PHIL ODGERS AND JOHN KETTLE: THE SONGS OF PHIL OCHS: THE WAR IS OVER

A launch gig for their new album ‘The War Is Over’, the gig sees two representatives from the premier league of the folk rock scene come together to create something altogether yet not completely different!

Phil (Swill) Odgers, front man for the legends that are The Men They Couldn’t Hang, plus John Kettle, guitarist for the more recently promoted Merry Hell may not be the most obvious partnership made on Folk n Roll Tinder, but when Swill swiped right to choose John, he made the right move as their relationship has blossomed and sees the duo reunited for a second album.

But first, a little history. For those of you unfamiliar with Phil Ochs, he is best known as a protest singer, coming out of the 60s scene but sadly taken from the world by his own hand in April 1976. A powerful and lyrical writer, a complicated man, compared to Dylan at times (with whom he had a complicated relationship), beset by both anger and self-doubt and a destructive relationship with alcohol.

And now a story. Back in April 2020, as lockdown brought normal life to a halt, Phil Odgers — singer and acoustic guitarist with The Men They Couldn’t Hang — finally found time to begin a project he’d long been considering: recording a collection of Phil Ochs songs. He invited John Kettle (Merry Hell guitarist and producer) to collaborate, and together, working remotely, they created the critically acclaimed album Far Rockaway.

The record became a folk favourite, picking up radio play across the US and Europe and, most importantly, introducing Ochs’ songs to new listeners. With that mission accomplished, Odgers returned to his own writing and touring, with no plans to revisit the idea.

However, four years and seven months later, on the morning of 6 November 2024, when Odgers heard the newsreader announce that Donald Trump had won the US presidential election for a second time, he knew it was time to return to the work of Phil Ochs. A quick phone call to John and the result is The War Is Over — a collection shaped by world events, steeped in anti‑war themes, and filled with stories of struggle and resistance.

The album was completed exactly fifty years after Phil Ochs took his own life. His songs remain powerful, urgent and sadly as relevant today as when they were written.

Phil Ochs died on 9 April 1976 in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. The new album is dedicated to his memory and to the lasting impact he made on people, music and politics.

Come and join us for a special event - tickets are limited and the gigs for the launch of the first album sold out quickly - and if all that isn't enough - the venue plays host to a selection of nearly 50 real and craft ales - and with an afternoon start and early evening finish - there will still be time to enjoy a post gig drink or two - or to get home at a reasonable time!!

YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE!!