The band got together in response to requests for various specialist dances. As The Jolly Boys - a posh punter's name, not ours - we did Scottish dances for the Suffolk county set, then as Guernaleon for a series of Breton workshops and dances. Finally, as Harkelees, a dialect form of Hercules, we played mainly English music - but with some French, Breton, German and Scandinavian for a wide range of dances. In this incarnation Harkelees played festivals - Sidmouth, Broadstairs, etc. and regular dance venues in the UK.
It was always difficult for us to play regularly as Dave Shepherd moved to Germany in 1988 and eventually in 1993 the band split up. Simon, Stuart and Val went on to form The Hosepipe Band with Geoff Coombs, and some time later Dave Shepherd joined the reformed Blowzabella.
Harkelees never made a full-length recording, but did studio-record a 4-track cassette, Robin Hood's Bay. Now, however, a retrospective recording is available - Harkelees 1987-1993. This 54-minute CD includes the four tracks from the cassette as well as recordings made live, on radio and in various portastudio sessions. This is now available from:
Tel. 01206 547830 / Fax. 01206 572235 / e-mail
kan83@dial.pipex.com