The Band
Whilst Flash Company are a morris side: the dancers and the musicians performing as a whole, special mention
needs to be made of the freaks and miscreants that make up the band for the sake of scientific research.
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'Buzz' Fairholme plays
the squeezebox in Flash Company.
Rescued from a government research centre in Northumberland, Buzz can play any tune on the melodeon. Try him out next time you see him - he buys anyone a pint whose tune he can't play. He has a git in France. Least that's what he keeps telling us ... |
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Chris, our guitarist is something of an enigma. Fresh from fighting crime on the harsh streets of Bath, he often keeps his mask on to protect his identity. Recently back from battling in the World Wrestling Federation championships, he is simply known as "The Mauler". (he's a pussycat really!) |
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Rich 'Blackmore' Bowman
is the envy of Bass players throughout the land.
On his highly crafted bass, Rich provides a deep and satisfying bottom line to the Flash Company tunes. Often asked to accompany other sides and bands, we've had to resort to a 30 yard dog lead. (although he does seem to like the studded leather collar!?) |
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| Snozz, apparently
the 'Indian Rope Trick' of Flash Company, also plays the squeezebox,
providing unique harmonies with Buzz on numerous tunes.
Occasionally seen with Snozz has a nasty habit of dropping exploding hamsters and blowing up the bass player. |
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'The Admiral'
(Hornblower if you're wondering why - we've already got someone called Richard,
so it was that or Emily).
The Admiral makes the mundane sound of any morris band suddenly lift and make people pay attention. Not coming from a folk / morris background, the Admiral has no idea of the rules of folk music, so walks all over them, with fabulous effect. |
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| 'Rusty' Harp
had to be different. Thinks the Sepia makes him look 'youthful and sensual'.
The bastard offspring of Kenneth Williams and Harpo Marx, Rusty provides the harmonica and unicycle section of the band. Along with the Admiral, Rusty provides that little bit extra that makes the Flash Company band sound unique and exciting. Listen out for the playing off between the sax and the harmonica next time - it's scarily accurate! |
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Gerry discovered us in a dream. He plays the Banjo to relieve himself of his day job as a horticulturalist plant explorer in the Andes. Gerry also plays Ukulele, Double Bass, Guitar, Harmonica, Melodeon, Jews Harp, Xylophone, Hand Bells, Theremin, Bagpipes and CD Player. |
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Our Electric Guitarist, Mr Johnny Hardcastle, is a living legend. The only member of the band to have escaped pressgang, he elusively evades his majesty's authorities, always one step ahead of the fleet. A member of the 1924 Mallory / Irvine everest expedition, he remains stubbornly mute on their summit attempt. |
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Jim, our Rhythm guitarist, was once a finalist on Opportunity Knocks. After being beaten by a singing dog, Jim went into the theatre. After several years of sweeping the floors after performances, we found him loitering round the stage door. Turning down his offer, we made him one of our own, and he's been with us ever since. Sometimes known to knock out a Django trick or two, he's one to watch.
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Seonaidh is the fiddle player the band have been looking for... literally. After stopping at a transport cafe in Berlin, we noticed we were one down at Calais. She finally reappeared a year later with hair. Seonaidh can make any tune come alive and must have done a deal with the horned chap. She's too good!
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| Pics by Ani | ||
