"A band towards the Peeping Tom side of the English Ceilidh Band spectrum. Something of a Rock Ceilidh band feel when live - to the extent of a four-square rhythm although not the excess of decibels."
The Bismarck Herrings, or just "The Bismarcks" to their friends; are a stomping little trio who play the very best traditional English tunes in an inimitably bouncy fashion. The Bismarcks were formed in 1996 when the two burly gentlemen Ed Rennie (melodeon) and Gareth Kiddier (piano) decided they'd like to play English dance tunes for people to jump about to. Nina Hansell (fiddle) heard a recording of them practising and agreed there and then to play along - and the rest is folklore.Since then, The Bismarcks have played for ceilidhs, clubs and festivals all over the country and have been the driving force behind some darn good sessions too.
Chalktown are an innovative dance band, their style combining the various folk, rock and jazz influences of the band members to create a very danceable sound. The band has a wealth of dance music experience with ex-Gas Mk 5 members Michael Davidson and Rob Gifford, with Paul Scourfield, a past winner of the Sidmouth Melodeon Competition and Trevor Lines who brings influences ranging from ceilidh to Balkan music.
Coproliters is a traditionally-styled English Ceilidh band featuring, at its heart the driving force of lead melodeon, the rhythmic qualities of hammered dulcimer, and the soaring melodies and harmonies of whistle/fiddle. The strong melody is backed by stomping piano and exciting percussion and drums. The music is light and dynamic, vibrant and energetic, ideal for anyone who enjoys a good dance.
Florida's sound is unique; a brassy collision of traditional English country dance and good time jazz,
underpinned by muscular dance rhythms, generating hair-raising harmonies from a melting pot of
roots and rock influences. The tunes are mainly English, but the band also draws on other European
traditions and the compositions of fiddler/guitarist Gavin Atkin.
With a line-up including fiddle, electric guitars, horns and melodeon, the band's signature
is a mix of woodwind and brass alongside the fiddle and accordeon, and harmonised melodic instruments
over a driving dance beat established by bass and electric guitar. With this mix, drums are unnecessary.
The Gloworms are a London-based trio playing traditional music for dancing.
We combine banjo, fiddle and accordion into a bright, modern sound firmly rooted in tradition.
They perform English material and tunes composed themselves,
all 'wormified to optimise dancability and energy. Their interwoven
counter-melodies, driving rhythms, funky basslines lift dancers and
entrance spectators.
"A wonderful, cool, subtle dance band" Gordon Potts
Mixing traditional and self-penned tunes, Hekety have been playing cutting edge English
dance music since their formation in 1997. Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire they have
performed to much acclaim at festivals and other events throughout the country.
"The most important thing about the band is the dancing. We're a ceilidh band, so first
and foremost we have to be good to dance to. That means watching the dancers while we play,
and knowing enough about what is going on to be playing the right tune in the right way
for a particular dance."
Peeping Tom, or occasionally the 'Peepers'. Highly regarded, exceptionally tight and powerful music, a Rock Ceilidh band with a precise and uptempo beat. Easy to dance to, particularly for newcomers, but perhaps lacking a certain swing. Headline a number of festivals and always produces a cracking good dance.
Stömp are a high-energy English Ceilidh band who draw their music from the whole of the British Isles, Scandinavia and beyond. A huge range of traditional and contemporary sources comewall together to create great slabs of English rhythm to cross the generations and fill the dance floor. Scan Tester and Walter Bulwer rub shoulders with The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Steely Dan meet Steeleye Span in the repertoire of a band whose very name derives from an ancient English word for dance.
Time of Your Life is an English Country Dance Band based in the Herts., Beds. Area, with a vast amount of experience of playing Barn Dances and Ceilidhs for all sorts of dancers from beginners to the very experienced. A five-piece band (melodeon, flute, guitar, bass & drums) with a lively, exciting style of playing, Time of Your Life plays tunes for dancing from within the English tradition, as well as tunes composed in the traditional style by band members, Barry Goodman and Graeme Meek. The band has been working since 1984, and has travelled as far afield as Yorkshire, Herefordshire (The Putley Ceilidhs), Norfolk and Kent.
The Woodpecker Band is well known in the south of England for its coverage of festivals, large regional ceilidhs and smaller local events. The Band has a large repertoire of traditional and modern dance music, mostly from the British Isles, but also including music from other countries. The band's unique sound is a product of traditional and modern elements of music and style fused with a solid electric rhythm section giving the band an easily identifiable contemporary edge.
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