band history
After meeting at Folkworks in 2002, Brian and Chris teamed up ‘to play a few tunes.’ We also had a lady with us at that time playing English Concertina, but she left the area to pursue work commitments. We decided to bring in a singer so Trev joined us in 2005. By this time, we were developing our scope and repertoire by playing at friend’s parties and charity fundraising events.

Like most people of my age, I was heavily influenced by the 60s Rock ‘n Roll era, especially Jerry Lee Lewis et al, plus the Folk Revival going on at the time. I first became interested in playing accordion after watching Johnny Handle at the 1990 Gateshead Garden Festival. Other bands such as Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies, and Prelude further influenced me to want to play their kind of music.

My other musical love is listening to Opera.

I picked up a guitar aged 11 years just in time for the 60's folk revival. I disappeared down a cul de sac torturing myself trying to learn solo classical guitar and ragtime. I emerged to serve a painful apprenticeship in Folk Works, learning rhythm guitar in a group before leaving to join a small band which morphed into few broth.

I bought my first acoustic guitar at the age of 15 in 1969 and my first electric guitar in 1970. I always dreamed of being a songwriter and I was influenced by my older sister’s record collection, which included Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers. I am a huge Beatles fan and love early Dylan too.

My first band was the four piece rock outfit ‘Paths of Tarot’ in 1971. I went into the acoustic bands ‘Mosstrooper,’ ‘Mosstrooper Mk 2’ and ‘Jasper.’ In between my periods with bands I always played solo in folk clubs throughout the 70’s. I had some of my songs published with the Lancashire based ‘Coastal Music’ during 1972/3 after they heard my acetate demos. I won the area final of the ‘Melody Maker folk/rock contest’ in 1974 after having been highly commended the previous year.

I took a long layoff to bring up a family of three then in 2005 I was goaded by my wife to answer an ad asking for a ‘Singer for a folk band.’ The fact I could also play guitar, dulcimer, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin and bass helped me get through my ‘audition’ with Brian and Chris and we became few broth shortly after I joined. My newest acquisition is an Irish bouzouki, which has been included in two of our songs already.