Merrymouth

Merrymouth was a folk-oriented band founded by Ocean Colour Scene^[1] songwriter and vocalist Simon Fowler (guitar/vocals), Dan Sealey (guitar/piano/vocals), Mike McNamara (Bass/Piano/Organ/Guitar/Percussion) and later Adam Barry (piano/organ/accordion/harmonica/vocals).

Merrymouth
Origin	Warwickshire, Worcestershire England
Genres	Folk rock
Instruments	Guitar, Piano, Hammond, Violins, Accordion, Brass, Harmonica
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Navigator Records
Past members	Simon Fowler Dan Sealey Mike McNamara Adam Barry
Website	www.merrymouth.net

History

Merrymouth released their debut album as Simon Fowler's Merrymouth on 26 March 2012. Recorded at Gospel Oak Studio, Warwickshire, they were joined in the studio by award winning folk musicians John McCusker and Andy Cutting.^[2] They toured the album throughout 2012 and 2013, and performed at BBC Radio 2’s CarFest ^[3] for champion of the band Chris Evans, The Mosely Folk Festival,^[4] and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.^[5] Founding Merrymouth bassist/songwriter Mike McNamara introduced Simon to John McCusker and subsequently Simon presented John with the ‘Musician Of The Year’ accolade at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.^[6] They later became close friends, and McCusker appeared on Ocean Colour Scene's A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad ^[7] album in 2005, and joined them on numerous occasions at live shows. Simon subsequently went on to record backing vocals for McCusker's then-wife Kate Rusby's Underneath The Stars album.^[8]

Recent years

Founding member Mike McNamara left to form The Little Ships (with Happy Chichester of The Afghan Whigs and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam) and Merrymouth released their second album, Wenlock Hill, recorded at Rockfield Studios.^[9] A collection of new songs, Wenlock Hill again features McCusker (violin), and includes a special guest appearance from Chas Hodges of Chas and Dave. The album charted at #69 in the UK Official Album Charts.

In 2016 Merrymouth announced that Sealey and Barry would be returning with a new project called Merrymaker.

Discography

• Simon Fowler's Merrymouth (2012)
• Wenlock Hill (2014)

References

1. "Simon Fowler's Merrymouth Ocean Colour Scene". Oceancolourscene.com. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. Paul Condon (30 August 2012). "Blogs - BBC Children in Need - CarFest 2012 - one down, one to go!". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
4. "Moseley Folk Festival – 29th – 31st August 2014 – Moseley Park, Birmingham, UK Simon Fowler's Merrymouth » Moseley Folk Festival - 29th - 31st August 2014 - Moseley Park, Birmingham, UK". Moseleyfolk.co.uk. 3 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
5. "Merrymouth Edinburgh Fringe Festival". Edinburgh Fringe 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.^{[permanent dead link]}
6. "Press Office - Radio 2 Folk Awards 2003". BBC. 10 February 2003. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
7. "Ocean Colour Scene - A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
8. "Music - Review of Kate Rusby - Underneath The Stars". BBC. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
9. "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 18 March 2014.

External links

• Official Merrymouth Website
• The Little Ships Website