Those loveable rogues from East Dorset “The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show” return with brand new material, namely two tracks “There Ain’t No money in Peace”, and “You’re All I Need”. These are Folk musicians who were the original Punks and Folk music was originally one of the first musical ways to protest, the band are proudly carrying on this tradition. For these recordings they have recruited the incredibly talented Andy “Jack Ratt” from the brilliant “16 String Jack”, guesting in Mandola on both these songs which adds another layer to the carnival party vibe.
The first track “There Ain’t No money in Peace” marries together social conscious lyrics about the dangerous new age we’re facing in the world today, but with unique sounding fairground Folk Country Vibes. Founder member Mark Lyons explains “we’ve tried to “jolly up” the subject matter with a cheeky chappie chimney sweep vibe. Think Dick Van Dyke meets Billy Bragg! We’re not preaching with this song but we do sing it with a very heavy heart, giving plenty of food for thought”. It’s an infectious slice of satirical political observation with a clever hook-laden instrumentation, along with a unforgettable lyric “There’s plenty of dollar in war and horror, but there ain’t no money in Peace”
The second track “You’re All I Need” as Mark Lyons describes “is a modern love song which details a life well lived until the narrator finally meets the love of his life and gets his or hers life and mind together. Not one for the faint hearted and definitely leaning more to our Punk roots than our folk ones”. The song has more than a passing resemblance to the “Department S” track “Is Vic There” and features some experimental sound that shows quite a departure from anything that the band have done before.
Both tracks are released on 28th November on Musical Bear Records.
The band are also celebrating their 10 anniversary by performing their debut album ‘Weeding Out The Wicked’ in full at a gig at St Bartholomew’s Church in Shapwick, Blandford on Saturday 29th November. They have never done this before but it’s an album that all the band are proud of and believe it still holds up today. They promise to throw in some of their other hits to finish off. They are pulling in our revered supplementary band members Olly Hopper-Pay on cello and Andy Jack Ratt on mandola to make things extra special for this celebration.
Tickets can be purchased here.
The Band Features
Mark Lyons – Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Martin Giles – Vocals/Guitar
Steve Wareham – Vocals/Percussion
Seb Hartley – Harmonica
Rob Volwes – Bass
Charlie Waygood – Drums
Aison Jay- Violin
Brad Watt – Banjo
Links
https://www.musicalbearrecords.co.uk/the-two-man-travelling-medicine-show
https://www.facebook.com/TheTwoManTravellingMedicineShow
Article by David Chinery (Chinners)
