The Demon Barbers

Winners of ‘Best Live Act’ BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009

'The Demon Barbers are one of the best live bands I've ever seen. If you get a chance to see them - don't miss it - they are brilliant' -Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

Youthful, enthralling, charismatic, and with bags of attitude, The Demon Barbers combine solid traditional acoustic instruments and songs with the added oomph of a superbly tight rhythm section, making a unique and captivating sound. Energetic fiddle and passionate, distinctive vocals ‘with driven punchy tunes and songs, drum ‘n’ bass grooves, the odd touch of ska and an ever present feel that this lot know how to party’ result in ‘one of the most exciting acts around… check them out....’ fRoots

Over the last five years The Demon Barbers have gained major recognition for their original and imaginative approach to traditional music and song. They take mainly traditional ballads, strange tales of myth and magic and coil them, twist them, make them stranger, darker, becoming tales of Gothic danger; they don’t so much make folk rock as make traditional tales quiver and pulse with electricity. Their new album will be released in June 2010 on Demon Barber Sounds.
 

Line up:
Damien Barber - vocals/guitar/concertina
Bryony Griffith - fiddle/vocals
Will Hampson - melodeon/harmonica
Lee Sykes – electric bass
Ben Griffith - drums

"a dynamic, forward-looking approach to traditional music for the new century"
BBC Radio2

"Shooglenifty and Oysterband collide"
Simon Care,E2k/Albion Band

The Demon Barber Roadshow

English folk powerhouse The Demon Barbers teams up with some of England's most exciting young traditional dancers to create a high energy music and dance spectacular.

“check them out for proof that England’s exciting, phwoar-inducing, evolving dance,
song and instrumental traditions are thriving, live and very kicking.” f’Roots

"they (bellowhead) were joined onstage by the outrageously athletic Demon Barber Roadshow for a Big Band, clog and rapper extravaganza that left the audience breathless and up for a great night's entertainment" BBC Radio 2’s review of the Folk Awards 2005

"just the kind of shot in the arm that folk music needs from time to time"
Nigel Schofield, Free Reed

Trafalgar Square St George’s Day Celebrations 2009: "The Demon Barbers were a revelation and everyone was blown away by their style and humour. Verity Sharp has been telling me all about the Roadshow. I hope we can find another way to work with them as soon as possible." David Jones from Serious

“The hugely likeable Demon Barbers demonstrate again exactly why they won that Best Live Act gong at the BBC Folk Awards this year. Colin Irwin, f’Roots