Paul.....caller/melodeon/blues harmonica/mandolin
Paul
Shorrock is the caller in the band, acting as the interface between band and dancers. He also squeezes tunes out of the melodeon, treating it as a rhythm instrument rather than melody. You will also hear a bit of blues harmonica and mandolin. One of his few remaining musical ambitions is to see Richard Thompson achieve the recognition he deserves.
You do say: "The fusion of rock and folk to form an indigenous British rock music is one of the most important musical developments of the last few decades"
You don’t say: "Who’s Richard
Thompson?"
Mike.....bass
Mike Jensen
is a gentleman and a scholar, but strap a bass guitar on him and he becomes a musical thug. Mike’s bass is the powerhouse of the band, driving the rhythm forward. He will admit to being a Buddy Holly fan, and is also a long time admirer of the late, great Ian Dury. Ambitions yet to achieve - To play trombone in the band. Ambitions unlikely to be achieved - to learn to ride a bicycle.You do say: "I think the sixties were the zenith of popular music"
You don’t say: "
Liz.....fiddle
Liz Kerrey is our latest recruit. She loves her music, and has been playing since she was two, and is especially passionate about fiddle playing in the Donegal style. She is the only band member who can claim to have had formal musical training, though she admits to having spent more time improving her snooker shots than practicing her instrument. She also claims to have a liking for sheep, but in the nicest possible way. Current project - perfecting her harp playing.
You do say:
"Donegal style....good choice"
You don’t say: "Harp players spend half
the night tuning up, and the other half playing out of
tune"
Iain.....drums
Iain Hunter is an old friend of the band, and was the regular drummer a few years back. He now sits in again behind a full rock kit, following our other regular drummer (Joe) laying down his drumsticks. There isn't a percussion style he can't or hasn't played, and it's a real treat to have him back in the band line up. Famous within the band for actually tuning the drum kit, the only drummer we have had who does that!
You do say: "Good to see a
You don’t say: "Crickey,
I could tune a harp in the time it took you to tune those
drums!"
Neil.....fiddle/soprano sax/...well, anything really!
Neil
Woodall
plays a wide range of music, mainly in the
Sheffield area, but also much further afield, including a
You do say:
"Multi-instrumentalist, eh? You must be the most talented member of
the band."
You don’t
say: "Will you stop playing games on the computer, now!"
Connie.....sound desk
Connie
Jensen is the real hero in the band . She combines the patience of a saint with the pragmatism of a politician. Whilst the other band members flaunt their musical egos on stage, Connie quietly and efficiently gets on with the job of delivering a good sound to the dancers and the band. She reads the band like a book, and greets plaintiff cries for "a bit more squeeze-box on the monitors" with sympathy, understanding and the occasional increase in volume.
You do say: "I don’t know
how the hell you put up with those strutting prima donnas"
You don’t say: "Can you
turn the volume down, as I’ve just sat my granny next to that loudspeaker
thingy"