The Ian Gartside band is a "Folk Band" with a difference they believe a good song is a good song whether it is steeped in folk history, comes from the USA or is a contemporary song from the Rock & Roll era. All the songs they sing have that special treatment that only The Ian Gartside band can give, ranging from haunting melodies on the mandolin weaving in and out with the banjo to driving bluegrassesque all supported by solid guitar and sympathetic bass playing.
When it comes to the main ingredient of vocals, their three mature voices can blend in solid hard hitting harmony when required to, but equally they can lend their mellow tones to the more subtle requirements of a love song.
The members of The Ian Gartside Band are no strangers to the music scene, having been musicians/singers since the 50's they are:-
Ex member of folk group- which included Brian Preston and Dave Peters.
- a duo with Dave Walters.
- Rock-n-Roll band with Mike Allen and Howard Bond.
- comedy folk band with Dave Galbraith, Pete Skinner and Ian Jackson.
- Rockabilly with Bill Hunt and Pete Skinner.
Dutch Tour 1970 with the Wayfarers.
Two Long playing records with the Wayfarers 1969. 1970.
CD's - Proceed With Caution, The Elderly Brothers 2000.
Goodtime, Willie and the Poorboys 2001. Somthin' Else, Solo Album 2001.
Test The Water, The Ian Gartside Band 2004.
Organiser - Fleetwood Folk Club 1970 -1975. Hundreds of appearances throughout the folk scene of the 1960's and 70's Numerous radio broadcasts. Regular artist at Fleetwood Folk Festival including appearance at the final concert 2002 with The Ian Gartside Band.
Celebrated "40 years in the business" in 2001, his early days were spent singing high harmony in a shanty group with his two brothers - then his voice broke! He spent the 60's playing in several groups including, The Shoal and The Brewers, touring various folk venues in the UK and playing resident to several folk clubs. The 70's brought many diverse styles of music into his career when he was a member of The Paragon Banjo Band, A Country and Western Band and several folk and folk rock bands including, Grog and Local Gentry, the 80's early 90's were spent playing mainly with Clansfolk a group consisting of Pete, his wife Eileen and son Simon.
Pete and Ian have know one another since the mid 60's and have over the years had the opportunity to play along side each other; live, on Radio and on recordings, so it was no surprise when in the 90's they joined to play again in such groups as . Pete has appeared on many recordings from 60's cassettes to the new fangled CDs, both as a band member and guest musician; likewise he is no stranger to Radio and TV.
An eight year old and a piano accordion, matching red sweaters and Skiffle.... ....another ten years and into the early sixties playing with the when the only spare instrument was a string bass, later formed up with Ray Haslam as recording with the late Peter Green at Westwood Studios "Tyrants of England". a label that generated some names who are still around some forty years on.
Learned Banjo in a hurry and Mandolin as a favour, running folk clubs in the early seventies performing with and , two bands who shared an enthusiasm for sensitive arrangements. Met up with ex-Wayfarer Ian Gartside and made some good music as a duo in the mid- seventies followed by a seventeen year hitch with Ron Flanagan as the reformed .
Took a rest for five years, looked around and rediscovered Ian Gartside playing well with Pete Skinner and crashed into the band. "Playing for the pleasure music brings" is what encouraged me to be involved in the roots theme, "its good to be with musicians with passion"
Folk Festivals, Folk Clubs, Private Venues and Events, Radio and TV
Traditional Folk artist, Rock Folk eg Steeleye Span,Fairport, Rock & Rollers Buddy Holly etc.
Not Much hi-Tech other than our Variax's
The Ian Gartside Band are on their "Back to Roots Tour" reviving some of the music they made in the 50's & 60's
