About the Band:

Snaketown are a 3 piece instrumental band from Sussex and Kent in the south of England consisting of Simon Raine on Hurdy Gurdy, Dave Rowlands on Bagpipes and George Stevens on Percussion.

The band plays a blend of mainly English and other European traditional tunes combined with their own chunky drone based compositions. All of this is served up with a contemporary take on arrangement and rhythm making for a truly unique and exciting performance.

	Simon Raine – Hurdy Gurdy: Simon started playing traditional instrumental music with Citizen Camembert in the mid 90’s and produced and wrote many of the tunes on their well received euro-folk debut ‘Anchovy Cappuccino’. Simon went on to form Fiendhandle in 2004, recorded their eponymous album and was part of a successful concert tour in 2005 before forming Snaketown in January 2006. Simon plays hurdy gurdies by Claire Dugué

	Already an accomplished Recorder player, Dave bought his first set of pipes about the time Blowzabella first started playing in public, circa 1982. This was at the beginning of the bagpipe revival in the UK. A resourceful dance caller, he has combined his extensive knowledge of dance with his love of the many and varied styles of drone music in Europe, writing many of Snaketown’s tunes, specifically for dancing. He has studied under some of the best pipers in Europe, including Dave Faulkener, Gunter Bauweraerts, Jon Swayne, and Judy Rocklife. He was the Co-organiser of the successful South Coast Bagpipe Day’s, and has organised the Bagpipe Society Blowout twice. Dave has played in the Ploughmans Bunch (80’s), Wizzard Wheeze( 80’s-90’s), and Citizen Camembert(1996-2003).

	George Stevens – Percussion: If there ever was a catalyst in a band, George is it. An experienced session musician; he has played drums and percussion with every style of music from rock to jazz to reggae. George’s visceral style of playing brings a unique and sometimes mind bending take on the way that traditional music can be performed. George is also a talented and successful maker of instruments for early music such as lutes and harps. For more information visit George's web site.

News: Snaketown scared of snakes shock!