Sneaks Noise

Original formation (1965) was Jon McIntosh, Ted Crum, Jane Parks and Giles Poole.

Reformed around 1970 comprising Jon McIntosh (Double Bass), Ian Wall (Vocals), George Van Ristell (Guitar, Banjo and vocals) and Ian Elson (fiddle, viola, mandolin and tenor banjo).

Sneak's Noise back after 20-year gap; WHAT'S ON: Folk. 2005

by PETE WILLOW

MEMBERS of local legends Sneak's Noise are rolling back the years this weekend and lining up for a night of nostalgia in Brinklow.

The band's name goes back to Shakespeare when servants at the Boar's Head in London's Eastcheap called for Sneak's Noise to entertain Falstaff and his cronies.

The band's founder members, Ted Crum and John "Tool" McIntosh, started playing traditional English songs in 1966.

One of their memorable early gigs was in the city's Locarno Ballroom where they performed a song about the Aberfan Disaster at a fundraising event.

Tool now plays in electric bass folk-rock ceilidh band Peeping Tom, but he became the lynchpin of Sneak's Noise as it went through line-up changes in the 70s.

The band was instantly recognisable with Tool's double bass complete with macabre human skull perched on the tuning pegs.

With Graham Bradshaw on vocals and guitar and George Van Ristell on banjo and mandolin, Sneak's Noise were residents at Logfire Folk Club in Leamington.

In 1971, they formed Kenilworth Folk Club, which met in the Virgins and Castle before moving to the Burnt Post in Coventry.

The trio will play its first gig in nearly 20 years at Brinklow's Wurzel Bush Folk Club tomorrow when Ted Crum also makes a guest appearance.

Tool has borrowed a double bass for the occasion, although the skull has long gone.

The concert opens a new season of monthly big-name events now taking place on Saturday nights at the club's venue, the British Legion, Heath Lane.

The music starts at 8.15pm with resident duo Clive Ryder and Maggie Coleman.

n Tickets from 01788 832021.

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Mary Elson - wife of Ian Elson has sent some action photographs by photographer Dave Birch which I am now adding to this post -