MUSICIANS
 MARTIN WILDIG
Martin learnt the Violin at school. He got to Grade 6 and then put it back in it's case in order to explore other interests. He didn't pick it up again for another 11 years when Phil Preen twisted his arm and talked him into going along to a Folk Club that he'd started going to.
It was at a Folk Club shortly afterwards that he got invited, along with Phil, to join Ceilidh Band "The Acme Dance Company", which Edward Reeve was forming, as Fiddler and he became fascinated by the Melodeon that Edward played. He managed to acquire one of these amazing instruments and after a few starter lessons from Edward, started to get the hang of it ...and never looked back!
He got introduced to playing for Morris Dancing when he was invited to join Anstey Royale Chalfont North West Morris Side, firstly on Fiddle and later as Band Leader on Melodeon. He also joined Hinckley Bullockers Molly Dancers for their Annual drunken tour of Sharnford, Stoney Stanton and Sapcote.
"The Acme Dance Company" eventually split up and Phil and Martin went on to co-found "The Bang on the Wall Band".
Around this time, Martin met John McDonald in a Pub Folk Session and was asked if he'd like to join the "Moonshine Ceilidh Band" where he met Neil Cadwallader and Michael Scrivens. As well as playing for Ceildihs, the four of them formed "Canny Craic" performing Irish and Geordie songs and tunes in several local pubs.
Martin is a member of the highly-acclaimed Mortimers Morris from Nottingham and also plays for Sergeant Musgrave's Dance.
As well as playing with "The Bang on the Wall Band", Martin has also guested with "Platform 3", "2 Left Feet", "Wheezle" and "The Navigation Band".
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 PHIL PREEN
Phil Preen is an enthusiastic supporter of all things traditional.
He plays Tin Whistle, Anglo Concertina and various percussion instruments including Bodhran and spoons. Phil received a Xylophone for his 40th birthday, but we've not yet seen him play it out!
Phil is a keen singer and his portfolio of songs varies from the traditional to the humorous.
His first Ceilidh Band experience was with "The Acme Dance Company" and after they dis-banded went on to form "The Bang on the Wall Ceilidh Band" with Martin Wildig.
Phil regularly dances with several Morris Teams. Namely Sergeant Musgrave's Dance, Everards Original Anstey Morris Men and Hinckley Bullockers.
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 NEIL CADWALLADER
First picked up a guitar at the early age of 22 and within 2 years was playing Bass in new-age / jazz noise "Haytap". Then, via pub practice rock outfit "The Trolleydogs" to being asked to join "Trees-a-Crowd" on Mandolin.
I joined on Bass, the band became "Moonshine" and the rest is lost in a fog of drink fuelled forgetfulness that I'd rather forget!
Thereafter, came my first Ceilidh band, born of the hungovered ruins of Moonshine; the "Moonshine Celidh Band" (inspired!) with John McDonald (of whom more later) and a foray into the weird world of western clubs with the notorious "Dawson Brothers" (New Country).
Then played guitar and sang in a duo with aforementioned John McDonald on drum and singing, Michael Scrivens on Melodeon & Martin (if you give me a solo on this I'll play Colonel Bogie) Wildig on Fiddle. Martin went on to co-found "The Bang on the Wall Band", a dazzling spectacle of loud shirts, and I joined, first on Guitar, then on Bass.
Apart from a few years with "The Longhorns" a 'roots-rocking swampy Cajun feast of Americana' with Dawson Smith again, thats it for now folks!
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 COLIN KEEFE
I began playing guitar at the age of 14,
inspired by the sounds that my older
brother was producing on his cheap
acoustic.
After four years of thrashing around
and getting nowhere fast, I joined a
local funk/pop band, playing our own
material in the Chipping Sodbury area.
In 1984/5 I began repairing and
making guitars, with the help of a
book and a local course run by the
Kincade brothers in Bristol. This led to
a place on the guitar making course
at the London College of Furniture (
now the London Guild Hall).
Between 1987 and 1991, I studied
guitar making and all its related
subjects including guitar playing, a
small amount of theory and a large
amount of acoustics. Whilst at college
I tried my hand at busking (very
frightening!!) and also started
developing an interest in writing songs
and tunes (with the help of a fellow
student, Richard Ford, and his
recording equipment).
After leaving college I moved to
Loughborough and joined a rock
band. Unfortunately, as there were
already two guitarists in the band, I
became the vocalist.
In 1994, I started my own business,
making and repairing guitars and
other stringed instruments. Over the
course of the last thirteen years I
have made some good friends and
met some interesting customers. I've
had lessons, on and off, from Mick
Staniforth, a wonderful all-rounder,
Tony Sutherland, a very good
blues/rock guitarist, Pat Sprakes, a
great jazz guitarist and John Buckley,
a tasteful acoustic guitarist.
In 2000, I started playing guitar with
the Bang on the Wall Band, a great
bunch of individuals. I enjoy playing in
the band as a social aspect as well as
the musical side.
Over the last 10 years, I've made
several appearances in different folk
clubs and events, both as a solo artist
and with the help of other musicians. I
continue to try and write my own
material, both tunes for the ceildh
band and songs.
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 JOHN BUCKLEY
I started learning Classical Guitar at the age of 10 and was progressing fine till the age of 13 when I turned to Electric Guitar and began playing the Working Men's clubs around the Midlands.
I did this for the next 10 years or so until the next big turning point, which was hearing Adrian Legg on Radio Derby, and once again I was off on that lovely voyage of discovery, searching out all those great Acoustic Guitarists I'd missed out on.
In the meantime, I have played theatre gigs in the orchestra pit, which I loved, and worked demonstrating guitars, but all the time at home I'd be picking up my acoustic.
I now play various solo gigs, accompany some great singers, dep in various bands and enjoy my music more than ever.
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