Merry Hell
Friday 20.10 - 21.30

Multi-award winning Merry Hell offer joyful, uplifting folk-rock, with a message for troubled times. Native to the North-West of England, the 8-piece musical charabanc was fuelled from the embers of the much-loved folk-punk band The Tansads, before developing a life and feel all of its own. Their energy and passion are complemented by their love of what they do and desire to share hope and togetherness with as many people as are willing to listen. Through 7 well-received albums and hundreds of gigs, they’ve offered voices of hope and beacons of light to anyone valuing spirit, energy, melody and positive humanity.

John Kettle - Guitar

A truly inspirational songwriter, musician and producer, for so long the driving force behind The Tansads, John found his creative energies once again ignited at their reunion concerts. Having served the musical aspirations of others for so long at his own Jaraf House Studio, MERRY HELL has provided a necessary outlet for his own brand of melodic magic and lyrical wryness which will certainly continue to enrapture audiences. His song ‘We Need Each Other Now’ has travelled around the world and been shared by solo performers and a 1,000 voice choir.

As the man responsible for recording and producing all of Merry Hell’s albums, he has become a sought after producer both within the folk world and beyond – having contributed significantly to two No.1 albums for young indie sensations The Lathums.

Virginia Kettle - Vocals, Acoustic guitar

A well-respected singer-songwriter in her own right before joining Merry Hell with two solo albums under her belt, Virginia adds an essential dimension to the band, both vocally and creatively. Having contributed some of the most distinctive songs to the Merry Hell repertoire, not least the live anthem ‘Bury Me Naked’ which has audiences of all sizes swaying with delight and gay abandon. On record or live, she delivers a perfect pure-toned vocal foil to Andrew’s gravelled delivery, as well as an on-stage chemistry that adds so much to the Merry Hell experience. This wonderfully talented all-round artist also plays acoustic guitar, and, as a prolific writer, also offers solo gigs and her side project Rolling Folk as outlets for her songs in which all human life is observed, examined and celebrated. ‘No Place Like Tomorrow’, her first solo album since joining the band was a critical hit and also hit the dizzy heights of No.1 in the Amazon Folk Charts

Andrew Kettle - Vocals

Possessed of a voice full of character, just as much at home belting out folk/rock anthems as caressing a capella show-stoppers, he has transferred his authentic and charismatic stage presence, developed through four Tansads albums and countless tours, to become a focal point for MERRY HELL. Currently delighting in the vocal and personal interplay with Virginia, he has stamped his rightful mark in the register of distinguished British folk/rock vocalists.

Bob Kettle - Mandolin

A wordsmith of the highest order, along with an onstage presence that encapsulates the energy, joy and spirit that sets this band apart, Bob is in many ways the dynamic, beating heart of MERRY HELL. Besides contributing songs destined to be recognised as classics within and beyond the folk/rock genre, his enthusiasm for making music remains as strong today as it ever did through his four-album career with the Tansads, providing an inspirational presence that is recognised and reflected by MERRY HELL fans wherever they may be. His song ‘Come On, England!’ has been touted as an alternative national anthem and has audiences raising teacups and glasses in tribute and agreement wherever it is played!

Lee Goulding - Keyboards

An excellently artful and technically gifted keyboards player, although, to some degree an, unsung talent within the band. He has contributed music to the soundtracks of popular programmes such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Roswell High and played keyboards on Tansads’ albums ‘Flock’ and ‘Drag Down The Moon’. Lee was welcomed as an integral part of the MERRY HELL machine. The years since his involvement in the old band have seen him develop further, not just as a musician but also as a songwriter, with songs included on each of the band’s albums, ranging from the much loved The Gentle Man, to current live favourite ‘Only Love’ and other offerings are eagerly awaited from this marvellously talented all-round musician – now also developing his banjo skills – watch this space!

Andy Jones - Drums

It was probably inevitable that Andy would end up playing in Merry Hell as he has a long history with several band members. Originally he played in Virginia's first band, Hank and the Wolf, spending a year touring France and Spain in a beat up van, finally returning with little to show but a thousand stories to tell. Several years later he became the final drummer for The Tansads, appearing on the Reason To Be album and touring widely in the UK and France. Since the Tansads finally split and before joining Merry Hell he played with a number of groups around the Chester area, including one called Volunteers but not the same Volunteers that John was a member of. It was during this time that he managed to introduce John to Virgina. The rest, as they say, is history. Other than drumming and dressing as Cap'n Jack Sparrow, Andy's other pastime is getting high, as he is a keen mountaineer.

Simon Swarbrick - Violin

Colin Foster - Bass Guitar

Website:  http://www.merryhell.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerryHellBand