Good job the weather?s warmed up, Brass Monkey will be playing at The apex on Wednesday 18th April!

Brass Monkey features stalwarts of the folk scene Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick, who naturally lock into one another's playing with an ease and precision that can only come of playing together for over thirty years. Sharing the vocals, and sometimes singing together in unison, they bring the fruits of years of experience to this band with an explosive freshness.

Carthy was a well established musician at Brass Monkey?s inception, having been a member of Steeleye Span and The Watersons, as well as leading a successful solo career. It is well documented that Carthy?s early work was an influence on Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Kirkpatrick - British king of the squeezebox - had also played with Steeleye Span for a time, and worked with Carthy in the Albion Country Band.

Brass Monkey were innovative in their use of a brass section which was atypical for English folk music. The band also includes Roger Williams, who trips effortlessly through the fastest of tunes on the bass trombone, and also brings along the euphonium to add a softer melodic touch to the gentler pieces; Martin Brinsford, who can add sweetness or punch on his mouth-organ as required, and amongst his numerous accomplishments on the various instruments of percussion, he can create more drive with the knuckle of one finger than most drummers can muster on a whole kit; and trumpet player Paul Archibald, whose classical training and love of folk music added another dimension to the much loved sound of the band. They will be joined on this tour by Shane Brennan, also on trumpet.

It?s a rare treat to see masters of their art combine with open hearted enthusiasm to reach such tremendous heights. Five acoustic instruments blast out a wild, gloriously unique sound ? the most exciting folk-rock since the heyday of Fairport convention and Steeleye Span.

Tickets are £16 (£14 concessions), from The apex Box Office on 01284 758000 or click here, show starts approximately 8pm.

Line Up:
Martin Carthy ? vocals, guitar, mandolin
John Kirkpatrick ? vocals, button accordion, anglo concertina, melodeon
Martin Brinsford ? mouth-organ, saxophone, percussion
Roger Williams ? bass trombone, tuba, euphonium
Paul Archibald ? trumpet
Shane Brennan ? trumpet