Merry Hell

Merry Hell is an English folk-rock group from Wigan. Formed in 2011, it builds on the earlier history of the Tansads, a nine-piece folk-punk-rock band that releases five albums and tours extensively before the members go their separate ways for around ten years.

Formation and background

The band comes together after the Tansads reunite in 2010 for three shows at The Citadel in St Helens, where the idea develops to continue that musical approach in a new form. Merry Hell then carries forward that spirit into a new project.

Line-up

The group is an eight-piece ensemble with male and female vocals, and its sound includes mandolin, electric guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. The core line-up includes the Kettle family: John Kettle on guitar, Bob Kettle on mandolin and harmonica, Andrew Kettle on vocals, and Virginia Kettle on acoustic guitar and vocals. Other members include Lee Goulding on keyboards, Phill Knight on drums, Tim Howard on guitar and Andrew Dawson on bass.

Style and activity

Merry Hell’s music is described as folk-rock, with folk, rock and folk-rock all associated with the band. Its arrangement of male and female voices sits alongside a mix of acoustic and electric instruments.