OYSTERBAND - Live Bremen 1996

01 - The Shouting End Of Life
02 - The World Turned Upside Down
03 - One Green Hill
04 - Interview
05 - We'll Be There
06 - Put Out The Lights
07 - 20th Of April
08 - Granite Years
09 - Blood Wedding
10 - Another Quiet Night In England
11 - The Star Of The County Down

320 kbps

The Oysters at their peak!!!

(Taken from Wikipedia)

The band formed in parallel to Fiddler's Dram and as the Oyster Ceilidh Band played purely as a dance band at first. The name Oyster comes from the group's early association with the coastal town of Whitstable in East Kent, known for the quality of its oysters. Their first album, released under the Oyster Ceilidh Band name, was "Jack's Alive" (1978) on the Dingles record label. Subsequent albums, as Oyster Band (sometimes The Oyster Band) were released on the band's own Pukka Music label: "English Rock 'n' Roll: The Early Years 1800–1850" (1982) and "Lie Back and Think of England"(1983), followed by "20 Golden Tie-Slackeners"(1984) and "Liberty Hall" (1985).

The lineup of the band changed over these albums. The first recorded line-up was:

Cathy Lesurf - vocals;
John Jones - melodeon, vocals;
Alan Prosser - guitars, violin;
Chris Taylor - guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, one-row melodeon, mandola;
Ian Telfer - violin, English concertina, saxophone;
Chris Wood - bass guitar;
Will Ward - bassoon, recorders, crumhorn, keyboards

When Chris Wood left the band to go travelling in Canada, he was replaced on bass guitar by returning founder member Ian Kearey. Cathy Lesurf subsequently left to join Ashley Hutchings' Albion Band, and Will Ward also departed so that by the time they recorded Lie Back and Think of England the personnel had settled down to John Jones, Ian Kearey, Alan Prosser and Ian Telfer. For the album "Step Outside" (1986) they added Russell Lax on drums. "Step Outside" mixed self-penned songs, often with a political theme, with reworkings of traditional standards such as "Hal-an-Tow".

After the 1987 release "Wide Blue Yonder", Kearey left the band to be replaced by Chopper (real name Ray Cooper). Subsequent albums included "Ride" (1989), "Little Rock to Leipzig" (1990) and the June Tabor collaboration "Freedom and Rain" (1990). Following this the band name changed to Oysterband. Drummer Lee Partis (who for several years was billed only by his forename) replaced Russell Lax for 1992's "Deserters" before "Holy Bandits" in 1993 propelled the band to the forefront of a booming folk rock scene alongside bands such as The Levellers.

In the nineties the band adopted a more overtly political stance, recording the harder "The Shouting End of Life" (1995) and collaborating with Chumbawamba to record "Farewell to the Crown", released as the b-side of the Tubthumping single.

DOWNLOAD

http://www.mediafire.com/?di1yfjiitmd

FREE DOWNLOADS - JACK FLASH "Take Notice EP"

(Taken from the band's MySpace)

Jack Flash is a Toowoomba born and based folk/punk six-piece with a unique brand of catchy, dancing tunes, lyrical genius and fancy flair. Originating in the spring of 2006 they developed a style which brings traditional Australian folk styles and themes to a punk audience.

Jack Flash is influenced by such acts as Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphy’s, Red Gum, The Pogues and The Bushwhackers Band. Drawing on a rich background of Celtic, Australian and American tunes, the ‘Flash boys have forged their own sound and a fresh contribution to the Folk/Punk genre.

In a short time they have charged their way into the Toowoomba and Brisbane music scenes. Their 2007 EP release ‘Take Notice’, sold out in less than one month, leaving fans begging for more. Since then Jack Flash have toured Queensland and New South Wales and been booked out every weekend playing shows in Toowoomba and Brisbane. They have performed with such great Australian acts as Zombie Ghost Train, Bad Day Down, The Go Set, The Disables, Sydney City Trash, Steve Towson & the Conscripts, Blowhard and Catgut Mary.

Jack Flash is currently writing and recording material for a full length CD, and have released a three song demo to give fans a taste of what to expect. The lads have recently returned from a short tour of QLD, NSW and the ACT to much acclaim.

Line-up

Tom Flash - Vocals, Mandolin & Banjo
Looey Flash - Fiddle & Tin Whistle
Shai Flash - Acoustic Guitar
Blaise Flash - Bass
Jake Flash - Electric Guitar & Harmonica
Liam Flash - Drums & Lagerphone

Discography:

Take Notice (6 track EP, 2007)
July Tour EP (3 track EP, 2008)
Demands Were Met (3 track EP, 2009)

www.myspace.com/jackflashband

" Download our first EP 'Take Notice' For Free.

Our first EP 'Take Notice' which was recorded in 2007 at Homegrown Audio with Justin Myers, is now able to be download in full & for free on bandcamp.

Click below to take you to our bandcamp site"

DOWNLOAD:

http://jackflash1.bandcamp.com/

VIDEOS - JIMMY GEORGE

(Taken from Wikipedia)

Jimmy George is a Canadian folk rock band, who blended Celtic folk with rock influences in a manner similar to Spirit of the West and Great Big Sea.

Formed in Ottawa in 1991, the original lineup consisted of Mike "Spike" Lawson electric guitar, Joel Carlson mandolin, Steve Barry (vocals), Duncan Gillis (acoustic guitar/penny whistle), Rob Porter (drums), Michael Eady (fiddle) and Colin Burns (bass). Various members came and left over the subsequent years. The band at the end of their 9-year run as house band at the Duke of Somerset pub consisted of vocalist and guitarist J. Todd, electric guitarist Steve Donnelly, bassist George Jennings, Joel Carlson on mandolin, Jeff Kerr on banjo, Mickey Vallee on accordion, and Tom Werbowetski on drums.

Other members at various times included Eric Altman (drums, played drums live and on all Jimmy George recordings), Christine Chesser (fiddle, vocals - Chickpea), and Vitas Paukstitis (bass).

In 1993, after establishing a reputation for a dynamic live show, the band was asked to open for Spirit of the West in Peterborough and Ottawa. At the Peterborough show, the band arrived and the sound man asked "which one of you is Jimmy?" The band was told they couldn't use any of Spirit of the West's equipment and that they would have to pare down the band for the show as there wasn't enough space, time or channels on the board for an 8-member band as the opener. The band was ready to leave when Spirit of the West singer John Mann intervened and said the band was welcome to use any of their equipment if it made things easier. The show went off without a hitch. The next night in Ottawa, the band again opened for SOTW in front of a capacity crowd at Carleton University's Porter Hall. At this show Bill Stunt, producer of CBC Radio's All In A Day program, was in the crowd and approached the band after the show. Stunt offered to record the band's material using funding from the CBC development budget. Over the next few months the songs were honed and recorded at Ottawa's Sound of One Hand studio, and "A Month of Sundays" was released on Montreal's (now-defunct) Cargo Records later that year with national distribution by MCA Records. Two years later the band released their follow-up record "Hotel Motel", produced by Marty Jones and the band and also recorded at Sound of One Hand and Raven Street Studios. In 2001 on the occasion of another reunion show at Barrymore's Music Hall in Ottawa, the band released the CD "Same Sh!t Different Day", a collection of their favourite songs from their previous releases, plus a few songs recorded live including the previously unreleased song "Where You Bleed".

The band toured Canada from coast to coast twice and also played occasional shows in the US including Colgate University in Hamilton, NY and a private function in Detroit, MI. Most of the band also visited England and Ireland for a month, busking in the streets of London and Dublin and seeing the sights.

Venues of note include the Town Pump (Vancouver), Amigo's (Saskatoon), The Rivoli, Horseshoe, and Ultrasound (Toronto), Sidetrack Cafe (Edmonton), Town House (Sudbury), Barrymore's Music Hall and Zaphod Beeblebrox (Ottawa) and countless more.

The band played for many years as the house band at the tiny Duke of Somerset pub (now closed) in downtown Ottawa every Sunday night and one weekend a month, regaling the crowd with their music and antics. The band played over 500 shows at the Duke of Somerset over a 9-year period including several St. Patrick's Days and New Year's Eves. Often touring bands would stop by "The Duke" to join the band for a few songs or borrow their instruments and play a few tunes and have a pint. Great Big Sea made several such appearances at the Duke on Sunday nights, as did some members of Leahy who also played The Duke on a regular basis.

The band have ceased recording and playing as a unit for the most part, playing a "final" show in 1997. They played regular "reunion" shows in Ottawa to celebrate St. Patrick's Day or over the Christmas holidays for several years. In April, 2002 the band headlined Ottawa's Tulip Festival Concert Series and played a headlining show at Ottawa's Barrymore's Music Hall, flying in accordion player Mickey Vallee for the occasion from his new home of Edmonton, Alberta.

October 7, 2007, the former owners and staff of the Duke of Somerset pub organized a reunion event at local pub The Heart and Crown. Jimmy George played two sets with the line-up of J (vocals/acoustic guitar), Jeff (banjo), Mike (electric guitar), Joel (mandolin/bass), Rob (drums), Steve (bass/mandolin/accordion) and guest appearances by Angela McFall (Fairytale of New York) and Madeleine Giguere (Rock and Roll Thing) on vocals and Colin Burns on bass for a few songs.

March 17, 2008, the band played a St. Patrick's Day show at Zaphod Beeblebrox in Ottawa. The lineup for this show consisted of J Todd (vocals, acoustic guitar), Joel Carlson (mandolin), Rob Porter (drums), Steve Donnelly (bass, electric guitar, accordion) and Colin Burns (bass on a few songs). This show was likely the smallest version of Jimmy George to ever perform live.

The members continue to perform locally in several bands including: Dude Ranch (now defunct - Spike, Steve, Joel, Rob, Jeff) Bible All-Stars (Joel) You're My Groupie I'm Your Rock Star (Spike) The Kingmakers, Ninety Pounds of Ugly (Steve) 40-Watt Monkey (Rob) Mike McDonald Broadband (Mickey)

Several of the band's songs have been performed by other bands, most notably "Breakfast With St. Swithin" which appeared on Vancouver band The Town Pants' CD. Other bands have performed the band's "Token Celtic Drinking Song" despite the fact that the song has no official lyrics and many of the words are improvised and undiscernable even on the recorded version.

TV Appearances

The Tom Green Show
2005 Rita and Friends CBC TV
Rita & Friends (CBC)
Lunch TV (CITY TV Toronto)
The New Music (Muchmusic)
Tiny Hearts Telethon for CHEO (CTV)
Various other Telethons and interviews

Festivals

Northern Lights (Sudbury) Ottawa Folk Festival (Ottawa) Tulip Festival (Ottawa) Mariposa (Toronto) Music West (Vancouver) North By Northeast (NXNE) (Toronto) Canadian Music Week (Toronto) Riverfest (Deep River)

Videos

Four Feet From Shore (1993)
One Convention (1995)

Discography

A Month of Sundays (1993)
Hotel Motel (1995)
Same #$%! Different Day (2001)


01-03 - Breakfast with St. Swithin + One Convention Live at J's Stag at Barrymore's Music Hall, Ottawa, ON, probably 1995



01-03 - Breakfast with St. Swithin on Lunch TV on Toronto's City TV in 1995



01-05 - Four Feet From Shore (Video)



01-05 - Four Feet from Shore + Barnstorming - 1993 Easter Seals Telethon



01-11 - Owen (Live on CBC Telethon)



01-14 - What I Should Do on Lunch TV on Toronto's City TV in 1995



02-02 - One Convention (video)



02-02 - One Convention (Live on Tom Green Show)



I have uploaded further information (biography, discography, reviews and some free tracks) to mediafire

DOWNLOAD:

www.mediafire.com/?ykmjhmuz0qm

VIDEOS: SEVEN LITTLE SISTERS

The following info has been taken from:

www.mrsneeze.com/7lsisters

"Seven Little Sisters were a folk band really, although a bit more modern than most folk bands.They had a bass and drums in some of their songs. They did a few songs based on folk tunes with different words as well as their own work.

They were mainly based in the midlands of the UK, around Derby and Nottingham. Sometime between 1993 and 1997 they broke up.

Sometime about 1997 they re-formed with a few new members.

Line-up:

Jon Harris : Guitars / vocals (Cow Trousers)
John Leonard : Accordian / whistles / flutes / mandolin / banjo / Guitars / backing vocals. (Cow Trousers - Daedalus)
Nik Acons : Fiddle / backing vocals (Cow Trousers - Daedalus)
Pete Polatajko : Bass. (Cow Trousers - Daedalus)
Mike Brookes : Drums (Cow Trousers - Daedalus)
Neil Fearenside : Percussion / ashtray (Cow Trousers)
Barry Mullis : Vocals / guitars / banjo / mandolin (Daedalus)
Dom Milne : Vocals / guitars (Daedalus)

Discography:

Cow Trousers

01 - Long Way
02 - Play it Clean
03 - Where the Wind Blows
04 - Role Reversal Drama, Set in Middle America
05 - 'Til you're Dead
06 - Concrete and Glass
07 - Miss Perey's / Sally Gardens
08 - As the Crow Flies
09 - River Song
10 - Way to Go

Release date unknown. R.G.Bhaji Records (!) RGB 501.

Daedalus

01 - Divide and Rule
02 - Looking at Horizons
03 - The Star of County Down
04 - The Courtesan / Derry Reel
05 - Will You Be Loving Another Man?

Released on their own label, SLS1, in 1993 sometime.

Girl

Tracks unknown.

Released in 1998 I think. Or 1997. Details unknown, I just know that it exists :) "


Two members of the band Woody (named after the band's key influence Woody Guthrie), John Leonard and Paul Robinson, were members of the now defunct Seven Little Sisters. Tours to Austria with the Seven Little Sisters were common in the nineties. Described as roots rock with an Irish flavour this band were hugely successful and in high demand for years

For more info about Woody, please check:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2006/11/18/woody_interview_feature.shtml

www.myspace.com/woodytheband

These are the videos (only music) in YouTube:

Long Way

Play it Clean

Where the Wind Blows

VOL. XX - IRELAND

01 - SLIOTAR - The Wreck of Mary Jane 3:22
02 - SLIOTAR - Reels: The Humours of Lissadell/Jackson's 2nd 4:34
03 - SLIOTAR - Lupo 3:16
04 - SLIOTAR - Cirque de Sliotar 3:49
05 - SLIOTAR - Normandy Night 4:09
06 - SLIOTAR - What If 3:15
07 - BOG THE DONKEY - Woodstock 4:04
08 - BOG THE DONKEY - Some Say the Devil is Dead 3:25
09 - BOG THE DONKEY - The Battle 3:26
10 - THE SHILLELAGH BANGERS - Pog Mo Thoin 2:00
11 - BIG BAG OF STICKS - Safe and Sound 5:30
12 - BIG BAG OF STICKS - Willy 3:50
13 - BIG BAG OF STICKS - Wake Up Now 4:37
14 - BIG BAG OF STICKS - Rubber Man 4:47
15 - BIG BAG OF STICKS - The Bretton Tune 2:45
16 - BIG BAG OF STICKS - Soldier Boy 4:46
17 - TAISPÍ - The Star of the County Down 3:39
18 - TAISPÍ - The Irish Rover 3:35

Yes. The sample including Celtic Rock bands from Ireland at last!

The first band is called Sliotar. They are a trio from Dublin. Till now, they have released the following albums:

"Porter House Sessions" (9 tracks, 1998)
"Bi Liom Bi" (13 tracks, 2001)
"Crew of Three" (14 tracks, 2006)
"Cirque de Sliotar" (11 tracks, 2008)

www.sliotarmusic.com

You can buy the last two albums from allcelticmusic or from Claddagh Records:

"Crew of Three" from www.allcelticmusic.com

"Crew of Three" from Claddagh Records

"Cirque de Sliotar" from www.allcelticmusic.com

"Cirque de Sliotar" from Claddagh records

The following band is from Cork, and they are called Bog the Donkey. They are a four musicians party band.

www.bogthedonkey.com

Bog the Donkey intend to release an album whose title would be "Hoof Hearted?"

You could buy some tracks from the following store:

http://indiestore.7digital.com/bogthedonkey/

The Shillelagh Bangers are a punk band from Dublin.

www.myspace.com/gaelpunk

The series PaddyWhackery was nominated for three Irish Film & Television Awards in 2008 (bilingual comedy/drama series). The Shillelagh Bangers perform their classic track 'Póg mo thóin' as the credits roll


Big Bag of Sticks are from Galway. The first time I saw their name was in a Across the Border CD, as they toured together some years ago. The band has six members. They play "Original Irish Speedfolk Reggae"

www.myspace.com/bigbagofsticks

Big Bag of Sticks broke-up, but there was a reunion. They keep on playing, even if they have not released any new album. Their discography is as follows:

"Explosions in Thomas's Toilet" (6 tracks, cassette)
"Thorny Bush Noise" (Cassette)
"Six Guinness and a Cider" (Cassette)
"Run Wild" (6 tracks E.P)
"Short Term Memory" (10 tracks, CD)
"Hardcore Folklore" (a mixture of live tracks and some tracks from the tapes)

The last band is from Cork, Taispí. They are five musicians that play Celtic Rock.

www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=504817

www.myspace.com/taispi

As far as I know, they have only released a demo:

"Live at Ballinspittle Festival" (demo 2005)


DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?zyquzonmyjy

SKONTRA - Further info and new track

This is the info that the band has sent me through MySpace:

"SKONTRA ON THE ROAD AGAIN"

Marino, guitar and founding member has left the band because of his job. The new guitar player is Carlos (Carlinos),who has played in the following bands: Adizion Etilika and FalaNonCaduca. Carlinos was an old friend of the band.

A new track is available for free download. It is a cover of the Asturian band Avientu and it is called "Llicenciau en Barricaes". The track has been recorded and produced by Fredo, guitar of the band.

The track can be heard at

www.myspace.com/skontra

and can be downloaded from:

http://www.skontra.net/descargas/Skontra%20-%20Llicenciau%20En%20Barricaes.mp3

AHEAD TO THE SEA- New album on 17 October 2009

The German band Ahead to the Sea will be releasing their third album "Still Angry, Still Happy" next Saturday (October 17th 2009).

The Release Party will be held at the Nagoldhalle in Pforzheim-Dillweisenstein (Bus line no. 3 from the Train Station)

The track list is as follows:

1 .still angry, still happy 3:27
2. antifascist folkpunk-action / pueblo unido 4:58
3. smile & infiltrate 5:00
4. my voice 4:50
5. zur lage der nation 7:11
6. up ya arse 4:10
7. chanson des armen musikers 1:36
8. one, ten and hundred 3:22
9. alive 2:58
10. leute wie ihr 5:10
11. vielen dankeschön 5:22
12. valse de rocher et ressac 3:18
13. schritte dub 7:09

Some of the new tracks can be heard at the band myspace page:

www.myspace.com/aheadtothesea

If you are interested in buying the CD, please contact the band:

to.the.sea@web.de

THE BOOZE (BROTHERS) - New album to be recorded

(Taken from the band's MySpace page) The French band The Booze (formerly known as The Booze Brothers) will be recording their brand new album Live at the Rio "Montauban" next November 26th at 19h00.

Free entrance !!!

The album will be released on March 17th 2010 (St. Patrick's Day)

26 Novembre 2009 à 19:00 enregistrement Live au Rio "Montauban" du nouvel album !!!

Sortie 17 Mars 2010

Cost: gratuit

VENEZ NOMBREUX !!!


www.myspace.com/tradpunkbooze

JOHN JONES - RISING ROAD - New Album

(Taken from John Jones MySpace page)

www.myspace.com/johnjonesoyster

Oysterband's John Jones is going back to his roots with his debut solo CD, Rising Road. After 30 years with Oysterband, John has teamed up with friends old and new to explore and re-invent some of the classic traditional songs he loved in his youth, which stand alongside several beautiful, self-written tracks.

The idea for the album came about when, on a short break from Oysterband a few years ago, John toured alongside his friends Benji Kirkpatrick (Bellowhead, Faustus) and Seth Lakeman. The collaboration worked so well that a seed was planted. Four years later, Rising Road was born. The album features contributions from Seth and Benji, as well as Ian Kearey (banjo/dulcimer), Rowan Godel (vocals), Sophie Walsh (harp), Dil Davies (percussion and drums), Francois Deville (pedal steel guitar) and Alan Prosser (guitars). Producer Al Scott added some more musical colours wherever needed.

John has a great love of the British countryside, and he had always felt that traditional songs go hand-in-hand with the landscape, so he wanted to choose songs which reflect this: "A lot of the songs I'm singing are traditional. I'm not a very urban animal; I feel folk music to be rural and open. When I sing, I'm visualising the story, and the landscape is a big part of that. Much of this album is an imaginative retake on songs I've known for years. I've tried to look at the traditonal songs very simply, and I've chosen ones that have a story for me, a close attachment."

The album is more pared-down than the usual big, bold Oysterband sound, with simpler, more understated arrangements. But this doesn't mean that the tracks lack sophistication, as John still brings his full range of influences to bear. The traditional song Polly on the Shore, for example, gets a brilliant, slightly sinister acapella re-working which sounds more redolent of the American south than the British countryside. "I had been listening to some of Alan Lomax's American prison farm recordings, and that percussive approach of the work song just seemed right."

While Rising Road contains seven traditional songs, including the mellow, reflective Rocks of Bawn, the spare, poignant Newlyn Town and the stirring, shanty-flavoured Fire Marengo, there are also five new songs written by John. And, as with the traditional tracks, "Some of the songs I've written for the album have a real sense of place," he says. Amongst these is Walking Through Ithonside, which reflects on exploring the wild, untamed Welsh countryside where he lives. This re-connection of the music and the landscape has been very important in the genesis of Rising Road - the album was even given a short sneak preview tour in the spring, which saw John walking from his home in the Welsh borders to all the venues along the way, ending up at Oysterband's Big Session festival in Leicester - a total of almost 200 miles. The album's themes (and title!) were given full realisation in a few weeks on the road, where fans, friends and fellow musicians joined John for both the walking and the gigs. Part endurance test, part completely mad idea, and part homage to the countryside he loves, the tour really helped him to crystallise his thinking about the new album.

"I've spent so much of my working life travelling, but it's mostly been sitting in a tour bus. I'm forever looking out of the window, following the shapes of the hills as they go past and wondering what it would be like to be out there," John says. The tour idea and album evolved almost as twin projects, and everyone involved loved the experience so much that John hopes to do a similar tour to promote Rising Road later in the year.

So after 30 years in music, why is this John's first solo album? "The other members of the band have often gone off and done separate things, but it's always been difficult for me as the singer, as my voice is attached to the emotional weight of Oysterband's music," John explains. "With the Rising Road project, I've really enjoyed being able to express what I do and who I am when I'm not fronting Oysterband."

Release Date: 27 July 2009

Track List:

01 - Let Me Fall 2:31
02 - Polly on the Shore 4:15
03 - Walking Through Ithonside 3:57
04 - Rocks of Bawn 5:49
05 - Litten Tree 3:18
06 - Searching For Lambs 3:47
07 - One Morning in the Spring 4:14
08 - Henry Martin 3:40
09 - Fire Marengo 2:55
10 - One Night As I Lay On My Bed 3:04
11 - Boy in the Window 3:46
12 - Newlyn Town 3:09

The album can be bought from:

www.cdbaby.com/cd/jjonesmusic

SKONTRA - Free Downloads

The members of Skontra joined in Summer 2002 in Gijon (Xixon in Asturian language). The current line-up is together since 2005. At the very beginning they played covers (La Polla, Kortatu, Eskorbuto ...) but little by little they started to write their own songs. Punk, hardcore, ska or reggae are mixed with Asturian folk sounds.

In October 2003 they recorded a demo and at the beginning of 2004 they recorded two tracks for an Asturian sampler called "Rock'n'Llingua".

At the end of 2005 they recorded their debut album, "Semeya de la rabia", that was released in 2006. It was at the end of that year that they recorded a covers EP available only through Internet. The following bands were covered: Barricada (Pamplona), Parabellum (Barakaldo) and M.C.D. (Bilbao).

In 2007 they recorded another cover for the Tribute to the Asturian band Dixebra: "Salú Dixebra-Perversiones"

Their second album was released in 2008, "Cantares pa dempués d'una guerra".

Skontra has played with bands such as Flogging Molly (USA), Circle J (The Netherlands) or Quality Export (The Netherlands).

Skontra is:

César: drums
Gonza: bass
Fredo: guitar
Marino: guitar
Zapico: pipes and flute
Berto: vocals

Former members were:

Fer: guitar
Pitxe: guitar and vocals
Jandro: pipes and flute
Javi: drums


Their complete discography is available for free downloading from their website:

www.skontra.net/descarga.html

THE LEVELLERS - News

Have you heard how the Levellers sounded in 1992 after "Levelling the Land"? Nice bootleg, isn't it?. Now you have the opportunity to get their brand new album Levellers "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" and you will seee that thay are as good as they have ever been.

(This is taken from the last Levellers' Newsletter)

The Levellers and OTF recordings are pleased to announce the release of a very special live album on 9th November 2009. The digital album will be available from all major download stores whilst a CD version with 3 extra tracks will be given away free with the Levellers On The Fiddle fan club membership. The download album will retail at £5-6. To join OTF the fanclub & receive the CD - click here

http://www.levellers.co.uk/www/en/shop/

The live recording has been taken from the band's unique performance last year at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The show was a gig in two halves - the first an acoustic set and the second electric. According to Jon Sevink from the band; “We booked the show a year and a half in advance so we had plenty of time to prepare. You can't treat it like a normal gig. We thought we'd tart ourselves up a bit by using a string quartet, a grand piano and some professionals to add some 'class' to the proceedings. We all had a great night. I was telling myself 'don't miss a single moment', absolutely loved it. Very emotional.”

During the performance the recording equipment crashed and several songs were lost from the final recording. “Live at the Royal Albert Hall” features songs from the albums “A Weapon Called The Word", “Levellers”,” Zeitgeist”, “Mouth To Mouth” and “Letters From The Underground”

The track listing for the download only is as follows:

1) No Change
2) Julie
3) Together All The Way
4) Before The End
5) Chemically Free
6) Death Loves Youth
7) Exodus
8) Hope Street
9) This Garden
10) Men An Tol

And for the 13 track CD with 8 page booklet from Levellers - On The Fiddle membership

1) No Change
2) Edge Of The World
3) Julie
4) Together All The Way
5) Before The End
6) Chemically Free
7) Another Man’s Cause
8) Death Loves Youth
9) Pale Rider
10) Exodus
11) Hope Street
12) This Garden
13) Men An Tol

When asked about album highlights Jon says: “The recording of Before the End from our last album “Letters From The Underground” is better than the recorded version!

If you haven’t heard the latest album "Letters from the Underground" yet you can listen to it all on www.myspace.com/levellers

THE LEVELLERS - Preston Guildhall, 1992

(Taken from the band's website) Mark Chadwick and Jeremy Cunningham met in The Eagle, a public house in Brighton known for attracting the more bohemian element of Brighton's residents, in 1988. Mark had just left local glam-rock act The Soup Dragons (not the 1990s Scottish band The Soup Dragons of the same name) and Jeremy was trying to sell his bass guitar in the pub, having become disillusioned with the music world.

Discovering that they had a lot in common, including a left wing view of politics and a love of being drunk, they decided to try and reinvigorate their interest in music by forming a new band. Jeremy knew Charlie Heather through their previous band, The Fence, where he had proved himself a skilled but not too showy drummer. He was promptly recruited to this new band.

With Mark on guitar and lead vocals, Jeremy on bass guitar and Charlie on drums, it was decided that something extra was needed to make for a more interesting sound. Jeremy was keen to have a violin player on board as he was impressed by the sound of local angry-folk favourites McDermott's 2 Hours. Jon Sevink, the brother of Mark's girlfriend, was brought in to play the violin, adding a more melodic element to the band's Sex Pistols-esque sound. Mark's flatmate "Bucky" was also brought in to play the guitar, but lost interest in the band fairly quickly and left after a few months.

Mark and Jeremy penned the songs that would become part of their first recordings (the audio-cassettes "An Agreement of the People" and "All the Free Commons of England" sold at gigs throughout 1988/89) and the band set off touring Brighton and beyond. They soon built up a large and dedicated live following with their raucous shows; a group of fans known as the "happy hitchers" would hitch-hike around the country, following the band from gig to gig and busking or begging for ticket money.

The first EP recording by the band was put out in 1989. Carry Me which contained the fan favourites Carry Me and England My Home was a comparatively big hit, even getting Radio 2 airplay for the title track (despite the swearing in Carry Me which apparently went unnoticed). In order to play Carry Me live, the band realised they needed to bring in an extra person to play the harmonica as Mark couldn't play the guitar and harmonica parts simultaneously. They recruited Alan Miles to the band to play harmonica as well as guitar and mandolin. Alan also provided backing vocals for the band, being an able singer unlike Jeremy and Jon. The lineup of the Levellers solidified as Mark, Jeremy, Jon, Charlie and Alan, releasing the next EP Outside/Inside and touring with this roster throughout 1989 and most of 1990.

After successfully releasing the two previous EPs on their own Hag label in 1989, a short lived contract was signed with French record label Musidisc. Their debut album "A Weapon Called the Word" was released on Musidisc in 1990 and has since become one of the few albums to go platinum without ever charting. Unfortunately, the first single from the album, World Freak Show had too few copies pressed by Musidisc; the record selling out but without sufficient copies existing for the song to chart.

After an acrimonious split with Musidisc, the Levellers were discovered by Derek Green (the man responsible for signing the Sex Pistols) and signed to China Records.

At this point, Alan became disenchanted by the Levellers' communist approach to money - all of the band's earnings being put together in a fund from which the members were paid the same amount every day. After being refused more money to buy food one day (having spend his day's allowance elsewhere) Alan quit the band. Finding themselves suddenly short of one member, the Levellers' manager called Simon Friend, a young singer-songwriter and at that time a roadie for New Model Army, who had played some acoustic support slots for the band in the past. Simon accepted the invitation to join the band, despite it meaning turning down a chance to be the guitarist for New Model Army.

Around this time Simon and Mark played a number of low key shows as The Levellers 2 mostly performing songs that had been in Simon's repertoire as a solo singer songwriter.

1991 saw the release of their second album, Levelling The Land, which was a massive success, entering the charts at number 14. The anthemic single One Way despite not bothering the Top 40, became a popular song and live favourite for years to come among the travelling and indie community. Levelling The Land is often cited as an all time classic amongst people who were students or travellers in the early 1990s. The Levellers' began to sound more of a well-rounded folk-rock band with the addition of Simon's multi-instrumental skill and the improvements in musicianship amongst all of the band. Whereas All The Free Commons of England sounded like the Sex Pistols with a fiddle player, and A Weapon Called the Word sounded more like gentle indie-rock, Levelling the Land had a well-rounded sound including punk-rock tracks Liberty Song and Battle of the Beanfield (about the 1985 police repression against the Peace Convoy which was attempting to set up the 14th Stonehenge free festival), folk ballads The Boatman and The Road and folk-rock crossover tracks like The Riverflow and Another Man's Cause. Simon's distinctively gravelly voice added depth and volume in backing up Mark's vocals and he began the tradition of taking lead vocals on a couple of tracks per album. Mark's singing also improved from the gruff shouted vocals of their early EPs to a fine melodic singing voice. The band also landed a U.S. deal with Electra, although they have since failed to make much impression in the USA. A disastrous tour of the USA in the early 1990s left the band disillusioned with America and the long haul journeys and lukewarm local receptions endured by touring bands.

Throughout 1992 the band enjoyed a series of successful tours, particularly their debut on one of the main stages of the Glastonbury Festival (although they'd played the travellers' area previously). Mixing tracks from their first two LPs with a couple of more obscure songs (like the rock/spoken word crossover Dance Before the Storm) and a storming high speed cover of Charlie Daniels' The Devil Went Down to Georgia, the Levellers popular performance secured their place on the large Pyramid Stage for their famous 1994 set (despite jokingly calling Glastonbury owner Michael Eavis a "cunt" over the PA system when they heard he didn't like swearing). The band also scored a chart hit with the "15 Years EP", a track which was added to later repressings of Levelling the Land due to its popularity.

DOWNLOAD:

http://www.mediafire.com/?jldwmfyylxw (Part I)

http://www.mediafire.com/?q0mjzggxen2 (Part II)

Mr. IRISH BASTARD - New song at MySpace

Mr. Irish Bastard is one of the best Celtic Punk bands in the German scene. They even got an honorable mention at the Shite'n'Onions 2008 Top 10 CDs.

Their line-up is as follows:

The Irish Bastard: vocals, guitar
Lady Lily: tin whistle
Boeuf Strongenuff: bass
Ivo K'Nivo: drums
Gran E Smith: banjo, mandolin

Mr. Irish Bastard has released the following albums till now:

"St.Mary's School of Drinking" (2007,7 tracks)
"The Bastard Brotherhood"(2008, 15 tracks)

The band has just uploaded to MySpace the first new song from the next album. You can check it on:

www.myspace.com/ihatepeoplerecords

For further information about the band, please go to:

www.myspace.com/mririshbastard

or

www.mririshbastard.com
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.
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VOL. XIX - SADLY DEFUNCT BANDS

01 - COUNTY HELL - The Curse 2:13
02 - COUNTY HELL - Last Call 2:43
03 - COUNTY HELL - Spanish Banks 3:56
04 - COUNTY HELL - Galway Races 3:16
05 - COUNTY HELL - Greenland Whale Fisheries 2:31
06 - COUNTY HELL - I'll Tell Me Ma 2:13
07 - COUNTY HELL - Irish Rover 4:00
08 - CORRIGAN FEST - La Victoire en chantant 3:31
09 - CORRIGAN FEST - Nous étions les rois 4:16
10 - CORRIGAN FEST - Hey Billy 3:23
11 - CORRIGAN FEST - La ballade des deserteurs 2:47
12 - CORRIGAN FEST - Les marins perdus 4:02
13 - CORRIGAN FEST - Je marche 3:25
14 - O´HOOLIGANS - Boadicea 1:07
15 - O´HOOLIGANS - Laughing Whiskey, Fighting Whiskey 3:28
16 - O´HOOLIGANS - Eshla Bay 3:50
17 - O´HOOLIGANS - Darjeeling Tea 1:03
18 - O´HOOLIGANS - Hex of the Creek 2:41
19 - TOM O'FOOLERY - SOL 1:46
20 - TOM O'FOOLERY - Rockester 2:16
21 - TOM O'FOOLERY - Buck Eye Rage 1:42
22 - TOM O'FOOLERY - Logan Water 2:45
23 - TOM O'FOOLERY - Where the Water Meets the Land 2:46
24 - TOM O'FOOLERY - Shannanighans Theme 2:03
25 - TOM O'FOOLERY - Egypt NY - 2:12
26 - TOM O'FOOLERY - Civilian Justice 2:56
27 - TOM O'FOOLERY - The Sea Captain 4:05

During 2008 and 2009 some interesting bands have called their quits. I have decided to make a sampler that include some of them because I feel that they are worth hearing:

County Hell was a band from Tallahassee, Florida (USA). They were six guys that shared their music in myspace and soundclick. They broke up last year.

www.myspace.com/countyhell

www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=226710


The next band came from Montreal, Quebec (Canada) and they sang in French. Corrigan Fest decided to stop in 2009, after having released one of the best albums of the last three years, "La Victoire en chantant"

www.myspace.com/corriganfest

They had their own website, but it has been hacked

Discography:

"Demo" (5 tracks 2004)
"La Victoire en Chantant" (13 tracks, 2007)

The third band came from Canberra (Australia), O'Hooligans. Unfortunately they splitted last March 15th. They were 5 musicians that recorded a couple of demos and one EP.

www.ohooligans.com.au/music.html

Discography:

"Trifecta" (demo 2004)
"South of the Strait" (demo 2006)
"Darjeeling Tea" (7 tracks EP, 2007)

Finally, a band from Rockester, NY (USA), Tom Foolery and The Shannanighans. They played their last gig last St. Patrick's. The band had six members.

www.myspace.com/tomfooleryandtheshannanighans

Discography:

"Regulars"
"Beyond the Barrel of Dolls" (2004)
"Ale's What's Good For You" (2006)

P.S.

Once again the mediafire leprechauns have been around. Track 7 was corrupted. I don't know why, the track is OK and when I uploaded the sampler, I got the message " 1 complete 0 errors".

Anyway, I have uploaded again the sampler. Then I have downloaded it and opened with winrar. Now it seems to be OK. So the following link is the new one.

For those who already have downloaded the sampler and have got a corrupted track no. 7, you can download that track from www.soundclick.com

DOWNLOAD:

www.mediafire.com/?wmgw5j42jwm