A New Welsh Band
Band Newydd Cymreig
Band Newydd Cymreig
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A New Welsh Band Band Newydd Cymreig |
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Never Mind the Bocs are a versatile five-piece from North Wales, fronted vocally by Neil, Meg and Kate Browning, and driven by rhythm section Pete Walton and David Browning. Collectively, the range of their experience in roots music (from Cajun to ceilidhs, via Blues and folk-rock) ensures a fresh and unique approach to traditional Welsh music and song. Neil Browning is one of North Wales' leading button accordion players. His debut instrumental album "Scwîsbocs" ("squeezebox", in Welsh phonetics) was released in 1999 on Sain records, to critical acclaim (See reviews). More recently, Neil has been the guitarist with top roots-rock band Bluehorses, but now with Never Mind the Bocs he is back centre stage once again, on melodeon and bouzouki. Some of the traditional arrangements from Neil's Scwîsbocs album remain in the live set, but to these are added original tunes and new arrangements of traditional fare. The present band, being a closer collaboration with Meg Browning, reflects the more song-oriented direction they are now pursuing. Their original material is usually in English, but in keeping with the area in which they live the traditional songs in the band's repertoire are sung in Welsh. In addition to her leading role on vocals, Meg is a talented bodhrán- and box-player in her own right. She is also finding a unique voice as a composer and songwriter. On drums is David Browning. As well as being a great kit-drummer and orchestral percussionist, David won the Sidmouth Festival bodhrán competition in 1999, aged just 13! Kate Browning was part of the 10-strong Degogenod, the young Welsh contingent at the 2003 Falun festival in Sweden. As the newest member of the band, she now adds whistles and clarinets to Never Mind the Bocs, as well as another dimension to the vocal harmonies. Completing the line-up is Pete Walton, trying to maintain the unequal balance by not being a member of the Browning family! More usually these days seen playing fiddle with Cajuns Denbo, he now returns to his first love: bass. Pete's bass playing is the foundation for the band's arrangements. Disclaimer! It was not the intention to produce a complete family band, but it seems to have happened gradually nonetheless. Whether it's in their genes or just the fact that they can't escape our music 'cos they live in the same house we don't know, but either way David and Kate have turned into the kind of creative musicians we just had to have in the band in their own right.... |
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![[neil and meg]](pics/NeilandMeg.jpg)