THE YORKSHIRE TEABAGS Skiffle Group
THE BAND
Adam is our leader. He sings (a lot) and plays guitar (usually). Simplicity is Adam's motto - the less chords the better. Three chords are good with definitely no F sharp minor sevenths. Adam is very keen and apart from organising long rehearsals, is known to practice by himself.
Christine sings a harmony part to Adam's lead vocal and also sings lead in her own right as on, for example, Marilyn Monroe's version of Runnin' Wild. Apart from that she's a multi-instrumentalist with an unusual selection of devices at her command - tambourine, harmonica, kazoo, Cuban frogs, tuned bottles, Swanee whistle and musical saw.
Dave's main instrument in the band is the washboard which he's been playing since school days in 1955. He also plays trombone on some numbers such as Ken Colyer's Goin' Home which he sings as well. Dave has also produced a "pad" for the band containing words and chords for all the songs that we perform. Note the washboard tie!
Frank is the newest member of the band which he joined in 2010. He plays lead guitar and with his F sharp minor sevenths is an essential prop to Adam's rather economical choice of chords. Frank has a varied musical background which includes country, rock and jazz. He demonstrates a definite Hawaiian influence in some tunes which seems to indicate a yearning for Pacific pleasures.
Ken is our visual star. He plays a three-string tuned and amplified tea chest bass, a sophisticated version of the original broom-handle and string model. He goes like the clappers on numbers like Kansas City. He also provides additional vocal support to Adam and Christine.