Oysterband

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Oysterband (originally Oyster Band) is a British folk-rock band formed in Canterbury in around 1976. The band grew out of the earlier Fiddler's Dram and the Oyster Ceilidh Band. Their first album, released under the Oyster Ceilidh Band name, was Jacks 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 and Lie Back and Think of England, followed by 20 Golden Tie-slackeners and Liberty Hall.

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, fiddle;
Chris Taylor - guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, one-row melodeon, mandola;
Ian Telfer - violin, English concertina;
Chris Wood - bass guitar;
Will Ward - bassoon, recorders, crumhorn, keyboards

By the time they recorded the album Step Outside in 1986 the personnel had settled down to John Jones, Ian Kearey (a founder member, returning to play bass guitar), Alan Prosser, Russell Lax (drums) and Ian Telfer. 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, Little Rock To Leipzig and the June Tabor collaboration Freedom And Rain. 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 Shouting End Of Life. But recent releases Deep Dark Ocean, Here I Stand and Rise Above have seen the band return to a softer, more melodic sound while recent tours under the banner The Big Session have seen the band offer exposure to several young, emerging folk musicians like the Handsome Family and veteran musicians such as June Tabor.

Current lineup

Ray "Chopper" Cooper - bass guitar, cello, vocals;
John Jones - melodeon, lead vocals;
Lee Partis - drums, vocals;
Alan Prosser - guitars, fiddle, vocals;
Ian Telfer - fiddle, English concertina, vocals;

James O'Grady (Uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, vocals) has appeared on the Oysters' albums and tours in the last few years, but has not been confirmed as an "official" sixth member of the band.

External links

[Official website]

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