Keshco
History
They've
been around. And about.
Andrew Brain and Robert Follen have
been playing and writing together almost since they first met at school
in 1994. Luke Sample bided his time until 2001
before meeting Andrew and Robert in Leicester. Today they
run about on stage for your general amusement. But what of the
cost? I mean, what of the history?
Old Keshcology
Given the scarcity of official
live appearances, you would be forgiven for thinking that Keshco were a
mere "here today, gone tomorrow" combo, rather similar in stature to
John Nott though not quite as short-sighted. In fact, the first known
sightings of the unit were in late 1994 under various aliases. Through
1995-96 the band went through a period of intense and colourful
fertility during which were ejaculated many golden showers of
tunefulness from the humble origins of a small grey room with a smelly
detuned piano. Most of these recordings still exist on the blackened
market.
Thatcher's Children... Major's Teenagers
From late '96 to '98 initial attempts were made to convert from the
freeform, lo-fi experimental sounds into a more structured and dare I
say, "traditional" unit. No I don't. Never mind. This was the
self-christened "boring" phase and is dealt with in great detail by
renowned Keshco scholar, Adrian Darvell, in his encyclopaedic tome,
"Welcome To Their Corner Stop". It is advisable that you retain your
receipt in case of dissatisfaction. At this stage, recording was still
limited to various stereo tape recorders and a Goodmans Boogie Box
machine.
How Do You Manage To Be So Unloved By Everyone?
1999 saw a year-long hiatus whilst Andrew sought fame as one half of
acoustic/ambient duo Katie + Andy, who made the Spring their own with
folk clubs and busking. Some of K+A's best work is hidden on unmarked
cassettes, waiting to be found and released into the community. During
this phase, Robert and Gareth were doing a lot of art.
Spring 2000 saw the release of "Earlobe
Holistics (Part N)", a 60-minute cassette that made a virtue of its own
messiness. The songs, chants and snippets within (some dating back to
1995) were spliced together to create a merciless disembowelling of the
"stream-of-consciousness" technique. Simultaneously though, a new
four-piece Keshco unit were convening again and a pair of gigs
followed. November 2000 brought the release of a CD, "The Seeds Of
Wom", showcasing Andrew's acoustic songwriting, Robert Wyatt-style
vocalisms, and general social concerns. It's still available, you know.
And if you ask nicely, surely you can get it without paying. Can't you?
It's Still My Perfumed Garden
Through 2001 Andrew was recording songs and playing with Dom Fox,
better known to the world as w/trem, with a brace of folk club gigs.
Robert had also bought a 4-track and was busy filling tapes. At the end
of the year Keshco mutated into the slightly more sensible Bleak House
for a run of Leicester-bound performances. In early 2002, the new
Keshco album "Saplings Of Sop" was released in complete silence. It's
still the fifth-best kept secret on the Web. Despite this, it features
some cracking tracks from both the 4-track and the wondrous Buzz
program, with lyrics again varying from social commentary to absurdist
humour.
Doing the Climate Dance
By the start of 2005, Keshco had a new album, "Softened Fingers", a
collection that veered between synthpop and folk. Realising the need to
move with the times, Robert and Andrew started to use electronic
backing tracks to augment their sound on stage. This had the pleasant
side-effect of freeing the boys up for visual humour and general
farting around, while also giving a better account of their
compositions. Keshco had lightened up. Audiences seemed to
approve. Luke joined in the fun and, in 2007, things started to
get more active...
With a huge bank of material at their disposal, latest Keshco projects
include the comedy films of Johnny Cocktail, and a pair of forthcoming
albums which will be released as soon as enough people have got the
last one. Also they're chomping at the bit for gigs, more gigs, good
gigs, and would like to meet all of you. Right now. I mean, what are we
doing standing outside, the living room's lovely and warm you know.
Anyone for doogies?
John Nott is unavailable for comment
Article last updated: 19 February 2008
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