Leatherat

Event information

Leatherat are five musicians dedicated to playing original folk-rock music loud, fast and to the highest standard. 'The 'ats' (as they are affectionately known) are based in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The current line up consists of Pete Bailey (Vocals, Mandolin & Guitar), Jono Watts (Violin), Jeremy Paul Carroll (Bass), Jim Bennion (Guitars) & Hugh Edwards (Drums). Leatherat's live show captures the excitement of a rock gig combined with the influences of traditional and original folk tunes. Their show has a high level of energy that is instantly communicated to their audience spanning all generations, from teenagers, to hardcore rockers, punks and nostalgic folkies! With a stage presence to challenge any contemporary band their carefully crafted songs combine with their own sheer enjoyment of the music to fuel their powerful performance.

On the forming of Leatherat, Pete Bailey say's "...I was sick of ['Nice Folk Music'] and formed a band to put a hard rock beat behind the mandolin and violin, giving rise to Punk/Folk (or POLK!) And thus, for want of a better name, and already being known for my distinctive headwear, Leatherat was born!"

The True Deceivers were formed in 2003 from the ashes, as it were, of The Blazing Homesteads. Comprising Homesteaders Nick Bliss (guitar and vocals), Mark Mitchell (fiddle and vocals) and Dee Coley (bass) they joined up with former Plenty frontman Graham Firth (lead vocals and guitar) and Jamie Legg (Eat The Sofa) on drums. They soon made a name for themselves on the live scene with their rootsy folk rock sound punctuated by Mark's stunning fiddle playing and Nick's punchy guitar work. Their influences range from Steve Earle to Bob Dylan, The Waterboys and Tom Petty. Following Mark's sudden death in March 2009 the band reverted to a more acoustic sound with Dee picking up his acoustic bass and Nick swapping his Telecaster for an acoustic guitar and mandolin. The result is a more stripped down sound whilst still retaining the band's ear for a melody and losing none of the power of the original line up.

www.leatherat.com
www.thetruedeceivers.com
www.cfs4.com
www.myspace.com/stevieoneblokeonemandolin