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and Reels Band |
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For an evening of the best in traditional and contemporary Irish folk music. Songs like: Whiskey in the Jar, The Irish Rover, The Bold O'Donohue, I'll Tell Mi Ma, The Irish Soldier Laddie and lotsmore.
OR FOR AN EVENING OF IRISH AND ENGLISH CELIDH DANCE: MR. GRUMPY'S CEILIDH BAND, Caller: ROGER NEWTON (plusWhiskey in the Jar).
The band were formed in 1989 by founder members Phil Taylor and Steve Bird who performed as a duo for eighteen months on the Manchester Irish pub scene.
They were joined by bass player Jeff Bickerton and the new line-up undertook it's first tour to Ireland. The band later added guitarist George Harvey and Bassist Jeff Bickerton to it's line-up and released it's first tape entitled "Live".
George was soon replaced by fiddler Teresa McGowan, changing the direction of the band to it's present style, and before her departure to the USA, started recording the bands second tape. Upon Teresa's departure, Sean Moran, all Ireland whistle champion added his talents to the band. "By Request"and "Encore" were added to the list of tape releases during Sean's three years with the band.
By the mid-nineties, the band were performing regular concerts together with Lancashire's longest established folk group "Blue Water Folk", led by Ian Grime, under the heading of "Whiskey and Water", the title of the bands fourth tape release. Ian Grime became a full member of Whiskey in the Jar in 1996 upon the departure of Sean Moran. Sadly Ian died suddenly in 1998. His temporary replacement in the band was fiddler Frank Mallon. Frank soon became the band's lead musician, especially following the loss of founder member Steve, who was replaced onbanjo by Stuart Thompson.
On New Years Day 2000, Frank suffered ill health and had to pass on his place in the band to Jamie Knowles who entered the line-up on fiddle. The history continuesÉÉ
The band play a wide variety of gigs including weddings, functions and corporate events, but are happiest playing concerts where the crowd want to let their hair down a little, gigs at Universities and Colleges are amonst our favourites. The band travel up to 1-2 hours radius of Manchester and occasionally play gigs in the south and midlands. Local gig fees are around £200-400 (plus £50-70 for a caller) or more depending on the time spent travelling, usually for two 45-60 minute spots.
All that can be said now is give us a try, you'll not be disappointed.
