Groanbox

This Blog Has Moved

2011-05-03T09:26:00.001Z

Hello folks,
Groanbox has modernized to wordpress, so this blog has now moved to groanbox.com.
Cheers!
Groanbox

More Live from the November 2010 Tour

2011-01-31T01:57:00.003Z

Kathleen from Livingston Sessions performed live at The Chambers in Folkestone.

Live from the November 2010 UK Tour

2011-01-05T16:56:00.004Z

Spiders and the Stones and Les étoiles et les cigales from Fences Come Down performed live at the Courtyard in Hereford.

Livingston Sessions

2010-10-08T17:10:00.003Z

The complete set of Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes

To forward to the next song, simply click the right arrow on the player.

Snapper

2010-10-08T13:25:00.001Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Snapper. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Mount Misery

2010-10-01T13:23:00.005Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Mount Misery. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Etude sur le quai

2010-09-24T13:42:00.002Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Etude sur le quai. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Beat Bush Hunter

2010-09-17T13:03:00.002Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Beat Bush Hunter. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Oyster Lease

2010-09-10T13:27:00.003Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Oyster Lease. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Hobby Horse

2010-09-03T14:06:00.002Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Hobby Horse. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Kathleen

2010-08-27T15:17:00.003Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Kathleen. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Strip the Bark

2010-08-20T17:55:00.005Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Strip the Bark. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

I Was Born

2010-08-14T12:27:00.002Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing I Was Born. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Doing the Laundry

2010-08-08T14:20:00.002Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Doing the Laundry. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Enchanted Mesa

2010-08-01T18:39:00.001Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Enchanted Mesa. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Peasant Under Grass

2010-08-01T17:51:00.001Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Peasant Under Grass. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Sugar On My Pencil

2010-07-26T08:18:00.003Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Sugar On My Pencil. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Tuvan Voodoo

2010-07-18T18:22:00.003Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Tuvan Voodoo. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Still Life and Gourd

2010-07-12T21:09:00.003Z

Still Life and Gourd
Originally uploaded by jonmacey

John Macey flickrd a bunch of great pics from the Groanbox gig at Square and Compass this past May bank holiday Monday.

Click here to view the entire set.

Tub Preacher

2010-04-22T05:00:00.004Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Tub Preacher. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Must Be Time

2010-04-04T02:44:00.004Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Must Be Time. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Muddy Shoals

2010-03-04T15:40:00.002Z

Groanbox at Livingston Studios recording and performing Muddy Shoals. Video by Oscar Cainer, sound mixed by James Birtwistle. Click here to order the Groanbox Live at Livingston Studios DVD featuring full quality videos and behind the scenes.

Hobo Heaven

2009-06-21T20:05:00.010Z

A Groanbox performance from Bogbain farm in Spring 2009. Video by Norman Strachan. Hobo Heaven is an original Groanbox tune inspired by the story of Helen Hogan. It appears on their first record, Smokestack Trilogy.

Spiders and the Stones

2009-06-17T14:27:00.002Z

A Groanbox performance from Bogbain farm in Spring 2009. Video by Norman Strachan and edited by Oscar Cainer.

Les Étoiles Et Les Cigales

2009-06-17T02:59:00.002Z

A Groanbox performance from Bogbain farm in Spring 2009. Video by Norman Strachan and edited by Oscar Cainer.

Poison At The Tolbooth

2009-06-15T17:42:00.002Z

Poison at The Tolbooth by Groanbox. Performed at Bogbain Farm, Spring 2009. Video by Norman Strachan, edited by Oscar Cainer.

Fences

2009-06-15T17:02:00.002Z

A Groanbox performance at Bogbain Farm in Scotland during the last leg of their Spring 2009 UK tour. Video by Norman Strachan, edited by Oscar Cainer.

Shards Of The Journey (Talisman)

2009-06-15T15:56:00.004Z

Shards Of The Journey (Talisman) by Groanbox, performed at Bogbain Farm, Spring 2009. Video by Norman Strachan, edited by Oscar Cainer.

Photos from Groanbox Spring 2009 UK Tour

2009-05-08T17:17:00.004Z

Poison at the Tolbooth

2009-05-08T10:08:00.001Z

Groanbox performs "Poison at the Tolbooth" at the Tin Hut, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Spiders and the Stones

2009-05-08T09:55:00.000Z

Groanbox performs "Spiders and the Stones" at the Tin Hut, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Rabbit on a Hill

2009-05-08T09:52:00.001Z

Groanbox performs "Rabbit on a Hill" at the Tin Hut, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Proud Papa

2009-05-08T09:41:00.001Z

Groanbox performs "Proud Papa" at the Tin Hut, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Pigman's Dog

2009-05-08T09:39:00.000Z

Groanbox performs "Pigman's Dog" at the Tin Hut, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Bogeyman

2009-05-08T09:38:00.001Z

Groanbox performs "Bogeyman" at the Tin Hut, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

I Heard the Angels Singing

2009-05-08T09:33:00.000Z

Groanbox performs Rev. Gary Davis' "I Heard the Angels Singing" at the Tin Hut, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Little Sadie

2009-05-08T09:30:00.001Z

Groanbox performs the Trad. "Little Sadie" at Gartmore Village Hall, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Long Tall Mama

2009-05-08T09:24:00.002Z

Groanbox performs Big Bill Broonzy's "Long Tall Mama" at Gartmore Village Hall, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Where are You Now?

2009-05-08T09:21:00.001Z

Groanbox performs "Where are You Now?" at Gartmore Village Hall, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Rabbit on a Hill

2009-05-08T09:18:00.000Z

Groanbox performs "Rabbit on a Hill" at Gartmore Village Hall, Scotland during their Spring 2009 tour.

Global Echoes on BBC Oxford

2009-04-27T20:20:00.005Z

Groanbox was interviewed on the Global Echoes program on BBC Oxfordshire during their spring 2009 tour.
Listen to the show on BBC iplayer here

Groanbox March 09 Photos: Signs, Symbols, and Serendipity

2009-04-21T21:11:00.000Z

Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy, Fife

2009-04-06T22:36:00.002Z

"There's energy here that I just don't understand..."

Special guest : Rabbie Burns

2009-04-06T22:26:00.005Z

The Bard of Ayrshire sits in with Groanbox at the Glasgow show.

Larry plays fife (pt. 3)

2009-04-03T13:23:00.000Z

Larry plays fife in Glasgow. Part 3 : One of Glasgow's finest.

Larry plays fife (pt. 2)

2009-04-03T13:21:00.001Z

Larry plays fife in Glasgow. Part 2 : Two hours later.

Larry plays fife (pt. 1)

2009-04-02T15:30:00.001Z

Larry plays fife in Glasgow. Part 1 : Confrontation with Vlad.

Gummer

2009-04-02T15:22:00.002Z

Introducing...Gummer

Shave My Poodle

2009-04-02T15:11:00.001Z

Shave My Poodle live at the Village Pub in Edinburgh.

Jack Jaegerhoff

2009-04-02T15:01:00.001Z

Jack Jaegerhoff struts his stuff at Gartmore Village Hall.

Gartmore Village Hall

2009-04-01T18:43:00.002Z

Excerpts from the first Gbox gig in Scotland at Gartmore Village Hall.

Dancing on the River

2009-04-01T00:27:00.001Z

An interview with Maurice Renquis and a short preview of his new piece, Dancing on the River.

New Directions

2009-04-01T00:17:00.003Z

New Directions in Gbox Music.

Montacute

2009-03-31T23:56:00.002Z

Rastaman Cowherder in the English countryside. Boot shots from Montacute Village Hall. The dark drive. Environment music by the incredible Bruno Amstad.

Leicester/Luxborough

2009-03-31T13:42:00.002Z

Groanbox Village razed. Door in the wall. Freedom Boot forgotten. Freedom Boot found. Repairs to the stomp board. Excerpts from Luxborough Village Hall.

Garland on the Wagon Wheel

2009-03-31T13:26:00.002Z

On the road to Somerset. Featuring the old folk dance classic Garland on the Wagon Wheel.

Groanbox Village

2009-03-19T00:24:00.003Z

Groanbox Tour Shepherd Oscar Cainer gives a tour of Groanbox Village.

Cecil Sharp House and Square & Compass

2009-03-16T20:16:00.008Z

The invention of radar. Poppa Centerbeam and a dog between the legs at the Square and Compass.

Paul Clifford beneath the 'obby 'oss at Cecil Sharp House.

Children playing with the Freedom Boot before the subtle hammering and nuanced groaning lecture.

Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot

2009-03-16T19:37:00.003Z

Groanbox performing at Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire.

Sabrina Asch Pics from Le Poisson Rouge

2009-02-03T16:39:00.003Z

Click the picture for more photos.

Groanbox : The Accordion

2009-01-26T12:54:00.002Z

Groanbox: The Accordion from Metropolis Ensemble on Vimeo.

Photos by Leo Lyons

2008-12-10T23:22:00.006Z

Groanbox Boys were snapped walking around Camden on the last day of their Fall 2008 UK tour by photographer Leo Lyons. Leo also took some pics later on in the evening at their show at Green Note. Click -here- to see them.

ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT LEO LYONS

Groanbox : The Freedom Boot

2008-12-05T14:17:00.002Z

Composer and musician Michael Ward-Bergeman and composer David Bruce talk about the Freedom Boot, one of the unique percussion instruments used by The Groanbox Boys in their upcoming concert with Metropolis Ensemble on January 28, 2008. Video and editing by Gareth Paul Cox.

For tickets and more information click here

Thornton Grammar School

2008-10-12T16:53:00.002Z

Click - here - for a local news video and article about Groanbox Boys' performance at Thornton Grammar School, Bradford, Yorkshire.

Colin Wilkinson Photos

2008-09-19T14:51:00.008Z

Our friend Colin Wilkinson recently shared a bunch of photos he took of Groanbox Boys in action. The first batch is from our May 20, 2008 performance at the Old Library in Kilbarchan, the second from our September 7th performance at the Tall Ship in Glasgow. Enjoy!

All photos copyright 2009 Colin Wilkinson.

Thank God for Oscar!

2008-09-15T15:16:00.004Z

We finally have a day off after more than two weeks of virtual non-stop touring on our Autumn 2008 UK tour. It has been invigorating to say the least. We've been very fortunate to have our good friend Oscar Cainer doing just about everything for us. We would not have survived our mad twelve hour journey from Fife to Folkestone without Oscar's driving skills. We arrived just in time for our sound check, and had a fantastic gig at the Tower Theatre.

We've had some great press which you can read by clicking on the links below.

Review of the Leith Folk Club show in Edinburgh
Review of the York Living Room Concert
Feature in the Herald

Paul Webster kindly shared some photos from last week's Tall Ship gig in Glasgow. Click here to view.

Groanbox Boys Live Compilation Video Spring 2008

2008-07-24T07:18:00.002Z

Recording Vocals in Edinburgh

2008-07-14T00:59:00.001Z

Paul and Michael record vocals in Edinburgh with the Amazing Rolo.

June 1 - Leicester City Blues Festival 2008, Leicester

2008-06-02T12:22:00.003Z

Backstage. A quick set up. Excerpts from the show. Break down. "Groanbox Baby!" by Adrian Burns.

This is the final video post from the Groanbox Boys May 2008 UK tour. Thank you for tuning in!

All episodes compiled and edited by Michael Ward-Bergeman. Camera assistance from Paul Clifford, Cory Seznec, David Bruce, Anne Hughes Clifford, Beau Webber, Sara Furse and a few other helpful audience members.

May 31 - String Jam Club, Galashiels, Scottish Borders

2008-06-01T11:54:00.002Z

Fisherman on the Tweed. Excerpt from the show.

May 30 - Recording in Edinburgh

2008-05-31T10:24:00.001Z

A glimpse into the groanbox recording process.

May 29 - Leith Folk Club, Edinburgh, Scotland

2008-05-30T10:44:00.001Z

LeithFM. Writing and rehearsing new material in the park.

May 28 - Tolbooth, Stirling, Scotland

2008-05-29T12:42:00.002Z

"Blue Railroad Train" sound check at Tolbooth. Soundman Dave shares some fascinating history and shows us around the venue. Bring on the kids! Excerpts from the show.

May 27 - BBC Scotland: Mary Kennedy's Global Gathering, Glasgow, Scotland

2008-05-28T09:18:00.001Z

Strange whistling winds at BBC Scotland. The Tall Ship briefly revisited. A few excerpts from the show.

May 26 - Rehearsing and Recording in Edinburgh

2008-05-27T10:21:00.002Z

A quick look around the recording space. Working on a few new ideas. Paul finds a new instrument.

May 25 - The Tall Ship, Glasgow Harbour

2008-05-26T12:07:00.003Z

Sunny Govan Radio. The Tall Ship. David Ferrard. Excerpts from the show.

May 24 - Selby Town Hall, Selby, North Yorkshire

2008-05-25T07:12:00.003Z

"Long for Day" at Selby Town Hall.

May 23 - Greenock Wanderers RFC Club, Greenock, Scotland

2008-05-24T06:15:00.002Z

Paul's fiftieth bowl of cereal. Writing and rehearsing new material at Gladstone Farm.

May 22 - Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy, Scotland

2008-05-23T15:15:00.003Z

Pushing Scottie's caravan. Tippy toe museum. The Hat. Excerpts from the show. Lady Wemyss and Cory's people of Fife. "Going Up to Fortingall to see the Yew"

May 21 - The Courtyard, Kenmore, Scotland

2008-05-22T16:17:00.002Z

Rabbit head on the dash. The river Tay. The Fortingall Yew. Lawers Dam by Ben Lawers. Deer bones beneath a tree in Borland. The percussion layout at Courtyard. Shattered deer bone fragments.

May 20 - The Old Library, Kilbarchan, Scotland

2008-05-21T09:53:00.001Z

The Groanbox train getting up to speed at the Old Library. "I've got rabbit teeth in my boot." Cory shows us his banjos and gives a brief history and demonstration of clawhammer technique.

May 19 - Rehearsing in Edinburgh

2008-05-20T09:24:00.002Z

Somewhere in the Highlands. Rabbit bones outside the rabbit hole. Rehearsal on a green in Edinburgh. Introducing...Jimmy John and Bobby James.

May 18 - Tin Hut, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

2008-05-19T15:58:00.003Z

Loch Ness Monster. Hanik Attack. North Sea at Findhorn. On the road to the Tin Hut. Excerpts from the show. Loch Ness Monster: Behind the Scenes.

May 17 - Bogbain Farm, Inverness, Scotland

2008-05-18T09:57:00.003Z

Scotland. Fixing the boot. The accordion exhibit at Bogbain Farm. Excerpts from the show. Jamming with Bruce MacGregor after the show.

May 16 - Baldersby St James CE Primary School and Old Courthouse, Thirsk, North Yorkshire

2008-05-17T07:21:00.002Z

Paul's passport problem. Joda. Cemetary strip off story. Ferrybridge Power Station. The beautiful children of Baldersby St James CE Primary School. Edwina Hayes. Kitchenware percussion. "Bygone Era" @ Old Courthouse.

May 15 - BBC Radio Swindon and The Beehive, Swindon

2008-05-15T22:52:00.002Z

Arrival at BBC Radio Swindon. Short jam in the BBC elevator. The Mark Seaman Show. The Beehive.

May 14 - Carlyon Arms, St. Austell, Cornwall

2008-05-15T10:23:00.002Z

Meeting Mel. Double branch kick. The new Groanmobile. "On the Road to Stonehenge" The drive to St. Austell, Cornwall. Paul's pep talk. Excerpts from the show.

May 13 - Bom-Bane's, Brighton

2008-05-14T04:19:00.001Z

Bad situation with M7. Bom-Bane's. Busking by the Royal Pavilion. Excerpts from the show featuring Nick Pynn. Jane Bom-Bane shows us some of her tables.

May 12 - The Boot Inn, Weymouth

2008-05-13T16:15:00.001Z

A history lesson with Terry: Boot Hill. Americans in Weymouth. John Newton and the Slave Trade. Cannonball Rag @ the Boot Inn.

May 11 - The Bell, Bath and Royal Portland Arms, Portland

2008-05-12T12:14:00.002Z

Excerpts from the afternoon show at the Bell. Amadou on Mount Pleasant. Jamming after the show. The drive to Portland. Excerpt from the RPA show.

May 10 - Green Note, London

2008-05-11T10:58:00.006Z

Sound check at Green Note. Oscar Cainer's 1893 Lyon and Healy Washburn banjo with tree of life inlay. "Lets Go Down to the River" "Last Call" Gutter tea. The Tree of Life on Fiona's back. Beedi cigarettes. Larry Campanelli and his special sunglasses. "House of the Rising Sun" N6 Mel.

Photos of the show by Val Kelly

All photos © V.Kelly 2008

May 9 - Royal Albert Hall-Ignite! Series

2008-05-10T10:00:00.002Z

The Yew. Behind the "kit" with Paul Clifford. Shed at the Royal Albert Hall.

May 8 - National Theatre, London

2008-05-09T08:01:00.005Z

The fishy contents of Paul's suitcase. London, "The Big Smoke" Set up at the National Theatre. A short excerpt from the NT performance. Beanos and charabancs.

Photos from the show by Val Kelly

All photos © V.Kelly 2008

May 7 - Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs

2008-05-08T13:38:00.002Z

Fox Tail. Paul plays some farm machinery. "Some moron left the trunk open" Duet for Freedom Boot and Wrotham Arms Zob Stick on the streets of Broadstairs. (Zob stick doesn't survive) Paul powders his gourd, with quite startling results. "Juliette Red Dress" @ Wrotham Arms.

May 6 - Crooked Billet, Stoke Row

2008-05-07T10:10:00.002Z

Rapeseed and sheep in Fiddleford. Jamming at Fiddleford Manor. The drive to Henley on Thames. Red Hook @ Crooked Billet.

May 5 - Sweeps Festival, Rochester and Fiddleford Inn, Dorset

2008-05-06T16:29:00.001Z

Even more Morris Dancing. Excerpts from the final performance at Sweeps Festival. Tension mounts as the GBB can't refill their tires. Coca-Col. Stonehenge. Wise books in the wind on the way down, down, down to the West Country. Setup at the Fiddleford Inn. The nasty 146 lb gourd. Excerpts from the Fiddleford Inn show.

May 4 - Sweeps Festival, Rochester

2008-05-05T09:37:00.011Z

More Morris. Carousel at Rochester Castle Gardens. Guiding in "M7" Set up in the concert marquee. Excerpts from the show.

Some photos of the show by Val Kelly.

All photos © V.Kelly 2008

May 3 - Sweeps Festival, Rochester

2008-05-04T17:05:00.003Z

Mel's Magic Mystery Windows. The Dealers. Aliens. Rapper Sword Dancing. Excerpts from the Gbox first day at Sweeps Festival in Rochester. "I hear my people" Morris Dancing. Gangster of Love. More excerpts.

May 2 - Man of Kent Ale House

2008-05-03T21:23:00.002Z

Burning ourselves out. Excerpts from the Man of Kent Ale House. Bessie Sayce from The Dealers. A beautiful Yew tree story. Freedom (Worry) People. Bessie checks out the Freedom Boot. Demise of the crystalized chicken foot.

May Day - Oval Tavern

2008-05-02T12:14:00.005Z

We pick up "Mel 7" aka the Groanmobile. From the graveyard to the pub with the Gbox Yew tree at our first gig at Oval Tavern in Croydon. Morris Dancing. Excerpts from the first set. Yew trees, churchyards, longbows, things "my grandmother told me", and "before the pyramids"

Photos of the show by Val Kelly
All photos © V.Kelly 2008