Ever since the Whappers' 4^th singularly stimulating recorded artifact (2005's Pack of Jokers) this mighty beast has mutated some: a fiddle player has come and gone, and now by the time is comes round to recording again, the original twin-melodeon line concept has returned (now in the shape of Saul Rose and Simon Care) while the brass section has been beefed up by adding a trombone (Joe Fowler). But lawdy, tho' this potentially unwieldy now-decet might invite a close head count with Bellowhead, it leaves the Whappers sounding more like dance-hall rude-boys than Weimar theatre-cabaret. Whatever, there's still no other ceilidh band quite like Whapweasel, not least since their music can equally engage the feet (body) and the ears (mind).

With a thrusting tighness of attack that's almost obscene (careful with that axe Rick!), they weave their carpet in bright primary colours (flying it defiantly in the face of the minimalist grey tone of the digipak), displaying a bewildering ability to change gear and ring the changes almost capriciously yet entirely logically within the space of one composition. And refreshingly, their propensity for suprising and delighting their audience (and, one suspects, themselves too) still comes entirely without any sense of trendy impression-making or point-scoring contrivance. Their cleverly constructed tunes (all penned from within the group, and suitably pithily titled) sound traditional but they're worldy-wise: sucked in and spat out, hoovering up the tiger moths as well as the dog in a brilliant production by My Kemp himself that sweeps all before it.

Typically, the title track's deceptively jauntly squeezebox outing gets cracked up some notches with brass cross-rhythms and chiming afro-guitar; Brighton's funky, snarling jazz-skank riff is overlaid with syncopated minor-key morris; Moustache finally succumbs to the lummy temptation of the Stackridge yomp; Ticket carries the nutty-boys one-step beyond sheer madness; Bus transports its ska with a  floaty prog guitar solo; Sunday steams in on a  grinding soul stomp; Vodka distils 50%-proof dub without 'Russian' it; while Mayday is a jangly pastoral interlude . The Whaps are still as sparky, cosmopolitan and invigorating as ever, and fully resolute (weasel not to be moved, indeed!)

David Kidman, fRoots.

Hey guys!!

The Whaps 5th album 'Colour' has officially been released as of 23rd June, and is available from all good record shops or online at www.whapweasel.com.

love, the Whaps

Hi guys!!!!

The Whaps 5th album 'colour' has arrived and is already flying off the shelves!!!!

To get your copy before everyone else, send us a message and we ll get back to you asap.

Love the Whaps

2008 brings further changes, challenges and advances for England's most heavily populated instrumental band. WHAPWEASEL now have a ten-strong line-up with John Hirst taking over the drum stool vacated by the long-serving Bob Wilson, and new member Joe Fowler adding a rich and rollicking trombone to Stu and Fi's twin sax attack. With Simon Care and Saul Rose on melodeons, this year the Whaps will be performing their new material at festivals all over the UK and launching their long awaited 5th album, 'Colour'.

am trying to attach the latest newsletter, amusing musings from our cumbrian banjo maestro,Mike

Fi

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Whap News All the happenings in the World of Whap			Spring 2007 Issue 8
			Hadaway-Comeback The Whaps are proud to announce the addition of Mr Joe Fowler, trombone player of this parish. The hadaway-comeback reference is what people in the North East call trombones. As many of you will be aware we also now have Saul Rose and Simon Care with us playing dual melodeons so the band now numbers 10. Saul is slightly peeved as he is no longer the tallest member of the band - Joe now has this honour. However Simon, if you pardon the pun, doesn't care - because he is and always will be the smallest.
Village Hall Tour Fabulous fun on our Spring tour round 5 of our delightful village halls up here in the north. Cracking atmospheres, great crowds, wonderful settings and a fantastic reception from sell out crowds - what more could you want? Also terrific preparation for the rest of the year so a big thanks to Skirwith, Frosterley, Cotherstone, Coniston and Hallbankgate village halls and the North Pennines Highlights Tour project. It's a great way to get music and arts generally into the more remote parts of the country and scandalously its under threat as some of the local authorities are preparing to reduce their contribution. If you want to voice your protest send us a email and we'll send it on.
				New Album Yes, just when you thought it was safe to go back to HMV. We're going to be recording our next album early in 2008. We're all very excited about this and are working hard writing new material and preparing it for public consumption throughout this year.
Jumpers for Goalposts The football challenge of the year is on. Never mind the Champions League or the Watkins Steel Horse Troughs Rural Challenge Cup it's the Whaps versus Bellowhead! That's right - we've issued the challenge and it's been accepted by our young friends - we'll teach them to sleep in hotels! We're not quite sure where it will take place but we'll announce the venue and date as soon as we can. Training has started and we're rediscovering all our old skills as well as various muscles. Heather and Fiona are looking particularly effective as joint sweepers - so that's the dressing room sorted out. We're all looking for nicknames to use when we're playing so if you've got any suggestions, let us know. Keep them clean please.
				Competition The winner of the anagram competition is Richie Mater for his anagram of Simon Care which is "Little Person" - well done Richie The challenge this time is to predict the score of the Whaps v Bellowhead football match. Copies of the new album to the winner who will be the first person with the correct score drawn out of the hat
				Stop Press Just when you thought it was safe to put your wallets away - we're pleased to announce that you can now purchase Whap merchandise direct from the website using debit/credit cards and utilising our bespoke shopping cart service. Don't forget, if you try and use the cart on other sites it will stop working and the wheels will automatically clamp
Gigs-Gigs-Gigs-Gigs-Gigs Chippenham - 27th May; Big Session - 17th June; Haydon Bridge - 14th July; Trowbridge - 21st July; Kentwell (Steeleye Spanfest) - 28th July. www.whapweasel.com for further details

The boxes are back!!

Any of you that saw us at Towersey this year will know that we have reintroduced melodeons in the majestic form of Mr Simon Care and Mr Saul Rose - box players of the highest quality and fine gentlemen they are too. We had a fab time at Towersey and we're looking forward to developing the whap sound with new material and a new album.
Bringing Saul and Simon in means that we say goodbye to Tom Fairbairn who leaves us for pastures new and we all wish him well.
We are now planning our appearances for the near future and one of our many aims is to organise some local events here in Northumberland. We will be posting details on the web site which is currently being revamped and will be re-launched soon.

Freezing cold swimming pools, running about in mazes, temporary signposts erected on moorland in deepest Gloucestershire. What on earth is going on? Well, these were just some of the many bizarre events surrounding our foray into the film and cinematic world that was "Whapweasel - The Video". Shot over 2 days in early December the video was produced by Rebecca "Becs", a final year film student and long time Whap fan. With her were a gallant crew, an enthusiastic band of Whaps and some very game extras to provide authenticity. Close security surrounds the content of the film but it is being tipped for "Best Short Film featuring an 8 Piece Folk Rock Band" in the forthcoming Oscars. Thanks to everyone who took part; particularly the dancers at the Sub Rooms, Stroud who performed a special choreographed piece whilst the Whaps mimed, yes mimed! to one of their numbers. Great fun.