NEW Kendal band The Hey Down Treaders have taken the local scene by storm with their debut appearances this year.

Although the five members of the band are well seasoned musicians, having played variously with Van Morrison, The Undertones, Phil Coulter, Righteous Bees, Paul Brady, Evelyn Glennie, Donovan and Handbrake Shirley to name but a few, the band has a distinctive fresh sound.

They got together in spring this year through a mutual love of lively roots music and previous meetings on the local music scene.

The line-up consists of Wayne Scurrah (vocals and guitar), Paddy Rogan (vocals and banjo), Colin Blakey (piano, flute, whistle), Beak Davison (double bass) and Kevin Sharkey (drums).

The music is rootsy, funky, bluesy and soulful with a Celtic twist - great songs delivered by great singers, underpinned by strong grooves from double bass and drumkit, and augmented by banjo, acoustic guitar, keyboards, percussion and flutes.

Said Wayne: “Some members have played together in local bands in the past including Uncle Carbunkle, Indian Postal Service and Scrogans Run - but this a fresh and exciting project for us, combining a variety of musical styles- funk, blues and folk to name a few.

“All of us are seasoned musicians bringing an individual flavour to the mix- Colin has played with the likes of The Waterboys and Van Morrison, whilst Kevin has drummed with the Undertones and Sound Assembly amongst many others in the past.

“However this is the present and there is a big buzz about what we are doing live and the music we are writing together.”

The band will be playing a unique show on Friday October 2 at the Roundabout Pop Up Theatre - a geodesic dome which will be set up at Abbot Hall by the river.

Wayne said: “We will be recording this winter and preparing for next summer's festival season. It's music you can dance to, get lost in and relate to.

“It's all about communication and atmosphere, and our gig in the Roundabout Theatre will show this at its intimate best, with the audience encircling us 360 degrees.”

Tickets are available through the Brewery Arts Centre - box office, website or phone.