UGLY DOG SKIFFLE COMBO

Vocals, DBass, Guitar, Madolin: Wayne Beauchamp 01-18

Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica: James Barr 01-11

Vocals, Washboard: Neil Thomas 01-18

Vocals, Banjo: John Bates 01-07

Vocals, DBass: Clive Perchard 01-05

Banjo: Martin Gilmour 01-03

Vocals, Fiddle: Claire Funnel 03-18

Drums: Steve Gilmour 01-03 (2)

DBass: Baz Mungham 03-04

??: Mark Beckley 2005
Steve Medler (Bass) (2005-210) Adam Kirlew (Drums) (2005-2006)
Roger Reynolds (Washboard, Ukelele & Vocals) Judith Crass (Fiddle) (2007 - 2009)
Jonny Grifiths (Fiddle) (2009 Sol Philcox (Guitar) (2007-2008) Daryl Blyth (Drums)
(2007- Luke 'Bear' (Mandolin) (2014-2018)
Matthew Beauchamp (Mandolin & Guitar) Geoff Cooper (Drums) (2012-2016)
Steve Mason (Acoustic Guitar, Double Bass & Vocals) (2008 - 2016)
Rob John (Banjo) (2015-2018

The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo was formed in 2001 by Perchard and Wayne Beauchamp after the demise of the band Dawg House. Originally intended to be an acoustic band playing for beer in pub corners they were soon joined by Gilmour of The Booze Brothers on snare drum & brushes and this became the band's core. The great fun, no ego, style of the band involved spectators joining in regularly and saw the bookings roll in. Many of the guest musicians ended up on the payroll and the band grew, the gigs got rowdier and the band had to invest in a sound system. Most of the groups personal played in other outfits and the Ugly Dog served as a good-natured retreat from those more intense rehearsals and gigs. Virtually all the band were or had been, vocalists in their respective groups and Ugly Dog would see each subsequent song led by a different vocalist, supported by dubious gang like harmonies (more Hells Angels than Angels). U-Dog classed themselves as skiffle from day one as the term allowed them to get away with playing anything from old gospel to skate punk, all with a hillbilly feel. Along the way, they built up a healthy following that included many passionate about traditional skiffle and the set evolved to feature songs by the likes of Lonnie Donegan and Chas McDevitt, etc. The band recorded 2 full albums, and among their many other recording sessions performed regular live broadcasts on Radio Norfolk and appeared on a host of compilation albums. Amazingly, for a shoddy makeshift band, Ugly Dog had some talented folk who became part of the line-up not least Sol Philcox who went on to become a respected session guitarist in Nashville and John Bates taught first hand by the legendary Garland Shuping. For every signed up band member over the life of Ugly Dog, there was probably another 5 who just guested for the odd gig. There must have been 50 or 60 band members over the life of the band and their backgrounds varied from folk, jazz, country, rock, punk, pop, blues, etc. and the instrumentation varied over time taking in double bass, banjo, ukelele, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, saxophone, squeezebox, trumpet, harmonica, drums, washboard and trombone (oh yeah kazoo, dustbin, suitcase and kettle too!). It was an eclectic event!

Dawg House <>


ALBUMS:
Live at Western Star (Western Star - UK - 2004)
The Great Skifflebilly Train Wreck (Vampirella - Germany - 2007)

COMPILATIONS:
Western Star Rockabillies Vol I (Western Star - UK - 2005)
Speechless Half A Ton Of Rockin' Instrumentals (Western Star - UK - 2014)
Frankfurt Special - A Tribute to the King (Vampirette - Germany - 2007)
Crime Don't Pay... OK? (Western Star - UK - 2011)
Joe Meek Shall Inherit The Earth (Western Star - UK - 2005)
We Never Had It So Good (Western Star - UK - 2011)
Wild Rockin' and Boppin' Vol I (Vampirette - Germany - 2007)