April 1999 to the Marina Pavilion, with other local notables, the set at the Black Horse would seem the perfect setting for these four experienced musicians to prove once again what a force they are to be reckoned with on the local scene. In short, get ready for what promises to be a highly charged cocktail of rock music delivered with passion and loads of energy. The band have their own web site at "The Official Homepage of DEAD CALM". |
The Blackman Brothers will be playing a mixture of "Soul Classics" and "Motown Melodies", all favourite juke box hits from the 60's and 70's. They feature favourites from many artists including Curtis Mayfield, The Isley Brothers and "Mr Motown", Smokey Robinson.
The band was formed by David and Martin Blackman after a split with the then very popular band "Soul Express". Other members of the Blackman Brothers are Martin Luckhurst - guitar, Ashley Pepper - keyboards and Grant Young - bass, all musicians who have been playing for many years in a variety of different successful line-ups. David and Martin Blackman both sing lead and harmony vocals and add additional rhythm guitar and percussion. The band will have with them on the stage at the Black Horse festival, the amazing "Bob's Brass", the horn section that formerly played with the popular soul band "Time Machine". They stole the show at Black Horse '95 and have done so again every time they have been invited back.
| ||
|
Pictures of Asem Ni, Thomas Leeb, Yazoos, Safroman, Intensified, and the crowd by John Kenward (01424 713747). Other pictures by Greg, Robin Dengate and others. |
Return to Black Horse Music Festival 2000 Page
A
special re-union event for the Black Horse - local folk-rock heroes are getting
together again to play tracks from their soon to be released retrospective CD.
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."
Thomas
Leeb has earned himself in his native Austria and abroad a name as "the guy
who plays drums on his guitar". He produces stunning rhythms and
breath-taking melodies. He was born in Carinthia, Austria in 1977. He was 13
when he started to play guitar and in 1993 he made his first stage appearance.
Two years later he brought out his first CD. The following year he toured
throughout Ireland and became a studio musician in Dublin. In 1997 his second
solo CD entitled "Hope" was distributed. Last year he became award
winner of the International Guitar festival "Open Strings" in Germany
(with Alex de Grassi, Peter Finger, Tim Sparks, John Renbourne and Leo Kottke).
This is what has been said of his young talent: "He has great power in his
style and I expect to hear a lot from him" - Tim Sparks (USA). "The
crowd was wowed!" - the St. Augustine Record (USA). "That guy must
have twenty fingers" - Dublin Arts Club (Ireland).
Warwickshire
band Meet On The Ledge have become a favourite with fans at The Black Horse
Festival, where they have been invited back every year since their first
powerhouse performance three years ago. Each year their CDs have outsold every
other act playing at the festival including Fairport Convention, Oysterband, and
popular local folk rock band The Tabs. They have just completed a nation-wide
tour supporting their new (fourth) CD "Duck Soup". You can see them
with the new addition to the band, glamorous fiddle player, Marion Morgan.
Marion's musical background is in Jazz and Rock and she should therefore blend
into a band who describe their music as "Thrash Morris".
The
Yazoo Skiffle Company pride themselves on presenting original 1950's style "skiffle
music" with the addition of various material drawn from blues, gospel, work
songs and a little 50's rock 'n' roll. Their line up includes "terrific"
John Smith on acoustic rhythm guitar and lead vocals, the "amazing"
Paul Smith on acoustic lead guitar and bottleneck slide guitar. The "incredible"
Mark Smith is on stand-up acoustic "slap" bass. This man is famous for
his rockabilly leanings apart from the twenty pints of lager. To give the whole
sound a bit of a "Cajun" feel, they have the "world famous"
Bob Smith on Louisiana melodeon. On the back line there is another Smith on
percussion and washboard. They are good fun and their set rocks along. The
wearing of silly shirts is compulsory, as is the drinking of "millions"
of pints. Their audience is requested to be as daft as they are at all times.
The
name "skiffle" is believed to have been first coined by jazz trumpeter
Ken Colyer. He spent time researching his music in New Orleans. The music is
akin to the style of "Jug" and "Spasm" bands that existed in
the American Deep South and borrowed from blues, gospel, work songs and American
folk. It was played on such household instruments as oil jugs, washboards and
tea chest basses with the inclusion of guitars and banjos etc. When the English
were first exposed to the music through Ken Colyer, Russell Quaye, Lonnie
Donegan and Chas. McDevitt, it led to the formation of hundreds of "skiffle"
groups and an interest in the American culture of R and B, gospel and folk
blues. The English music scene developed from here to the rock and pop culture
of today.
Dead
Calm formed in late 1996 following the Lost Boys farewell gig, which by
coincidence was the closing slot at the Festival of that year. The band has been
through many incarnations over the past four years, with the band at The Black
Horse Festival 2000 featuring the Lost Boys' front three of Pete Prescott
(vocals), Graham Gillett (bass) and Alan McCleave (guitar). Joining them on
drums, as he did some 18 months ago, is Jason Smith, a player with a notable and
distinguished pedigree having a string of top quality sessions behind him, drum
endorsement contracts and tutoring commitments. Pete Prescott's reputation goes
before him having played locally for over 20 years, during which time he has
recorded and toured professionally whilst being associated with such luminaries
as Cozy Powell (Rainbow - Whitesnake), Jan Ackerman (Focus) and Ray Fenwick (Ian
Gillian Band) to name just a few.