Forest (band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , England |
| Products | Psychedelic folk music |
Forest emerged as a trio from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, in 1966, comprising brothers Martin and Adrian Welham alongside their schoolmate Dez Allenby. Initially, their performances consisted of unaccompanied traditional folk vocals reminiscent of groups like The Watersons and The Young Tradition. Over time, they became influential figures within the 1960s underground acoustic psychedelic and acid-folk movement, creating music that conjured images of Britain's ancient woodlands through a variety of acoustic instruments.
History
The band was first known as The Foresters of Walesby, focusing on vocal harmonies without instrumental backing while playing in clubs around Lincolnshire. Upon moving to Birmingham in 1968, they abbreviated their name to Forest and adopted the psychedelic and acid folk styles inspired by the Incredible String Band. They received notable endorsement from DJ John Peel and recorded multiple sessions for BBC Radio 1.
In 1969, Forest secured a contract with Blackhill Enterprises and became one of the pioneering artists signed to EMI's progressive Harvest Records label. Their debut release was the single "Searching for Shadows," which preceded their self-titled album. This record showcased medieval acoustic instruments, intricate harmonies, and lyrics steeped in pastoral imagery.
Their follow-up album in 1970, Full Circle, broadened their musical scope by incorporating darker lyrical themes and exploring varied genres such as neo-classical ("Graveyard") and baroque ("Midnight Hanging of a Runaway Serf"). The album's opener, "Hawk The Hawker," featured a country influence through Gordon Huntley’s steel guitar session work, while "Famine Song" revisited their foundational three-part vocal harmonies. Both albums were accompanied by evocative gatefold artwork designed by Joan Melville.
After Dez Allenby left the group in 1971, the Welham brothers expanded their live lineup by adding Dave Panton (viola, oboe, saxophone) and Dave Stubbs (bass). Forest’s final significant performance took place at the 1971 Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands. Subsequently, they completed their last BBC recordings before disbanding.
The track "A Glade Somewhere" was featured on the 1970 Harvest Records compilation Picnic - A Breath of Fresh Air. Additionally, "Graveyard" appeared on the 2004 Castle Records acid-folk anthology Gather in the Mushrooms, and "Fading Light" was included in Albion Records’ 2006 collection titled Strange Folk.
Legacy
Forest’s sophomore album, Full Circle, earned a place on The Guardian's list of 1000 albums to hear before you die.
Martin Welham currently forms one half of the psych-folk duo The Story, collaborating with his son Tom.
Dez Allenby remains active as a musician performing throughout East Yorkshire and other locations.
Discography
Albums
- Forest (1969)
- Full Circle (1970)
Singles
- "Searching for Shadows" / "Mirror of Life" (1969)
See also
External links
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- 1966 establishments in England
- 1972 disestablishments in England
- English folk musical groups
- Grimsby
- Harvest Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1966
- Musical groups disestablished in 1972
- Musical groups from Birmingham, West Midlands
- Music in Lincolnshire
- English musical trios
- Psychedelic folk groups