Skinny Lister are not your average, modern day, gentrified English folk group. Fronted by Dan Heptinstall and Lorna Thomas; a vocalist with a lusty cackle and flirtatious presence, the London based five-piece hail from across England. Borrowing the nickname from the Lister family, pioneers in the use of anesthetic, the band have grown naturally and organically over the past two years. Yorkshire born songwriter Heptinst
all, Lornaīs older brother Max, and long-time shanty singer Sam `Muleī Brace, met some time ago at a folk club in Londonīs Greenwich area. The arrival of Hawaiian bassist Michael Camino and the naturally exuberant Lorna lifted them into another realm.

The groupīs folk roots go back to Leicester where Lorna and melodeon playing Max spent much of their youth at local folk clubs, hanging out under the stairs as the traditional sound filled the air. When Lorna reconnected with Max and Dan in London she found their interest in the local Thameside folk scene had blossomed to provide an exciting outlet for her newly finessed singing and ukulele skills.
"As soon as they put the diddles, polkas and jigs in there, there was no holding me back," she laughs.
"We never sat down again," explains Dan logically.

The folk fever proved infectious and irresistible; "For years on the first weekend after Plough Monday every year, my dad has gone to sing songs and get legless with the local Molly Dancers. I disowned him at the time but now, of course, I join him!" notes Lorna.
"We all do." Chimes Dan.
"The idea of a whole pub belting out a good tune, itīs what pubs are for," sighs Lorna.

In an era when singing a song in a pub can get you thrown out for rowdiness, Skinny Lister - not to mention the Skinny Sisters - are a joyful reassertion of community principles.
"If you can capture something like that in a gig, people are going to go away feeling part of something bigger rather than just standing around with a beer," Lorna reasons.
"We arenīt taking the piss, itīs a serious primal thing. You donīt need to have been a sailor to appreciate a sea shanty." insists Dan.

The debut album unfurls Skinny Listerīs charms in detail. Up tempo carouser John Kanaka, a trade sea shanty dating from Muleīs early Greenwich days, and stomping celebrations Trawler Man and Forty Pound Wedding; (a song written by Party George - Lorna and Maxīs father - which they reinvent with characteristic verve) are winningly contrasted with the reflective coming of age waltz Seventeen Summers, the lovely nature appreciating Peregrine Fly and the skinny-dipping frolics of Colours.

Skinny Lister the stand-apart folk band - not afraid to match sensitivity with a high kicking free for all. Time to open the floodgates and get the deck party started. (But beware the Skinny Sisters, folks - those ladies take no prisoners!)
Band interests
Drinking, Dancing, Playing Music, Hi-jinx