The Tansads
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England |
| Headquarters | Wigan , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Tansads were a band originating from Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, active throughout the 1990s. Their sound fused elements of folk, punk, and indie music, earning them a dedicated fanbase within festival circuits and among the crusty/traveller communities, although they did not attain mainstream commercial recognition. The band's journey was later chronicled in a book authored by ex-member Ed Jones.
History
Established in 1989, The Tansads made their live debut on 26 March 1990 at Players. The lineup prominently featured vocalist Janet Anderton alongside the three Kettle brothers: John, who handled guitar duties and was the main songwriter; Bob, who played mandolin, guitar, and harmonica; and Andrew ("Kek"), who also provided vocals. Lead vocal responsibilities were shared between Anderton and Andrew Kettle, combining distinct clear and gritty vocal tones. Prior to The Tansads, John Kettle had been a guitarist for the Volunteers, while Anderton had collaborated with John and Bob in The Bonny Saloons. The band's name was inspired by a brand of children's pushchairs. Musically, they merged folk, punk, and indie influences with lyrical themes centered on Northern working-class experiences. Media outlets described them as "urban folkies" and referred to their sound as "anarcho-Celtic post-punk neo-folk seven-strong orchestra."
Within their local scene in Wigan, The Tansads enjoyed success and received support from local group The Verve (known then simply as Verve), later sharing stages with bands such as Pulp, Cast, and Kula Shaker. Their first album, Shandyland, was released in 1991 via an independent label, featuring songs that reflected Northern life narratives.
In 1993, the band issued Up the Shirkers under MusiDisc, a label associated with acts like The Levellers. Their dynamic live performances attracted attention despite recurring changes in personnel; only Anderton and the Kettle brothers remained consistent throughout. For one album period, Guy Keegan from The Railway Children joined as a member.
The Tansads signed with Transatlantic Records in 1994 to produce the album Flock. Following the release of their 1995 live album Drag Down the Moon, they entered a hiatus. They resurfaced in 1998 with a pared-down lineup consisting of Anderton and John Kettle, adopting a more straightforward indie rock style and releasing Reason to Be independently before ultimately disbanding. Although reports surfaced in 2001 about a reunion featuring new vocalist Laura Follin, no new material was subsequently released.
Post-split
After departing the band in 1994, former bassist Ed Jones pursued a career in journalism and authored This is Pop: The Life and Times of a Failed Rock Star, which details his personal experiences within the group and explores internal disputes that impeded their advancement.
John Kettle currently runs Jaraf House Studios where he produces music for emerging local artists. He also collaborates with his brothers and past band members under the name Merry Hell, a project that has produced six albums.
Reunion gigs
Following speculation on social media platforms, The Tansads announced two reunion concerts scheduled for July 2010 at The Citadel in St Helens to commemorate twenty years since their initial live performances; a third show was subsequently added. A total of thirteen former members took part in these events.
Band personnel
| Album | Band Members |
|---|---|
| Shandyland (1991) |
Andrew Kettle – lead vocals Bob Kettle – harmonica, mandolin, guitar John Kettle – guitar Janet Anderton – lead vocals Ed Jones – bass guitar "Cudo" (Paul McKeown) – percussion, backing vocals "Shrub" (David Atherton) – keyboards Dominic Lowe – accordion, trumpet "Bug" (Chris Atherton) – drums |
| Up the Shirkers (1993) |
Andrew Kettle – lead vocals Bob Kettle – harmonica, mandolin, guitar John Kettle – guitar Janet Anderton – lead vocals Ed Jones – bass guitar "Cudo" – percussion, keyboards, backing vocals Dominic Lowe – accordion, trumpet Chris Atherton – drums, programming, backing vocals |
| Flock (1994) |
Andrew Kettle – lead vocals Bob Kettle – harmonica, mandolin, guitar John Kettle – guitar Janet Anderton – lead vocals Ed Jones – bass guitar, backing vocals Lee Goulding – keyboards Guy Keegan – drums, percussion |
| Drag Down the Moon (1995) |
Andrew Kettle – lead vocals Bob Kettle – harmonica, mandolin, guitar John Kettle – guitar Janet Anderton – lead vocals Robbie Ryan – bass guitar, backing vocals Lee Goulding – keyboards Phillip Knight – drums |
| Reason to Be (1998) |
John Kettle – guitar Janet Anderton – lead vocals Robbie Ryan – bass guitar Tim Howard – guitar Andy Jones – drums |
Albums
- Shandyland (1991)
- Up the Shirkers (1993)
- Flock (1994)
- Drag Down the Moon (1995)
- Reason to Be (1998)
Singles
- "Brian Kant" (1992)
- "Up the Revolution" (1993)
- "The English Rover" (1993)
- "Camelot" (1993)
- "Iron Man/A Band on the Rainbow" (1994)
- "A Band on the Rainbow" (1994)
- "I Know I Can (But I Won't)" (1995)
Promotional Releases
- Transatlantic Records sampler (1994) (UK limited to 5000 copies)
- G-Man (1995) (exclusive to France)
- "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" (1995) (demo CD)
Self-released Tapes
Before the release of Shandyland, the group offered four cassette tapes at live shows containing early versions and B-sides, many of which varied considerably from later album versions. The majority of these tracks were gathered in Rough and Ready (The Early Tapes) for their 2010 reunion concerts.
- The Den
- Wayward & Wonderful
- Big Wednesday
- Juvenile