Crookshank sprang from the imaginations of five seasoned folk musicians with the desire to Rock Out, in a totally folkish sense.
Traditional tunes from the British Isles, the Celtic lands, Scandinavia and Central Europe fuse in Crookshank's sound, the energy heightened by original compositions by the band's founder, John Peekstok.
Crookshank is sculpting a new sound within the folkrock genre established by groups such as Britain's Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, and Sweden's Folk och Rackare and Hedningarna. Head for Steeleye Span but take a right at Jethro Tull.
John Peekstok, who started the band five years ago, plays cittern and guitar and channels old Bulgarian folk music. Davy Axtell sings folk music better than any man alive, and constantly amuses audiences with his passionate Ian Anderson-like flute playing. He also plays a rockin' 12-string guitar and both kinds of dulcimer.
Beth Kollé plays amazing Irish flute and sings in English, Gaelic, French, Norwegian and Swedish. Sarah Funk adds her soulful Gypsy violin and beautiful vocal harmonies. Pete Glass provides the foundation for Crookshank's sound with his gritty, driving electric bass.
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