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Bluegrass band live at the Stag Inn, Hastings

Bluegrass band live at the Stag Inn, Hastings - photo Paul Way-Rider

Bluegrass night

Hot columnist Sean O’Shea meets some of the musicians who play at the regular Bluegrass session held at the Stag Inn in Old Town, Hastings. He talks with them about the magic of Bluegrass and enquires why the banjo is still the butt of so many jokes.

Musicians interviewed are: Mark Hardwick – double bass, vocals; Peter Bumpus – guitar, vocals; Jez Walker – guitar, vocals; John Hornig – banjo, vocals; Steve Bennett – dobro, vocals, and Mark Smith – harmonica.

The Bluegrass group who play regularly on Wednesday nights at the Stag Inn, Hastings Old Town, are among the most talented musicians in Hastings. In addition they are a cheerful and inclusive ensemble that, while observing their own agreed set list, are happy – providing appropriate protocol is observed – to offer an occasional turn to singers or musicians who may be passing through.

To add to their charm, they have faces that are characterful, and one could imagine some of them having just come down from the mountain, or ridden into town after a long spell out on the prairie.

Mark Hardwick, the tall bass player, I took for a reincarnation of Roy Rogers when I first saw him, and this sobriquet has somehow stuck in my mind. Patrons can’t help but tap their feet or get up to dance when being entertained by this very lively and welcoming crew.

Enjoy a glimpse of the action on this video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ay7y2A4O4

Mark Hardwick- double bass and Roy Rogers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginnings

How did the Wednesday Bluegrass session at the Stag come about and how long has it been running?

PB:  Having spoken to Gerry Rolph (banjo player who now lives in Portugal), he says that it was some 14-15 years ago that he started it along with Mike Prochak of “Stone Junction” and others.

MH: The original line -up included Alan Saxby – double bass and Roger Churchyard – violin vocals. There may have been more musicians but I wasn’t regularly attending at that time.

When did you join and what are some of the things that you enjoy about the session?

PB: I started playing with the boys about ten years ago, and you can imagine that there have been a few changes in the line – up since then. We now have six to seven guys that play on a regular basis and it seems to work well. Bands can be funny old things at times, but I think that we’ve got it about right and we all get along with each other.

SB: I first went along in 2008, which surprised me, as I didn’t realise it was so long ago. I enjoy the music, the company and the “vibe” of the evening. It’s a good set of musicians and they’re not “up their own backsides” as some musicians are. Also, I enjoy the area from where the music comes, if that makes sense. I visited Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains a few years ago, and went along to some Old-timey and Bluegrass sessions over there. There’s something special about that part of the world for me. It sounds corny, but it “resonated”, to use the modern parlance. It felt like “home”.

JW: I was asked to go along by Roger the fiddle just over two years ago. I love firstly the music and secondly, being with good friends.

JH: I first popped in, uninvited, about two or three years ago. Once I moved closer to Hastings (and finally to the town) I became much more of a regular. It’s a brilliant session for a few reasons – the standard of musicians is much higher than other sessions I’ve been to, there’s a good reaction from the crowd in the pub (including dancing, singing along, even applause once in a while), it’s very friendly, there’s some free booze for the musicians, it’s a lovely pub – it’s the best session I’ve been to.

MH: I first started attending regularly approximately five years ago. Things I enjoy about the Stag Bluegrass sessions are the audience and the musician’s enthusiasm. I’ve been playing Bluegrass for 20 years and as minority music it’s great to have regular sessions locally.

 

John Hornig banjo player

John Hornig banjo player - photo SOS

The old banjo

When I first heard bluegrass it was the banjo which caught my imagination. Why are there so many jokes about the banjo?

PB: It’s one of those instruments you just can’t hide can you? When played well it adds that extra level to the overall sound. When played loud it can drown out any of the other instruments without a problem. As for jokes about the banjo you either like them or you don’t. But here goes:

 

 

A bagpipe and banjo player both jump off the top of the Empire State building at the same time – which one lands first? A: Who gives a monkeys!

How do you stop your guitar from being stolen? A: Put it in a banjo case!

JW: The people still telling jokes about banjos obviously do not realise how much of a lethal weapon a banjo is, be warned.

JH: People are just jealous of those of us that can play it.

MH: Regarding the banjo I think this instrument is essential in Bluegrass.  I think it helps to differentiate Bluegrass from Old Time Country which ran parallel in the USA in the forties/fifties. Not sure where or when the banjo jokes started but the instrument has always been essential.

The magic of Bluegrass

What do you feel is the particular magic of Bluegrass and what in your opinion accounts for its appeal?

PB: Now that’s quite a difficult one. I think it’s in your make-up as to what type of music you’re drawn to. For me it’s Bluegrass and Country music all of which has its roots in America. What I’ve noticed about Bluegrass is that it gets lots of people’s hands and feet tapping – and that can’t be a bad thing. Unless of course it’s out of time – that’s not good!

SB: There’s so much emotion in Bluegrass music, I think that’s what I feel, mostly. The lively songs are – well – full of life – and it can make you want to get up and dance. And some of the country songs that are given the Bluegrass treatment are so sad and soulful, and often with delicious harmonies. And so, for me, you have the full gamut of human emotion and experience in Bluegrass. And I particularly like the sound of the dobro (which I play) and the fiddle. But each instrument in a typical Bluegrass session is often featured, and each is a joy to listen to.

JW: We play a broad range of music at the Bluegrass session including Blues, Old-time, Cajun etc. Bluegrass is a language that we all speak but not necessarily all we play.

JH: It’s rock and roll, literally. The roots of rock and roll are very much in the American folk music around World War Two. Plus Bluegrass songs are normally about death and alcohol. Oh, and it’s fast – sometimes a bit faster than we can manage.

MH: I’ve always listened to and liked Bluegrass and think it reflects a simpler time when it served as a release from the hardship people from the Appalachian mountains suffered during the great depression and prohibition years and subsequent Second World War years. Also working to its advantage at the moment is that it doesn’t rely on amplification of any kind.

The Stag Inn

The Stag Inn, All Saints St, Hastings Old Town


Background and influences

What was your own musical background and what have been some of your musical influences?

PB: Just the normal – late teenager buys guitar, tries to play and eventually it ends up in the back of the cupboard – failed. But I’ve still got that guitar. Musical influences in the past have been Flatt and Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers, Norman Blake and Old Crow Medicine Show – and too many more to mention.

SB: There’s not much I don’t like, to be honest. I like jazz and blues, but in small doses. Influences? Probably the main ones would be The Beatles, Dylan, Incredible String Band, Fureys, Jerry Douglas (dobro wizard), and the Carter Family.

JW: I’m a blues player, Robert Johnson is the Man.

MS: My musical background has been blues. I have played many clubs in London. Bluegrass is another door that has been open for me. I play in a band called T Chest Blues and have gigged with various bands in the Old Town.

JH: Initially played electric guitar and bass, punk and thrash metal. Then I realised a podgy bearded middle-aged man ought to learn something a little less embarrassing. Unfortunately at this point I decided to learn the banjo.

MH: My own musical background really started when I left school in 1975.  I started to listen to 1950s American Rockabilly which was just becoming available in the UK through Charley Records. Up until that time mostly English rock and roll was all that was available in the UK. This interest carried through to other regional music from the USA – Western Swing/Bob Wills, Old Time Country/Hank Williams Cajun/Clifton Chenier and Bluegrass/Bill Monroe.

Some of you also play on your own and/or with other bands. Could you say a bit about your musical interests and travels beyond the Stag?

PB:  For me, it’s just been with the boys from the Stag. We’ve played at private parties and various venues around the local area.

SB: I occasionally sing at other folk clubs (The White Horse at Bodle Street and the Seaford Folk Club), but I also sing and entertain professionally, mostly at Care Homes, Day Centres and private parties. I also write songs, and enjoy crafting them, and hopefully, creating songs with an emotional impact.

JW: I’ve been playing music for about 25 years in all sorts of bands. My main band is Wakin’snakes and I’m also gigging with my one man band Jeremiah Longshanks. The band plays at pubs, festivals, weddings etc and the one man band is for travelling light. I have some gigs in France coming up later this year.

JH: I’ve no time to do anything, but one day will resurrect my musical career

MH: I play the double bass locally in various Rockabilly and Bluegrass line ups and have toured the USA, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France playing either Bluegrass or Rockabilly. I also still travel and stay in the USA twice yearly and meet up with locals in Missouri (where I have a cabin) and where I join in with the musical festivities.

Steve le Squeeze

Steve le Squeeze - photo Paul Way-Rider

How would you rate the Hastings music scene more generally?

PB: Alive and kicking! There’s a lot of good talent around Hastings.

SB: The Hastings music scene is surely exceptional both for its quantity and variety. I don’t know of anywhere else with such a high concentration of talented musicians from so many different genres

JW: I don’t know another town like it for music, sometimes there’s just too much on.

JH: For acoustic music it’s fantastic, and things like Fat Tuesday are great as well. Hastings could really do with some promoters to get some more touring bands here though – if a band will play a dump in Brighton they ought to be able to play here. I was very excited to see The Tiger Lillies on the Stade though – that’s much more like it.

MH: Hastings is a great place for live music where in general people are open to listen to most obscure music veins, and pub landlords are also prepared to book these types of music.

What are some of your musical hopes or ambitions for the future?

PB: To continue what I’m doing at the moment with the rest of the boys, and regards to ambitions, play at some larger venues.

SB: I’d like to move my dobro playing up a level (or more!) It would be nice to sell some of my songs, too. And it would be nice to still be welcome at the Bluegrass evenings for a long time to come…

JH: To form the Hastings Orchestra for the Age of Austerity. No one would be allowed to play an instrument they’d tried before. I just need a heap of violins and trumpets, about 50 people, a conductor and a venue.

 

For bookings and further information contact: Peter Bumpus, petergbumpus@hotmail.com

More from dancing Eddy Lugsdin at: (crazeedanzer@hotmail.com ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsyO8fYSnVE

Contact details:

For Jeremy Walker: Guitar, vocals walkerjez@yahoo.co.uk   and for Wakin’ Snakes: a lively Cajun, early American, old-time band, and  for Jeremiah  Longshanks on cigar box guitar and drums – travelling riverside blues.

Steve Bennett:  Dobro, vocals, steve1066bennett@gmail.com

Mark Hardwick: Double bass,   markthebass@aol.co.uk

Mark Smith: Harmonica, marksmith92@sky.com marksmith92@sky.com and for The T Chest Blues.

SOS August 2013

 

 

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Posted 12:24 Tuesday, Aug 20, 2013 In: SOS

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