Skinny Lister are not your average, modern day, gentrified English folk group. Fronted by Dan Heptinstall and Lorna Thomas; a vocalist with a lusty cackle and flirtatious presence, the London based five-piece hail from across England. Borrowing the nickname from the Lister family, pioneers in the use of anesthetic, the band have grown naturally and organically over the past two years. Yorkshire born songwriter Heptinstall, Lorna’s older brother Max, and long-time shanty singer Sam ‘Mule’ Brace, met some time ago at a folk club in London’s Greenwich area. The arrival of Tyneside bassist Dan Gray and the naturally exuberant Lorna lifted them into another realm.
Up on their stomping feet and clicking their heels, the Skinny Lister sound took hold as Dan’s perceptive ballads and folkie idylls were boosted by an eruption of a rambunctious free spirited rum fueled party music. Soon the Skinny Lister sound was charging down the nation’s canals and waterways, bursting into spontaneous song in pubs and clubs, kicking up a summer frenzy at numerous festivals. Over 30 festivals in fact, a nonstop work rate that saw them acknowledged and awarded by PRS as the ‘Hardest Working Band’ of summer 2011. “We travelled hundreds of miles together in a Land Rover with a double bass strapped to the roof, sharing the driving, playing gigs every night and going out to party afterwards. We didn’t make it easy on ourselves but it does bond you as family.” Dan recollects.
Their allure is immediate – at a time when modern homegrown folk music often spells designer bearded, theme park Americanisation, Skinny Lister are a welcome throwback to earthier bands. Their musical blend has something of The Pogues’ infectious camaraderie and jovial recklessness combined with the bucolic English landscape of Alfred Wainwright’s fell walking guides.
Now, captured by producer David Wrench (Bat for Lashes, James Yorkston) on debut album Forge & Flagon, the band’s distinctive qualities make their mark. Titled after a homemade pub ran by Lorna and Max’s family friends, Forge & Flagon marks Skinny Lister as an outfit who are decidedly more than the sum of their parts. Galvanised by months of road action they transform traditional and contemporary influence into a singular sound. See them live and the impression is fortified. Not least as Lorna’s outgoing crowd connecting personality is replicated by the rum dispensing, skirt hiking, leg shaking, five strong, all female, party starting troupe the Skinny Sisters.
The group’s folk roots go back to Leicester where Lorna and melodeon playing Max spent much of their youth at local folk clubs, hanging out under the stairs as the traditional sound filled the air. When Lorna reconnected with Max and Dan in London she found their interest in the local Thameside folk scene had blossomed to provide an exciting outlet for her newly finessed singing and ukulele skills.
“As soon as they put the diddles, polkas and jigs in there, there was no holding me back,” she laughs.
“We never sat down again,” explains Dan logically.
The folk fever proved infectious and irresistible; “For years on the first weekend after Plough Monday every year, my dad has gone to sing songs and get legless with the local Molly Dancers. I disowned him at the time but now, of course, I join him!” notes Lorna.
“We all do.” Chimes Dan.
“The idea of a whole pub belting out a good tune, it’s what pubs are for,” sighs Lorna.
In an era when singing a song in a pub can get you thrown out for rowdiness, Skinny Lister – not to mention the Skinny Sisters – are a joyful reassertion of community principles.
“If you can capture something like that in a gig, people are going to go away feeling part of something bigger rather than just standing around with a beer,” Lorna reasons.
“We aren’t taking the piss, it’s a serious primal thing. You don’t need to have been a sailor to appreciate a sea shanty.” insists Dan.
The debut album unfurls Skinny Lister’s charms in detail. Up tempo carouser John Kanaka, a trade sea shanty dating from Mule’s early Greenwich days, and stomping celebrations Trawler Man and Forty Pound Wedding; (a song written by Party George – Lorna and Max’s father – which they reinvent with characteristic verve) are winningly contrasted with the reflective coming of age waltz Seventeen Summers, the lovely nature appreciating Peregrine Fly and the skinny-dipping frolics of Colours.
Skinny Lister the stand-apart folk band – not afraid to match sensitivity with a high kicking free for all. Time to open the floodgates and get the deck party started. (But beware the Skinny Sisters, folks – those ladies take no prisoners!)
We loved New Orleans! What an amazing town! Can’t wait to come back, hopefully it’ll be really soon
Thanks for the comment x
please come back to New Orleans soon!! we loved yall and cant wait to see your faces again!
Echoing all the other comments. You rocked the house of blues in Orlando! Downloaded the album from iTunes right after you second song, I was hooked. Amazing energy. Let me know when you get back to the DC area! Until then I’ll keep your new album in heavy headphone rotation!
Had the privilege to see you lovely folks in Orlando last night and it completely blew me away! Can’t wait to show all my family back in the UK the picture where I managed to steal a kiss from Lorna AND Dan after the show thanks to my shirt and lucky hat! I’m planning a move to London myself this summer so if you lot ever decide to take a break back home from your relentless touring, the first round’s on me!
Saw you guys last week in Richmond and I must say you all are amazing. You basically upstaged Flogging Molly. I can’t wait to see you guys in concert again someday!
Saw you in Richmond open for Flogging Molly. It was fun hanging out with you at the Skinny Booth afterwards – it was very kind of you to knock off a dollar and let me buy your CD for all the cash I had… My 9yr old son Sasho really appreciates you making out the CD to him and signing it. Like someone else said – for me you did stole the show – I hope you come back to Richmond again – my wife is jealous now and also wants to see you! Tonight we all kicked our feet to the sound of your wonderful music – my 2 yr and 9 yr old sons, my 7 yr old daughter, my wife and I. You and your music are infectious!
Cheers,
Todor.
Stole the show for me in Charlotte!! Loved it! Would love to see you again. Can’t wait to get the CD. Thanks for creating the amazing sound that is uniquely you. Safe travels.
Saw you in Richmond open for Flogging Molly & bought the CD at the show. Please come back around! I love the CD, and would love to see you live again.
WOW!!! Saw you last night at the Fillmore in Charlotte, you were great, love you guys (including you too Lorna). Can’t wait to see you again, please come back soon!!!
I had never heard of Skinny Lister before the Fillmore concert last night. I went for Flogging Molly, but you guys honestly stole the show for me. I loved every second of it. Love the CD as well! We all hope you’ll come play for us again soon.
The show last night at The Fillmore was so beast! I was blown away!! I’ve been listening to some of your music this morning; it’s really awesome. I hope you guys come back soon.
Saw you guys last night in Charlotte at the Fillmore. Awesome performance. Can’t wait until you guys return. Will definately come back to see you. But next time I want a swig of the jug.
Saw you guys at the Fillmore in Silver Spring last night. WOW. I’ve never seen a supporting act so completely win a crowd over like you guys did. I didn’t want your set to end. Cheers! Consider me a new fan!
Saw you guys tonight with Flogging Molly in Silver Spring. I was blown away from the second you started your set! You can definitely count me as a big new fan and I will be spreading the word of your awesomeness!
Saw you guys Friday night in Boston. You had my wife and I hooked immediately with your South Australia cover..and we were more and more impressed as your set rolled On! Great stuff!!! Bought your CD at the show and our 3 and 6 year old have been singing John Kanaka all day. We are officially hooked! Hope you come to New England again soon!
Hey all!
Just wanted to pop by and say that you guys are just incredible! I just saw you the other night with Flogging Molly at the Electric Factory in Philly and you blew me away!!! Most fun I’ve had at a concert in a long time!
Just downloaded Forge & Flagon and I’m in love. Needless to say, you’ve gained a true fan! Next time you roll around the area, I’ll definitely be in the crowd somewhere.
I wanted to drop by and tell you all how you’ve really captured my attention. I’m a fan of music of all sorts, usually hard rock, but there’s a soft spot in my heart for traditional folk music You took me by surprise, I was researching the opening acts for Flogging Molly’s 2013 Green 17 tour, just curious to see what to expect. I immediately fell in love with Forty Pound Wedding, which led to my discovery of many other excellent songs you’ve released. By the time the concert in Cleveland, Ohio came around, I was pretty well versed in your songs. I was really excited to see how well received you were in Cleveland! I’ve seen Flogging Molly there for probably 7 years now and Skinny Lister is by far, my favorite opening band I’ve seen! Come back and I’ll be there to see you all again! My one request is that you bring the Skinny Sisters along next time! I’ve gotta see the full extent of your awesomeness! My wife & I love you guys and want to send a huge thank you also to Lorna, for the Forge & Flagon CD I bought from her on Tuesday. Thank you all for the wonderful music! Keep up the good work, hopefully we’ll meet again soon!
Thanks for your kind words! Hope to see you again some time and hope you enjoy the album
x
Thanks Chelsea! xxx
Hey Hey,
Saw you in Chicago at Aragon on Saturday. Amazing show, better showing than Flogging I think. I just wanted to keep clapping along with you guys.
Can’t wait to get the album tomorrow, keep it up Lister!
Danny
Hey,
I saw you guys in Chicago and I must say my friends and I loved you guys! We were up front the whole time and at the end of the night Michael gave me a hug which might have actually been cooler than the Flogging Molly part of the concert. Very glad to have gotten to hear you guys play.
Love,
Chelsea
Thanks Chuck!
Hi there. Just heard your Forge and Flagon on Radio Caroline TV. Great stuff. Keep it up. Loved it!!
Cheers
Excellent stuff! Good to see my ex-squeeze box sounding so good, in Max’s hands.
Yes please! Mail to theband@skinnylister.com or post them on our facebook wall. Thanks so much Mike! x
Terrific at ‘homegrown’ at The Met – some photos available for you if you want to mail……
Glad we could help make you better! We’ll hopefully be in France next year, it’s definitely in the plan. Keep your eye on the site for gig dates.
Big love,
All Skinnies,
xxxx
Hi !
A few months ago I had an accident of bike. I never thought I could re-walk correctly.
But I run a race tomorrow.
All this to say that during my sessions with the physiotherapist, it is Skinny Lister whom I listened to.
You would have to come to celebrate that.
Come in France !
-M
Hi Ya! I was in line with you all for the security check in Portland Oregon airport today. Googled you and WOW now I am fan! Your music is fantastic! Hoping to catch you live sometime! Wishing you all the best!
I saw you guys play at Warped Tour in Ohio at the digitech stage. Your music was a breath of fresh air and I surprisingly loved it. (: Thanks for singing my cd.
Keep on rockin’!
I saw you guys passing by the stage you were playing at Warped Tour in Indiana (was it Tilly’s? I’m not entirely sure where you were.), and I had my friend stop just so we could listen to your last two songs. I thought you guys were absolutely brilliant, and I even bought your CD with the last of my money. I hope you go far. (:
Yes, I’m from Hastings. Went to the Grove School for GCSE’s and A Levels then scooted to London to do Music in Greenwich. My family still lives down Bexhill way which is why we often do gigs down South. Hope to see you Sunday!
Sam
Hey guys,
Looking forward to seeing you all for the Jack in the Green celebrations in a week or so, I will definitely be dancing with a face full of pain, flowers in my hair and a pint in hand in the Stag.
Not sure if I just made this up (for some strange reason) but is it true there is a fellow Hastonion(?) in the band?
Love Alex x
Hi Doug,
Course, that sounds like a plan! We’ll probably head straight to the bar so we’ll see you in there. Let us know when you’re close. Facebook is best to catch us on.
Cheers,
Mule and Lorna x
Hey guys
I’m heading over to aspen for a weekend from breckenridge when your playing at belly up. Well looking forward to it. As fellow englishmen I think its a must we meet up and swap bestival war stories over a few beers in the heart of the mountains.
give us a shout if you fancy it
Doug
Hi guys!
Huuuuuge fan of yours but never had the priveledge to see you as I have been away from the UK for a few years and now im skint as skint can be! I see that you are playing at Bestival but because I spend too much money on yummy packet noodles to keep me alive is there anyway you can add me and another equally as poor friend on the guestlist?
I know its cheeky but its hard being a hippy!
Thank youuuuu
Katy
Hi Lads, it was great to see you play at Kyteler’s Inn in Kilkenny, and great to meet you all, helping with the P.A. wasn’t work at all on this occasion simply a musical treat.
I hope we can go in the studio for a recording session when you are back in Kilkenny, it would be my pleasure. I am still smiling from the positive vibe your music and performance emanates.
Good luck with everything, I still have to get the photos off my camera – then I will send them on (if they’re any good)
Cheers
Mick Jones
Hey guys,
Caught your gig at the Lexington, London on the 12th of April. Me and the lady really enjoyed it. You’ve got a really great sound, loving the squeeze box and double bass… you should have played on for a bit longer! But alas, the foot stomping was scuppered by the advance of the popular act…pah!
Nay bother! We hope to see you again soon and and look forward to more morsels of shanty goodness! Received the recordings in the post today as well, straight to the stereo for a good ol’ evening shindig.
Much obliged and a tip of the hat to ye! All the best!
Hi Graham,
Great to hear from you. We’ve certainly had a busy summer of diddlin, drinkin and dancin. It’d be wonderful to come over to Vermont and play some shows over there with you guys. In the nearer future I do hope to see you over the festive period for a few tunes. We’re recording an album up in North Wales from around the 10th to the 22nd December but me and Lorna’ll be back in Frolesworth for Christmas.
Cheers,
Max
Hi Max and Lorna,
Greetings from Gypsy Reel stateside. George and Alice sent us a link to your excellent website. It looks like you had a fun filled summer and we love the sound of your band. Let us know if you plan to come anywhere near Vermont and we can help you get some gigs and/or do some gigs together. I’ll also be in Leics. just before Christmas and hope to get together with your folks. If you are around lets get together for a drink and a jam!
Cheers
Graham