discography
The Land Was Stolen
Released: 2009
Available here via Paypal and also in Wantage through The Music Gallery, 8 Newbury Street, Wantage, OX12 8BS 01235 770353
[MORE / BUY]Didcot Jewellery Shop
Released: 1996
This EP was the result of a live session for the BBC, recorded at Birmingham’s Pebble Mill Studios, in 1996. All of the songs were recorded in one take with the occasional overdub for lead guitars. The only exception is the version of the Coward’s Song, which was taken from an earlier recording session at Moles Studio in Bath. The front cover is actually a photograph of the Jewellery quarter in Birmingham as at the time Didcot did not have a Jewellery Shop!
[MORE / BUY]Sea Green
Released: 2002
Our first all acoustic album. Most of the songs included here were written in the six months leading up to or actually during recording. In evidence is an attempt to explore our slant on modern British folk (Paul Downes on backing vocals). The switch to an acoustic style seemed justified when 99.99% of reviews were extremely positive. Highlights include: This Life, Mr. Magpie, Mum and Dad, Destiny and What You Do in My Name.
[MORE / BUY]Sunday Evening 10PM
Released: 2005
In an attempt to capture our live performance we decided to record, believe it or not, a live album. This is a recording of a gig at the Marrs Bar, Worcester in August 2004. The original title was going to be Crash! Bang! Wallop! - The Machine Breakers Live, but unfortunately the song of the same name did not make it onto the final album. Highlights include: This Life, Mum and Dad, When the Boat Comes In, England I Weep for You and Just My Luck.
[MORE / BUY]Come In Drag
Released: 2001
The first studio album and recorded just before our acoustic crossover. Up until this point the band had defined itself in the rock genre, but around its recording the band line-up changed and we moved towards the acoustic world. It is really a document of the rock band and the songs we had been playing live for a number of years. Highlights include: In My Way, English Garden, Big Climb Down and a version of England I Weep for You with honky-tonk piano.
[MORE / BUY]The Bells Ring Anyway
Released: 2004
The title track was actually written during the first Gulf War but seemed more than appropriate at this time. After the simplicity of Sea Green we started to add back a little more colour in the form of whistle, flute and cello. Most of the songs were written during an extremely turbulent time emotionally and consequently have a harder and darker edge. The album was nominated in the best lyrics category at the Indie Acoustic Awards (USA). Highlights include: The Bells Ring Anyway, You Haunt Me, Mediocrity UK and Sea Wall.
[MORE / BUY]Eight Men From Three Beams
Released: 2005
Full drums finally make a comeback as we felt two songs needed the rock drumming skills of Martin Davies. The sound has nearly, but not quite, come full circle. For the first time Mark writes and sings one of his own songs, Middle of Nowhere, Gwyneth Keen guests on, Song For The One Who Leaves; and Simon contributes with his instrumental, The Train at the Bottom of the Garden. Highlights include: I am an Englishman, My Enemy, Closer to the Truth and the back to back, Song for the One Who leaves: Song for the One Left Behind, made even more haunting by the fantastic cello of Catherine Oldham.
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