The Family Mahone are part band, part drinking club and part inbred Cheshire red-neck religious cult. Formed on St. Patrick's Day 1998, they have heroically extended the drinking habits of that revelrous evening to the other 364 days of the year in a selfless search for the alcoholic nirvana that lies at the centre of so many of their songs. Both their albums, "Songs of the Back Bar" and "On The Razzle", are packed full of trademark Mahone drinking songs, from the raucous rants of the inebriated bon viveur to the maudlin, bottom-of-the-glass reflections of middle aged ennui.

Whatever any of that means.

The band is made up of the triplets, the identical twins and the village idiot whose other jobs include market stall holder, international management consultant, Radio 2 DJ and running a highly respected graphic design company from Mum's front room in Sale. They were recently voted “band most likely to...” in What's On in Mickle Trafford magazine, though “most likely to what” it didn't say. Dapper, handsome and rampant, they are known in their native Chester as a bit of a folk boy band. The Mahones are delighted to be returning to Cropredy after playing at the Fairport Convention festival here in 2004.

The lineup consists of DJ Mahone on drums and lead vocals; Doc Mahone, on fiddle, five-string banjo and vocals; Christy Mahone, on mandolin, tenor banjo and vocals; Rusty Mahone, on accordion and vocals; Charlie Mahone on bass; and Big Donal Mahone on guitar.

This well-cultured five-piece claim as their heritage the dance funk movement of James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Sly and the Family Stone. The band have a lot of history behind them. Jim Bennion (Clarion, The Unprofessionals, TNT, The AGB Band and Freeway Jam) has toured extensively over the years, and has been acclaimed as one of the best guitarists of his time.

Dan Livesey (Ragged Company and TNT) pulls together funk, soul and rock, with influences as diverse as King Crimson, Elvis and Prince. His intense passion for getting things right has kept him in constant demand throughout his professional drumming career.

Local studio entrepreneur Gavin Backhouse has worked in the music industry all his adult life, and says he is driven to perform “because Stevie Wonder was there”. This keyboard player from Kuala Lumpur has played all over the world with the likes of Secretary Bailey, Tony Remi and Roger Inis.

The filling in the pie is Matty Keefe (Freezing in Cannes, Journey into Gingerbread, The Unprofessionals and TNT). With a cultured vocal palate, this fellow plays with his recipes.

Kingpin Mick Bennion (The Unprofessionals, TNT and The AGB Band) has lived for this day. With influences evolving from the underground funk of the early seventies through to the latest album from Jeff Beck, this boy has lived and breathed for this moment: funk is back!

Spank the Monkey was born during the early part of 1994. Over copious pints of Hook Norton’s finest, a plan was hatched to create a band in the image of the great British rhythm and blues bands of the sixties.

After a turbulent first six months that saw scrappy live performances and multiple changes of personnel, the present line up was established in April 95. It consists of Andy Tibbetts on vocals and slide guitar, Paul “Diamond White” Ashby on harp, Martin Green on lead guitar, Dave Marsh on bass guitar and Phil Aris on drums and vocals.

In 1999 Spank signed for independent record label “A New Day Records”. The band’s first CD album, simply entitled “Spank”, was released shortly afterwards and was selected as one of the best albums of the year by Blues Matters magazine.
The second album “Year of the Monkey” was recorded totally live during one of Spank’s legendary Christmas performances and was released in August 2004 to coincide with the band’s tenth anniversary.

This popular four-piece band is currently promoting its new album, “A Short Walk to the Red Lion”. This is the band’s fourth studio album in eight years and sees another string of remarkable songs from the pen of Gerry Colvin, the band’s singer and songwriter. Colvin’s writing moves effortlessly from powerful rock/pop anthems to stunning ballads and whimsical takes on daily life and relationships, all delivered with a musical background of incredibly catchy hooks. His dynamic and engrossing stage presence has been displayed in appearances on The Old Grey Whistle Test and The Tube.

The band’s musicians are all seasoned players, with credits to their name including “Racing Cars”, “The Flirtations”, “Paper Lace”, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, “The Albion Band” and Alison Moyet.

“That Colvin isn’t a huge star is just criminal” – The Birmingham Post

Formed in 1986, Freeway Jam have established themselves as one of the best live bands in the country. With a huge repertoire of songs built up over many years on the road - from festivals to venues, pubs to private parties - the boys can cover just about anything.

The band has appeared with some of the greatest names in music. Both collectively and individually, they have shared the stage with Robert Plant, Fairport Convention, Steve Gibbons, Bernie Marsden, Man, Stray and many, many more. They are musicians of the highest calibre, appearing not once but twice on the BBC`s
Radio One in session, as well as touring Europe playing at festivals and venues,changing the music to suit the scene.

Playing either electric or acoustic they always produce a warmth and feel to suit any occasion, Freeway Jam have two albums currently on sale, both on the ANEWDAY record label: Pictures Don’t Lie and Life In The Old Dogs Yet.

“The bush that’s been hiding the light of The Andy Guttridge band should be dug up and burnt for crimes against mankind!” says Allison Thomas in Get Rhythm magazine.

Touring with a new lineup, AGB is amazing audiences with a stunning mix of original material, occasional covers and a huge sense of fun that makes for an unforgettably entertaining gig.

Andy has worked with many of the country’s finest musicians and boasts three of them in this latest incarnation of the band. The lineup now consists of Andy Guttridge on vocals and acoustic guitar, Jim Bennion, on lead acoustic and electric guitars, Mick Bennion on six string basses and Danny Livesey on drums and percussion.

Big Eyed Fish has been described as Banbury's most diverse covers band, playing a wide variety of music ranging from Neil Young and Dave Mathews to Porcupine Tree. They are also known for their ability to belt out rock favourites from the likes of Led Zepplin and Thin Lizzie.The band features Richard Hoy on guitar, Colin Merry on guitar and vocals, Lee Thurstans on percussion and Al Parker on bass and vocals.

In his Netrhythms review of Deb's solo album "My Prayer" Mike Davies says "She's got a soft, breathy autumnal evening and raindrops voice of deceptive depth.”

Deb's performing career started with friend Julie Thurman as an unaccompanied duo, the Aqua Sisters, which eventually grew to a five-piece band. Bookings included support slots for Harvey Andrews and Show Of Hands among others and festival appearances at Glastonbury, Larmer Tree and Cambridge.

Around four years ago, however, the Aqua Sisters went their separate ways, and Deb became a full time member of the Phil Beer Band. Previous charitable activities include recordings for the stunning “Heart of England” compilation CDs volumes one and two which have raised a substantial sum for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Phil and Deb also recently donated a version of the Steve Knightley classic "White Tribes" to another charity CD, "Huntingdon Hall 3", raising funds to assist in the upkeep of the Worcester venue.

These days Deb is based in South Oxfordshire. Her ability to slip into a range of vocal styles has her in demand as a session musician. Deb's long awaited first solo album "My Prayer" was released in September 2003 to much critical acclaim. Her next recording project, a solo album entitled “Semer Water” and featuring songs with a supernatural theme, was released in September 2004. Also in September, Deb embarked on a duo tour with Phil Beer.

Red Dog consists of Nathan Holland on vocals and guitar; Bob Peters on guitar; Alan Hamblett on bass and Yanto Evans on drums. Alan and Yanto have been playing together for six years, previously in a band called 'Hornimental'. Nathan joined to replace the previous singer in 2003, and instantly proved an asset with his powerful voice and song-writing capabilities. When the lead guitarist then decided to leave Alan brought in Bob on lead guitar.

The band suddenly found renewed enthusiasm and inspiration, and changed its name to Red Dog. The band is gigging on the local circuit and always looking for new venues. They recorded their first CD at K1 studios in Bedford at the end of 2004 and are receiving good feedback. Material for a second CD is currently being written.

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