Drunken Balordi

Drunken Balordi

Drunken Balordi are a UK-based group playing gypsy punk with influences from world punk, Balkan music, klezmer, folk, Celtic music and ska. The band’s line-up draws on roots in Italy, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand, and their songs focus on drinking, erotic pleasure, temptation, vulgarity and everyday life on the streets of London.

Background and sound

The group emerges from punk roots and plays a high-energy live style built around crowd participation and fast, danceable rhythms. Their sound is described as combining the spirit of punk with eastern European and folk elements, and they are associated with the wider gypsy punk scene. Their influences include The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Fugazi and Negresses Vertes.

Live activity

Drunken Balordi make their live debut at the 100 Club in London and then play across the UK, Europe and the USA. They support acts including Stiff Little Fingers, The Levellers, The Blockheads, The Wombats, Spear of Destiny, Alabama3, Kultur Shock, Pama International, The Stranglers, Scratch Perverts, Anti-Nowhere League, The Popes and Shane MacGowan. They also play at Glastonbury on the Stumerville Campfire stage in 2010, as well as Bestival, Rebellion, Stummercamp, Bomfest, Wheyfest, Rock En Stock Festival in France, Feile Festival in Ireland and Edenfest in Scotland.

Recording

The band release a self-titled debut album on Filthy Dog Records, distributed by Nova, with the single Filthy Dog preceding it. The record is described as containing stories and songs about booze, romance, philosophy and hedonism.

Reception

Drunken Balordi develop a following for their rowdy shows and are known for turning performances into dancing and pogoing. They are presented as a band with a strong live reputation and a party-oriented style.