Fiddler's Dram

Fiddler's Dram were a British folk band of the late 1970s. They are mainly known for their hit single "Day Trip to Bangor" (1979), although the sound of this record was not representative of the acoustic songs and tunes they had been performing for several years at folk clubs and festivals.

The members of Fiddler's Dram were:
* Cathy Lesurf - vocals, bodhran
* Alan Prosser - guitar, fiddle, bowed psaltery, bones
* Chris Taylor - bouzouki, harmonica, appalachian dulcimer, mandola, tenor banjo
* Ian Telfer - fiddle, bowed psaltery, viola
* Will Ward - Bassoon, Crumhorn
* Dave Arbus, violinist with East of Eden, was a founder member but left before the band achieved success. [ [http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/Diner/2674/arbus_dave_a.htm Dave Arbus] ]

They met at the University of Kent at Canterbury and were residents at Duke's Folk Club in Whitstable. With other club members including John Jones and Ian Kearey, they formed the Oyster Ceilidh Band c.1976, with Cathy Lesurf singing and later assuming the role of caller at dances.

Bassoon-player Will Ward had joined the Oyster Ceilidh Band by 1978, and became the fifth member of Fiddler's Dram on their eponymous second LP, recorded hurriedly to follow up on their unexpected success in the singles chart. The band were unable to achieve subsequent success however - in the words of Ian Telfer "Day Trip To Bangor" was "the kind of success you don't easily recover from. Fiddler's Dram did one more tour then gratefully took the money (and the gold discs) and ran".

"Day Trip To Bangor" was actually inspired after a day trip to Rhyl (a seaside resort 35 miles east of Bangor, North Wales), but because Bangor had an extra syllable and slipped off the tongue easier it was used ahead of Rhyl. This caused an outcry from Councillors and businesses in Rhyl who complained that the publicity would have boosted the resort's tourist ecomony.

The Oyster Ceilidh Band continued as both a dance and concert band however, changing their name c.1982 to Oysterband. Cathy Lesurf subsequently left the Oysters for a spell with the Albion Band.

Discography

*"To See the Play" (1978) Dingle's LP DIN 304
*"Fiddler's Dram" (1980) Dingle's LP DID 711

References