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Shebeen

Roy Torrens Roger Cole Gerry Woods Richard Barker

Shebeen history:

Shebeen was formed by Roy Torrens at Worthy Down, nr Winchester in 1989. There have been a number of changes of band members over the years and some notable Southern folk musicians, including George Wilson, Carl Danby and Alan Munro, have come and gone. The band is lucky to have a couple of excellent musicians available to step in on occassions, including former UK National Accordion Senior Solo Cup winner David Lukins, Hampshire guitarist John Brenchley and mandola/banjo player Len Davies.

Shebeen has performed all over the UK, including the Channel Islands, played for the Irish Ambassador to the UK and have been billed alongside bands such as 'The Merseybeats', 'Herman's Hermits', 'The Bay City Rollers', 'The Wurzels', 'Breabach' and France's premier celtic rockers 'Soldat Louis'.

In 1999 the band recorded their first album, 'Shebeen Nearly Live' and in 2000 recorded their second CD 'Waiting for the Wind to Change' which has now sold out. In 2008, the band released their latest album, 'Enjoy The Craic', which features many favorites from the current repertoire.

In 2006, the band featured in six episodes of the BBC3 hit comedy show 'Titty Bang Bang' playing the part of heavily bearded pub folk-musicians in the 'Salty Tales' sketch.

The current line-up has remained unchanged for the last 5 years and the latest CD 'Enjoy The Craic' reflects the contemporary sound and repertoire that has evolved since the departure of Scottish fiddler, Alan Munro, and the arrival of Richard Barker in 2003.

Shebeen origin of the name: The dictionary definition is "(Irish) (Scot) (South African) a place where alcoholic drink is sold illegally". The original derivation is 18th Century: from Irish Gaelic "síbín" - beer of poor quality

Band Profiles

Roy Torrens

Roy is the founder of Shebeen and the only survivor of the original line-up. Born in Carrickfergus, Roy started his musical career playing in skiffle bands whilst still at school before passing through a trad jazz phase. He then discovered Irish music through the songs of the Clancy Brothers, McPeake Family and the Dubliners. Roy's first Irish band made a one-off appearance on the "Hootenanny Show" on Ulster Television before Roy departed the emerald Isle to work in England. When not playing with Shebeen, Roy is a keen golfer and artist.

Roy plays:

Ovation Mandolin Model MM68

Roger Cole

Roger, an accomplished cellist and guitarist, was born in Portsmouth and for many years was a regular performer at local folk clubs. Roger was a long-time member of the Hants based trio "Rowan" which was followed by a spell as a solo performer before joining Shebeen. Roger is also the band's dance caller and calls upon a wide repertoire of favourite celtic and English dances. Roger is a retired music teacher and Deputy Headmaster who, when not renovating his house or performing with Shebeen, finds time to sail competitively.

Roger plays:

Ibanez EP9 RRB Euphoria Steve Vai Signature Electro Acoustic

Gerry Woods

Gerry, also born in Carrickfergus, comes from a musical family and started playing from a very early age; his first public performance in the family band was made at the ripe old age of four-years-old! He has also performed both in Ireland and the UK with folk, rock, and R&B groups. Gerry is a talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose beautifully melodic song "Waiting for the Wind to Change" can be heard on the band's second CD, which bears the same title. When not performing with Shebeen, Gerry spends much of his free-time restoring classic British sports cars.

Gerry plays:

Aria Tenor Banjo and a Framus 'Bluegrass' 5 -string G-banjo.

Richard Barker

Richard is primarily the band's bass-player, moving to acoustic 6 string guitar when Roger plays cello and occasionally playing tenor banjo when dancing is requested and Gerry is unavailable. Richard also provides lead and backing vocals. Richard has recently completed a diploma in music and has now embarked on a two-year masters degree in Composition and Sonic Art at Oxford Brookes University. When not involved in music, Richard is a keen marathon/ultra-distance runner and rock-climber.

Richard plays:

Ovation Elite B778 4-string acoustic bass, Takamine G-Series EG541SC 6-string acoustic guitar, Ozark Tenor Banjo and Gibson J-185

 

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