Penny Black combines the talents of Lancashire "lads" - John Bond (Vocals and Guitar ) and Pete Skinner (5 String electric and Acoustic Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Variax, Roland GR-20/Switch Midi Guitar, Q-Chord etc. and Vocals) supplemented on occasions by one or more of their musical friends or family .
Having spent many years honing their musical abilities (they've been honed so much they're just about worn away!) they decided to form a fun group for their own amazement! playing Lancashire songs and dialect poems, comic (some might say risqué) songs plus various serious and not so serious instrumentals, the most important aspect of the group had to be to enjoy what they were doing and to spread this enjoyment to their audiences - this they have succeeded in doing in fact a local report on one of their gigs stated "when Penny Black had finished their set, there wasn't a dry seat in the house!"
The lads, like the Penny Black, are getting on a bit (and think they're worth a bob or two) and have been working clubs pubs and festivals in various groups and solo since the 60's, John was a long time member of the madcap group Distressed Gentlefolk, Pete has played (and still does) with several "line-ups" ranging from Shanty groups to Rock and Roll
Some people might say that philately will get you no where but this group of rare old oddities is definitely a "First Class Collection"
Pete was born in Blackpool and started playing and singing at a very early age, by the time he was 10 he had his first gig - playing double bass! During the sixties and seventies he joined the folk revival and played with several groups including; The Brewers, The Shoal, Local Gentry and Grog and is still a member of several groups playing everything from traditional folk to 50's rock 'n' roll and Goodtime music. Pete has a passion for music and plays most instruments he can get his hands on! his main instruments are acoustic and electric banjo, guitar, Variax, Roland GR-20/Switch Midi Guitar, mandolin and autoharps (including Q Chord.)
John was born on a farm at Marton, Blackpool, started singing in the School & Church Choir and has not stopped since! Having played in Skiffle bands in the 50's and later with Distressed Gentlefolk, can be seen playing now with Penny Black and the Wyre Pier Band, John has also played with - The Elderly Brothers and The Fleetwood Mashers and solo in clubs, pubs and Festivals throughout Great Britain - John along with Pete are the hosts at the Falcon Sing around
Penny Black play throughout the UK at Clubs Pubs and Festivals, in their "spare time" they can be seen jamming at local sessions in the Lancashire area of the UK
Most Traditional Folk Singers, Skiffle names like Lonnie Donegan, Bluegrass styles of Flatt & Scruggs, Monroe, Bela Flek. Comedy folk singers as; His Worship & the Pig, Mike Harding, and more modern singers as John Denver.
Variax 500 & 700 acoustic Guitrs,Roland GR-20,SWITCH Midi Guitar, zoom 7007, Picstrum, Q-Chord, electric Banjos, Guitars, Mandolins etc
Penny Black have taken ARC (Athritis Research Campaign) and Gordon Giltraps "Make Music Live" insentive as their chosen charity for 2003/4.