The Park Bench Social Club are part of a new generation of  string bands that mix musical genres with abandon (and no little skill). Traditional Celtic fiddle tunes, bluegrass, gypsy jazz, bhangra and old time Americana are all standout influences. Their music is characterised by an amazing energy and is played with a big smile on their faces.

The band met while attending the world-renowned Newcastle University Folk and Traditional Music degree course based at the Sage Gateshead. Coming from different parts of the world all three guys contribute a wide range of influences to the melting pot that is The Park Bench Social Club. The last 12 months has seen the band playing increasing prestigious gigs across the UK wowing audiences wherever they play and gaining many new fans. 


Fiddle player Ross Couper is one of the U.K. folk scene's most sought after musicians who counts Young Shetland Traditional Fiddler of the Year among his personal accolades, he was also winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards (as part of the band Bodega). Ross hails from the Shetland Islands bringing with him a huge range of influences, from the strong Shetland fiddle tradition to Jazz and even country. Ross's astonishing energy and dynamic approach to performing sets him apart from his peers.


Will Lang, one of the best young Bodhran players on the scene, has gained wide spread recognition from being a past All-Britain Champion, All-Ireland Finalist and founder member of the 'BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards' finalists Chillum. In addition to being in high demand on the folk circuit Will has aroused considerable interest from world musicians due to his unique Bhangra Bodhran style and has played with Mercury Music Award winning Nitin Sawhney. Will's unique approach helps create the genre-defying style of the band.

Aidan Curran, on guitar, mandolin and vocals, brings a fascinating grounding in bluegrass and blues to the mix. A founder member of Canadian band The Rock Island Ramblers, he got hooked on the guitar after his Grandpa (pick over the hole boy!) taught him the three chord trick! Aidan has played with “folk royalty” Eliza Carthy  and been a member of a number of bands all with terrific live reputations , it this experience that makes him such a confident and exciting player much in demand for his instrumental virtuosity and amazing voice.

Individually "The Bench" possess excellent reputations but it is together where they become so much more than the sum of their parts. Their energetic and exhilarating performance style is a joy to watch and, as the audience can clearly tell, a joy to perform. Uniquely, the band also manage to capture this vibe on their recordings making the listener feel like they are in the heart of the music.

'From the first note The Park Bench Social Club held the audience spellbound. The skill of these young musicians amazed everyone - from the gentler songs to the foot-stomping jigs and reels, their performance was flawless. The Bench are a fresh new talent with an eclectic mixture of styles ... definitely a band with a great future.'

Sue Finlay - Co-Director, Celts in the Cotswolds

Check out www.myspace.com/theparkbenchsocialclub for other info and maybe some different tunes