Oysterband

Oysterband is an English folk group from Canterbury, active since 1976. It is known for combining electric folk, folk rock and folk punk with English folk traditions, and for keeping a strong connection to the U.K. folk scene.

Origins and early years

The group develops out of two earlier Canterbury acts: the Whitstable Oyster Co. Ceilidh Band, formed in 1975, and Fiddler’s Dram, formed in 1973 by Dave Arbus. Alan Prosser, Ian Telfer and Chris Taylor are part of Fiddler’s Dram, which later has a British hit single with “Day Trip to Bangor” after the group has already split up. The musicians regroup for a final album, and Kearey joins them. He later becomes part of the group’s roots-focused alter ego, the Oyster Ceilidh Band.

Name and recordings

The group is later renamed Oyster Band in 1981 and plays gigs around England. In its early years it self-releases albums on its own Pukka label. It also appears under the earlier form The Oyster Band.

Collaborations and releases

In 1990, Oysterband works with folk singer June Tabor on the album Freedom and Rain and a tour. After a long gap in recording, the group returns in 2003 with Rise Above, an album of eight original songs and two English traditional numbers, with Irish piper James O’Grady contributing throughout.

Line-up

The group’s members include Ian Kearey, Cathy Lesurf, Chris Wood, Chris Taylor, John Jones, Alan Prosser, Ian Telfer, Will Ward, Russell Lax, Ray Cooper, Lee Partis, Dil Davies, Adrian Oxaal, Al Scott, Pete Flood and Sean Randle. A later line-up includes John Jones on lead vocals and melodeon, Alan Prosser on guitars, viola and vocals, Ian Telfer on fiddle, English concertina and vocals, Dil Davies on drums, and Chopper on bass guitar, cello and vocals.