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News & stuff…
17JUL10	BFCH to return to BMF… After a fantastic gig at the BMF Kelso Bikefest last weekend we have been booked to play the BMF Tailend Bikefest at Lincolnshire Showground on Friday 17th September. See you there.
22JUN10	Calling all Radio Stations… Our latest CD 'Shifts & Changes' has now been serviced to all of the BBC Radio stations across the UK and is heading off in the next couple of weeks to many Independants. If you run a station and would like to play our music and have not yet received our new release then please contact us and one will be sent return of post.
10JUN10	BBC Radio Leicester – Celtic Fringe… Many thanks to James McKeefry who played 'Sad Day' from our new album on last night's Celtic Fringe at the BBC.
04JUN10	New T-shirts… New BFCH T-shirts for 2010 are now available in the shop.
02JUN10	BBC Radio Leicester – Celtic Fringe… 'Will You' from our new album was played and a dedication to Mark Robert Loudon who "Loved life, loved Guinness and loved BFCH." Robert died 10th February 2008 aged just 25, a beloved husband, son and brother.
27MAY10	BBC Radio Leicester… Thanks to James & Tina McKeefry Celtic Fringe BBC Radio Leicester which broadcasts across the East Midlands on a Wednesday evening. Celtic Fringe Radio Leicester 104.9FM/DAB Wednesday 26th May 7pm - 9pm. 'Meet The Folks' gets its first airplay with two more tracks to be played in the next two weeks.
22MAY10	Here is the review from R2 RocknReel May/June 2010 for 'Shifts & Changes' **** (4 stars) Formed in 1995 and with five previous albums to their name, Lincolnshire-based six-piece The Band From County Hell have struggled to reach a wider audience, their albums failing to capture the band's live qualities. On the evidence of 'Shifts & Changes', that could be about to change. Self-doubt and a less than focused approach are now things of the past, replaced by a newly found confidence that energises these ten consistently gritty, passionate and appealing original compositions. Throughout, genuine tunes harness a pop immediacy and benefit from seamlessly blended accordion, fiddle, whistle, banjo and guitar while the delightfully understated vocals of Joolz McLelland contrast with the occasional countrified croak of partner Jock. Highlights include the brass-coloured, melody sodden 'Late Lost Souls', a sparkling, autobiographical 'Meet The Folks' with lyrics that evocatively recall, 'We had big black coats and Air Wair shoes, spiked green hair and Exploited tattoos'. There's a thoughtful reflection upon the cult of celebrity in 'Famous', and the poignant piano-and accordion-driven closer, 'Mammy', with its elements of Celtic pop-rock and barroom sing-along may well have created a new genre – Celtic boogie! Steve Caseman RocknReel Magazine May/June 2010 We are also featured this month on the free CD issued with the Mag track No 13 'But It Did'.
02MAY10	New Album… It's been a great week with some grand feedback on the new album. BFCH would like to thank everyone who has emailed about the new CD and favourite songs at the moment seem to be 'Late Lost Souls' and 'Shifts & Changes'. We look forward to seeing the first of a national review in the next issue of Rock & Reel (May/June issue). Albums are available on line and by post. Steve and Joolz would like to thank followers of the band for their support.
02APR10	New Album… Check out our long-awaited new album Shifts & Changes.
22MAR10	YouTube… Have you seen our new video on YouTube?
10MAR10	Mayor's Live Event – Raising money for charities… Our recent gig for The Mayor's charities raised £1200.00. BFCH would like to thank everyone who supported the night.
08JAN10	Single Release… 'But It Did' is the first new song to be released off BFCH's sixth original album due for release later this year. The track was has been re-recorded and was produced by Jim Spencer at Chapel Studios, Alford, Lincolnshire in late 2009. Go to www.myspace.com/bfch and click on 'play' to hear the track.
02JAN10	Gig listing for 2010… The first dates for 2010 have been announced. More dates will be added in the coming weeks.
01JAN10	Happy New Year… Best wishes to all our fans for 2010.
21NOV09	Next Album Release… Thank you to everyone who has contacted us for more information on our forthcoming sixth, original album release. We are pleased to announce that the album is now finished and the hard disk is presently in Manchester where producer Jim Spencer is completing the mixing and mastering. We had a great time at Chapel Studios recording the songs and the best 10 have been chosen for this next album…which we are still debating on a name for…we will update the site as soon as the album is ready for purchase and look forward to working with the marketing side who will be promoting this release worldwide. Happy Christmas everyone, thank you for your support in 2009 and our very best wishes for the New Year.
12AUG09	Our sixth album… Jim Spencer will be taking over the studios at Chapel, Alford at the end of October to work with us again on our sixth original album.
03AUG09	The Assemby, Leamington Spa… Our thanks to Andrew Lock for this review from The Leamington Spa Courier.
22JUN09	Our sixth album… Songs for our sixth album have now been recorded. They have been listened to by a panel of some of the UK's top music producers and producer Jim Spencer is now going to produce two of the songs, 'Meet The Folks' and 'Sad Day', for national release. BFCH are very pleased to be working with Jim who has worked with many of the UK's top recording artists including Oasis, New Order, The Cribs and most recently Johnny Marr & The Charlatans. Jim will be taking over the studios at Chapel, Alford from 1st to 8th August to work with Joolz, Jock and Mark Frost (who is providing backing vocals to the songs) to make the most of these two songs written by BFCH.
18JUN09	Heckington Show – Going Out Live… BBC Radio Lincolnshire will be covering the Concert Marquee during our one hour performance at the show…so time may be 3.00pm or 3.30pm start depending on how the programming all works…BFCH look forward to seeing and hearing you all at the show.
30MAR09	Gig updates… Dates are updated regularly so please keep an eye on the gig list.
30MAR09	SLF gig Bridgewater… Hi to you all, Caught you for the first time at SLF gig Bridgewater. Thought you were full on stonkingly good. Really enjoyed your set. Are you coming back down south anytime soon. I would like to catch a full night. Cheers, Steve [SLF fan]
11MAR09	Woodland Waters Gig 14MAR09… There are only very limited tickets now left for this event so please check with venue before travelling.
23FEB09	Song for Liverpool… BFCH front man Steven McLelland has been asked to compose a song for Liverpool Football team. Jock, The Dawg, Filthy and Mark Frost (backing vocalist) are in the studio today putting down the backing track. Jock is using a song he composed many years ago and has been chanting for some time but wasn't quite sure where he would put it to use… "Here we are, here we go, on and on Liverpool." The song is due to be published and released by Cherry Red Records, London later this year.
19FEB09	Siren 107.3FM… If you switched onto Siren FM this afternoon you may have heard Pru interviewing Jock about the forthcoming SLF tour dates and general history of BFCH. This relatively new radio station (just 3 years old) is doing some interesting work and last week had The Hairy Bikers on the show…well worth tuning in for an alternative to the usual Lincoln radio stations.
27JAN09	EMi visit… Jock's first visit to EMI Music Publishing in Kensington, West London.
10JAN09	Stiff Little Fingers Tour 2009… For the second year running we will be backing Irish Punk Stars Stiff Little Fingers on their 2009 national tour starting at The Canteen, Barrow on Thursday 19th March 2009. "We are really pleased to have this opportunity again, our music was well received last year and it is great that we have got even more dates on the tour for 2009", said Steve (seen here with Jake Burns [SLF] backstage at Rock City, Nottingham on the 2008 tour).
27DEC08	Gig listing for 2009… The first dates for 2009 have been announced. More dates will be added in the coming weeks.
06DEC08	Champions… Thanks to Organ Magazine and Resonance FM for playing 'Champions', here is what they had to say… THE BAND FROM COUNTY HELL – Champions (Cherry Red) You didn't think my first show since Moscow was going to pass without a bit of Redness did you. A small slice of Pogues style whisky-fuelled Irish punk/folk and some classic song writing – We're Champions, We're Champions, We're Ch-a-mpions, We're Champions and we're Manchester United…Come on, it was only a minute of it to mask the colourfully "industrial" language at the start of that Faux Pride track…just be thankful I wasn't on air last week!
30NOV08	Santa Claus… Thank you to all the radio stations that are giving us airplay this month on our BFCH original Xmas track 'Santa Claus'. We have had quite a few emails this week from around the UK and beyond asking exactly what the lyrics are all about so the question was put to the BFCH song writing team of McLelland & McLelland. Says Jock McLelland, 'Well it's simple, it's about a guy who has too much to drink, does a robbery without 'her indoors' finding out and whilst he is sunning himself in the Costa Packet he meets up with Santa Claus who has hit hard times in the credit crunch so he gives him a fiver and a bottle of stout.' – Ummm, this is hard enough to understand in English never mind us answering to our Portuguese listeners. Happy Xmas season everyone and come and join us at The Axe and The Barge for our seasonal Xmas gigs.
16AUG08	Fordham Festival Reviews… Truly a fantastic fest. Music was spot on. Came for Symarip, who did not disappoint. Also loved Dub Cats, Band From County Hell, Them Is Me, Crashed Out, and loads more. Was'nt Neville great!. Special thanks to Angie, Neil and guy who gave my boys and i lift to Ely station, did'nt ask his name. Also security who were superb, even taking me and my boys backstage to meet ska legends Roy Ellis and Monty Naismith. Made my lads w/e. Will almost certainly come again. Anyone that did'nt enjoy it must be pretty sad. Real value for money. In a word GREAT. DAVID WEBSTER [With 2-tone trilby], 14 August 2008, Taunton, Somerset.
24JUL08	Boston's Party in the Park – from the Boston Standard… MY FAMILY and I attended Party in the Park on Saturday and we had a great time – so much so that we returned on the Sunday and again really enjoyed ourselves. I thought the bands were all great, especially The Band from County Hell. The organisation of the event was spot-on and I think Boston should be really proud of the event. I spoke to lots of people who enjoyed themselves. I can't believe anyone can complain about having to pay to get in. We paid £5 for a whole weekend's entertainment. I'd like to say a big thank you and well done to the organisers. RACHEL OWENS
21APR08	Our music continues to travel… It's that time of year when we find out where our albums and music are being played and used and these are just some of the corners of the world where BFCH has reached over this last six months: Canada, Hungary, Wales, Japan, Poland, The Netherlands, USA TV & Cable and Taiwanese (Must) General & Broadcasting. But the usage that really made us chuckle is good auld 'Santa Claus' for UK Aerobics & Keep Fit…off our album 'Do these things happen to you?'…it's a cracker. Thank you to everyone who requests and uses our work.
24MAR08	St Parick's Day…17MAR08 Thank you to NBC News, New York for playing our music as part of the music for the 247th St Pats Celebration in New York City. Our latest album 'Ghosts & Spirits' was played during the parade and broadcast by NBC. The St Pats Parade marched up Fifth Avenue clan by clan, from 44th to 86th streets. Since 1762, it remains faithful to its roots as a true marchers' parade by not allowing floats, automobiles or other commercial aspects onto the parade route itself.
17FEB08	The Pogues We would like to thank Jeremy from The Agency Group for helping to broker a deal to perform with The Pogues in New York this March 08, however, it isn't going to come to fruition this March but followers of the band will be pleased to know that the door is now firmly open for the future of BFCH with The Pogues' management. To everyone who contacted us about the NYC gigs and the many followers who were going to make the trip to NYC we send our thanks. Stiff Little Fingers We have now confirmed three dates with Stiff Little Fingers for March 2008 and tickets are now on sale so we hope to see some of you there.
08JAN08	Gig listings for 2008 2008 looks like you're all in for a real treat. Initial dates have now been announced.
19DEC07	Santa Claus…the next Xmas #1 'Santa Claus' (from our album 'Do These Things Happen To You?) was played on Frank Hennessy's 'Celtic Heartbeat' on BBC Radio Wales on Saturday Night (15DEC07). This link takes you to the show – BBC Radio Wales (listen again no longer available).
14DEC07	The Day My Granny Died… …a new addition on YouTube and we wish all our followers a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year and we hope to see them all at The Jolly Brewer to see-in 2008.
12DEC07	BFCH 2008 We'll be announcing our 2008 gig list sometime in early January after we've sobered up from the New Year festivities!
08DEC07	Reaching out to 38 million Poles! Fans over in Poland have been well impressed by our music and have recently reviewed two of our albums… Do these things happen to you? – review In My Mind – review …you may need to brush up your Polish first! www.folkowa.art.pl
04DEC07	BFCH at The Barge & Bottle… Get yourselves into the Xmas spirit and see the full BFCH lineup from 9pm 'til finish – there will be no support acts on this occasion.
19NOV07	YouTube See videos of some BFCH classics on YouTube.
22OCT07	Grantham Guildhall There are only a few tickets left for our show at The Guildhall on Saturday. Please telephone the Box Office (01476) 406158 and check on availability before travelling.
28AUG07	Wychwood review by Americana UK Despite the rain earlier in the day, Friday evening was warm and sunny (an event which now seems remarkable at time of writing, halfway through the most desperate and inclement summer in living, and beyond that, memory) for the start of the 2007 Wychwood Music festival, the third episode in the continuing tale of this most enjoyable event held at Cheltenham Racecourse in er Cheltenham. Festivals, like albums (in my view anyway!), need to start strongly and, despite not being a household name (well not in our house!) The Band From County Hell did a good job. There is a train of thought (yes ok, mine) which has it that there has been nothing really new in maniacal (meant as a compliment) Celtic music since Shane Macgowan's Pogues took the genre and shook it until it squealed over twenty years ago. And I may be wrong, but my strong suspicion is that The Band From County Hell took their name from that source, as well as a certain spirit, and on this fine evening paid enough homage to carry it off on the main stage fairly splendidly. In the meantime, The Pursuit played in the ever so gloomy Big Ask tent unfortunately, to themselves.
15AUG07	ONE BIG DAY on 18AUG07… BFCH will not be appearing at the event due to the withdrawal of the Outside stage on the insistance of the police..... BFCH, however, are in discussions with the organisers to stage a benefit concert at the Social Club for later in the year. The One Big Day event will be going ahead as planned with the exception of six of the planned bands, but 10 of the scheduled acts will perform in the Club House throughout the day. All other attractions will take place as advertised. Statement by Neil Mackie on behalf of the organising committee.
09AUG07	Following the The Rhythm Festival at Twinwood Arena here are some recent postings from their forum… LITEL – Did anyone else see these guys?? They rammed the other stage, absolutley fab! Definetley deserve a slot on the mian stage next year jim! BATTYBIRD – they were fantastic, def one of my highlights !! Really hope they on again next year LEVELLERS – I thought they were superb, but having followed them for the past 10 or 15 years, am unlikely to say anything else! I thought they coped really well with the impromptu acoustic part of the set when the icecream parlour next door plugged in a duff freezer & blew the trip – Well worth booking them again next year & their performance at Wychwood in June certainly shows they can handle a main stage slot. SHAUN BRENNAN – Amazing weekend me and my nephew had a great time from the friendley amotsphere (thanks to my neibour for the loan of electric pump after my lilo went down friday and other neibour for helping a large drunk man and my chaty 9 year old nephew take our tent down sun night at 1am) my highlights: Band from county hell levelers tiny tin lady prince buster (now my nephews fave) new york fund lisa knapp scaccou(however you spell them) and not havin my wife there to stop me buying a leather hat (looking like the most unprobable cowboy) BEER only dissapointment steve harley (but josh played football and i increaced my alcohol level still feeling the aftermath of). well done jim bring on 2008. LUVLEVS – I agree with Levellers, we saw them at Wychwood they were on the main stage 2 bands before The Levellers. These two bands alone would sell me a ticket to Rhythm fest. Absolutley superb! BFCH were definetley a highlight for all of my family – my little boy even roped me into buying a t shirt! Please book BFCH and levellers again for next year! Maybe even on the same night! BFCH go on main stage just before Levellers set on the friday night again! What a perfect start to the weekend!
07JUL07	More news after the success of The Wychwood Festival… See Joolz and Ben on YouTube and The Big Ask supporting Friends Of The Earth.
14JUN07	Here are some comments that are now coming through about the success of The Wychwood Festival… Highlights for me were…Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3, Band From County Hell, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Camera Obscura, Afro Celts, Sub Giant, Badly Drawn Boy and of course The FLC. Didn't hear any bad music, but the above mentioned were particular highlights. Roll on Wychwood 4. The Irish Group – Wychwood Festival Forums. Does anyone else agree that friday night was the best? A great start with The Band From County Hell who had the youngest performer at Wychwood this year, he was only 16 and looks like the next jon sevink! Excellent! Next was Ian Hunter this took me back to the days when i used to listen to him with his band mott the hoople, this i thoroughly enjoyed! Next were Robin Hitchcock and the Venus 3 who were just superb shame mr stipe didnt make an appearance though!Finally the band of the festival for me, The Levellers pulled out all their hits and were just absolutley superb, people of all ages were dancing away! What a great festival! Bigmac – Wychwood Festival forums. There is also Joolz on the Friends of the Earth 'The Big Ask Review' of Wychwood Festival.
04JUN07	BFCH complete another busy weekend of successful gigs.
28APR07	Irnham Beer Festival has been CANCELLED for 2007 – The Griffin Inn and grounds are for sale due to the owners retiring. BFCH would like to thank everyone who has supported The Irnham Beer Festival over the last 10 years…it was a fine example of how an event can grow from something very small to literally people coming from all over the UK to a tiny hamlet in 'County hell'…year-on-year more and more people have attended, and to be honest, the number of people camping and attending has now outgrown the size and facilities at the venue. BFCH would like to wish Jim, Majorie and Barry the very best and thank them for some wonderful times and memories of The Irnham Beer Festival – the event that resulted in the BFCH song 'I'm never gonna drink that stuff again' – cheers guys, enjoy your retirement and thank you.
15APR07	BFCH to play the Main Stage on Friday, 1st June at the Wychwood Music Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse. There will be more details announced but bands already confirmed include: • Levellers • Fun Lovin Criminals • Afro Celt Sound System • Rodrigo y Gabriela • Badly Drawn Boy • Ba Cissoko • Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 • Camera Oscura • Shooglenifty • Eliza Carthy • Adajas • Ian Hunter • Camera Obscura • Go Lem System • Ben Taylor • Balkan Beat Box • Kitty Daisy and Lewis • Tobia Froberg • Magic Skool Bus • Zion Train • Tom Hingley • Rory Mcleod • Acoustika Shankar • Transglobal Underground • Aziz Ibrahim • Etran Finatawa More…www.wychwoodfestival.com
05APR07	Spilsby Theatre – Saturday 7th April 2007 Please note there are now just a few seats left for this show so please check with the Box Office 01790 752936 before travelling.
17MAR07	St Patrick's Day This evening 17MAR07 a phone will ring in a tenement flat in Possil Park, Glasgow. At 9.40pm The Band From County Hell will be headlining at The Drill Hall, Lincoln to a full house and the song being sung will be 'TheDay My Granny Died'. Granny McDougall will hear her grandson Jock McLelland playing the song he wrote for her four years ago when she had a massive heart attack. She will hear the music, hear the words and hear the crowd celebrate her life and her love for her grandson…and she will shed a few tears and know that he is thinking of her. People come and people go along life's way but those who bring you up, love you and always support you are never forgotten. Jock McLelland owes his best quality to his Granny…contentment and the ability to appreciate living every day. God Bless Granny McDougall, March 2007. The Band From County Hell.
12MAR07	Woody's only have a few tickets left for our St Pat's gig on 16MAR07 so please telephone and check before travelling. Our St Pat's gig at The Drill Hall on 17MAR07 is now SOLD OUT and only taking names for cancellations so please telephone and check before travelling.
10MAR07	Latest update from our gig at The Rhythm Festival in Bedford: This really is an event not to be missed. Easy to get to now the A421 is finished and what a lineup… Confirmed artists (so far) in alphabetical order: • Alabama 3 • Dr John (USA) • Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel • Hothouse Flowers (Ire) • Seth Lakeman • Levellers • John Mayall & The Blues Breakers (USA) • Prince Buster (Jamaica) • Band From County Hell • The Beat • The Blockheads • Buick 6 • Barry Cryer & Ronnie Golden • Dr Feelgood • Eddie & The Hot Rods • Dean Friedman (USA) • Iain Matthews • The Men They Couldn't Hang • Richie Milton & The Lowdown • John Otway/Wild Willy Barrett Reunion • Dave Pegg/PJ Wright • Terry Reid (USA) • Neville Staple (ex-Specials) • SKAcousticA (Dave Wakeling, Rhoda Daka, Nick Welsh, Jenny Belle Star) • 3 Daft Monkeys • Tiny Tin Lady • The Turns • King Naat Veliov's Original Kokani Orkestra (Macedonia) • Waking The Witch • The Yardbirds • Stan Webb's Chicken Shack Buy Weekend Tickets: Adults £89. More…www.rhythmfestival.net Make sure you keep a watchful eye on our Gig Guide as more details are announced and updated.

The Band From County Hell...still kickin' the arse out of it!