Fiddler'S Dram

Biography & Overview

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. 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.