Infectious folk from Yeovil's rats (December 20, 2007)
The genus rattus rattus and rattus norvegicus originated
in Asia and still suffer much bad press from their association with 14th
century plague – perhaps unfairly so. Now it’s the 21st Century and rats are
breaking out again, this time from Somerset. Only these rats make up the folk
band Bag of Rats. They may not run about on four legs and carry the Black Death
but they infect everyone who listens to them with
jazz-ska-punk-celtic-influenced folk.
 Classification aside, there’s a rare mix going on with Bag
of Rats. Between them, John Archer (flute, harmonica, percussion, vocals), Mike
Hall (guitar, mandola, vocals), Mary Gilmour (melodeon) and Simon Hester
(fiddle, banjo) turn out infectious folk music. Whether it’s a sharp harmonica,
coupled to driving guitar and pacy percussion, or moving melodeon skipping and
dancing with a fast-paced fiddle, there’s something in the blend that demands
attention.
There are always those who believe an increasingly
eclectic mix of styles and treatments contaminate British folk music - these
West Country rats prove them wrong and pull something extraordinary out of
their bag. Don’t be afraid, sit down and let Bag of Rats sink their musical
teeth into you. They produce sharp, incisive songs without the fear of plague.
Beware though – they could corrupt your traditional musical tastes – but you’ll
thank them for the corruption.
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