US band the Bedlam Rovers are unlikely to appeal to
folk traditionalists, with their potpourri of influences and an
unfettered approach to distilling their influences, but their live
performances have certainly won many converts. Their debut album was
illuminated by the mandolin playing of founder member Jeremy, but when
he departed after its release, it left them with a press description of
‘Celtic rock’, to which they no longer subscribed (despite an early
cover version of ‘Danny Boy’ and material by Christy Moore). A quintet
from San Francisco, California, USA, they formed in the early 90s,
taking their unusual name from a suggestion made by a British friend.
They quickly earned a reputation for their protest lyrics and live
shows. Other influences included traditional working songs and the early
recordings of Johnny Cash. In 1993 they travelled to the UK in support
of Wallow, remarking in interviews that it was the first release
properly to represent their live performances. They played regularly
with Chumbawamba, endearing themselves to audiences with their ability
to incorporate ska, folk rock and garage riffs into a cohesive whole.
