08-05-2008

Welcome to The Swampmen Web site!

The Swampmen are a group of musicians based in Bristol, England. We play mostly a mixture of folk, blues and experimental jamming using as many strange instruments as we can lay our hands on. Founder band members are Tony O'Hare (mainly vocals, guitar, harmonica), Dave Hares (mainly guitars, mandolin, bass & recording/production) & Dave Hooper (mainly keyboards, mandolin, mandola & percussion). Newer recruits to The Swampmen are John Jones (JJ) who plays double bass and guest Keith Hodges who has joined us for some of our blues gigs at The Old Tavern, Fishponds - see the new Gigs & Events page. A special mention is due also to The Swampetals Viv & Debs (accordion & singing respectively) who occasionally add that touch of glamour and class otherwise sorely lacking in the band....

For more info on the band and group members see the Swampmen Info page. We practice (in the loosest possible sense) at the Hermit Studio (Dave's back room) or occasionally at Tony's Musical Emporium in Fishponds, Bristol, usually followed by a warm-down drink at a local pub.

We mostly play at local folk clubs & open mic nights and occasionally play a gig or go out playing on location in public places. See the Swampvision page and the new Gigs & Events page.

What's New on This page? Check out stuff in swampy green writing.

New link from this site added to the Folk Around Bristol web-site. This is a useful site with lot of info about folk music events, other folk clubs, Morris Dancing and lots more in and around Bristol.

Folk Around Fishponds has its very own page on this site. Click on the link below or on the navigation button on the left side of this page.

One of Dave Hares's other musical projects, The IRC - short for Improvisational Racket Combo - now have a page on Myspace at:

www.myspace.com/improvisationalracketcombo

There are musical clips and photos and info and blog stuff etc - hmm, sounds about time The Swampmen got onto Myspace too - watch this space!

Some Links Have a look at the following related sites: Folk Around Bristol Nova Scotia Folk Club - meets every Monday from 8pm at the Nova Scotia pub on Cumberland Basin, Bristol. The Old Tavern, Fishponds - Acoustic Nights Prints Music improvisationalracketcombo The Willbees Karl Dallas's web-site & others....

Folk Around Fishponds These acoustic folk evenings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. The next Folk Around Fishponds evening is upstairs at the Cross Keys, Fishponds Road is on Tuesday 13th May 2008 from 8 pm. Musicians and listeners all welcome. Free entrance. **There is a special Folk Around Fishponds page on the Swampmen web-site.** Click on the link above or on the navigation button on the left side of this page. This page contains photos and blurb from previous folk nights and much more. If you're not already on the club's email list you can be kept informed of future dates by sending a message to swampmen@blueyonder.co.uk Swampmen Music   CD's by the Swampmen & friends. Music clips for you to listen to.

Swampvision 2006 See photos from the Swampmen's mini-tour of The Malverns & Pershore 3/5/06. Swampvision 2005   Photos & blurb - Swampies on location.... Photo Gallery   A selection of photos of the Swampmen and other stuff...