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Artist
Toss the Feathers
12+ albums
about
Manchester, UK band that play a blend celtic folk, rock, funk and reggae. Toss The Feathers were formed in 1987 after Dave Smylie met Pete Carberry in Manchester's Bouzouki By Night. Joined by Michael McGoldrick, Angela Usher and Martin Moylan, a session at The Bridgewater Bar in Stockport followed and since the Mancunian second-generation Irish group have become legendary on the Celtic Rock circuit. Eddie Sheehan replaced Martin as guitarist and in 1988 Paul Usher (drums) and Dezi Donnelly (fiddle) joined. Founding members, Angela and Pete left before Chris Cormac (banjo/mandolin) made up the 5-piece. Their debut recorded album, "Columbus Eclipse", focused more on their traditional Irish influences with many brilliant instrumental tracks and was released in 1989 to widespread acclaim. The 1991 follow-up album, "Awakenings", (which is also known as "Rude Awakenings") changed tempo and helped earn them a large following in Europe, mixing traditional with rock. Sean Reagan temporarily replaced Dezi on fiddle and in 1992, with Jim Krawiecki, 'The Tossers' made their debut performance at Manchester's Apollo Theatre, selling out the 2,000 capacity venue. Toss The Feathers have, with differing line-ups, since gone on to play all over the UK, Ireland, and the USA. It was in mainland Europe though that they enjoyed their greatest success, practically living there in the early 1990's before returning home to Manchester. Dezi rejoined for a short stint and Eddie Sheehan left befo