Bedlam Rovers

about

Formed in 1987, this band initially combined an interest in Celtic & political folk music with anarcho edged punk rock, and were known for raucous beer soaked performances and supporting leftist causes. They created a hybrid sound they called "Sham Rock", that was not unlike current band Flogging Molly's approach with similar instrumentation. Their building live reputation earned them a slot supporting their main influence The Pogues in 1987, and they first appeared with two songs on Subterranean Records' "Devouring Our Roots: San Francisco's New Folk Uprising" CD/LP compilation in 1989 alongside other local acts like Penelope Houston & The Muskrats. After raspy co-lead vocalist Lil' Mike left in 1989, the band somewhat softened their rakish approach when delivering 1990's debut Frothing Green for Rough Trade subsidiary Heyday Records. After this juncture most vocals were delivered by Caroleen Beatty, who sang the Woody Guthrie-esque lyrical stylings of fellow singer & guitarist/songwriter Marko Sakmann. Several more album (and line up shifts) followed as the band continued over the years. Mandolinist Jeremy Bunn (formerly of Honor Role & X-Tal) and drummer Andrew Bunn exited to be replaced in the early 1990's by Theo Denaxis formerly of A Subtle Plague. Original violinist Cindy Wigginton left after the 1st LP, and the group had two more violinists in Shannon McGuire & towards the mid 1990's Morgan Fichter who'd also played previously with Harm Farm, Camper Van Beethove

top songs

albums

▥

Misty Village : Rare & Unreleased 1987 - 1989

Wallow

Frothing Green

Land Of No Surprises

▥

Rover The Edge

▥

Hit Me With A Flower... The New Sounds Of San Francisco

Squeeze Your Inner Child

▥

Hank Williams Revisited

▥

I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive: Hank Williams Revisited

▥

80s Nuggets

▥

The Mission District: 17 Reasons

▥

Return to Sender

similar artists