Biography
The Cock and Bull Band were formed in 1979 from the ashes of Hemlock. Members were Brad Bradstock, John Maxwell, Jean-Pierre Rasle and Dave Whetstone. Paul Martin replaced Brad in 1980 and the band recorded their debut album All Buttoned Up on Topic Records in 1981 and began their ascent on the folk festival and ceilidh world. Maxwell, Martin and Rasle then put Cock and Bull on hold for a spell in The Albion Band before returning to record and release their second Topic album, Eyes Closed and Rocking in 1985. The following year both Dave Whetstone and then John Maxwell left the band to be replaced by Pete Lockwood, whose sax and keyboard gave the band a completely different sound and style. Steeleye Span's Nigel Pegrum produced the band's third album Concrete Routes and Sacred Cows at his Milton Keynes Pace studio. This album received many favourable reviews and saw the band much in demand on the festival and ceilidh circuit and was followed in 1991 by their first CD release, a compilation entitled A Cock and Bull Story. . Developments in music technology allowed the band to use programmed drum patterns and basslines as part of their live performances in a way that would become popular with many folk fusion artists a decade or so later. In 1992 Vanda Sainsbury joined on clarinet, sax, recorders and keyboard adding an even greater dimension to Cock and Bull's already extensive palette. This line-up, which many consider to be the most creative and adventurous period of the band, lasted until 2000 and saw the release of Below THe Belt in 1993 and then Pumped Up and Loaded in 96 and Encore Du Vingt in 99 on Mrs Casey Records. In 2000 Vanda left and was replaced by Steve Cobham on electric guitar. This line-up lasted longer than any other but released no album, apart from a 20th aniversary CD reissue of Concrete Routes in 2009. In 2010 firstly Steve and then Jean-Pierre both left the band and moved to France. In 2011 Vanda rejoined Paul and Pete and the 're-invented' new trio have begun to gig again and plan a new CD for 2012. A Cock and Bull Story indeed!
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