Oysterband

Oysterband is a British folk-rock band formed in Canterbury in the mid-1980s. The original line-up of Alan Prosser, Ian Telfer, John Jones, Ian Kearey, and Russell Lax recorded the album Step Outside, mixing self-penned songs with reworkings of traditional standards such as Hal-an-Tow.

Related Topics:
British - Folk-rock - Canterbury - 1980s

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After the 1987 release Wide Blue Yonder Kearey left the band to be replaced by Chopper. Subsequent albums included Ride, Little Rock To Leipzig and the June Tabor collaboration Freedom And Rain. Drummer Lee 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.

Related Topics:
June Tabor - The Levellers

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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.

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The Oysterband celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2004.

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