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ChrisCooperBand
They began playing as a group in 2011 after Darryl Ebbatson and Chris Cooper released Chris’s first studio album ‘Harbour’ at the end of the previous year and the accompanying tour with Simon Barley adding to the sound on keyboards received good responses from several radio and media outlets including BBC Radio Humberside, BBC Introducing, Kawshaw Radio and St. Heliers Music Crowns London.
Having covered most of the UK in 2010/11 the band returned to their hometown to begin work on their follow-up album ‘Kings of Contradiction’ which would see them expand the sound and as a result, add new members, Gav McArthur, Jack Spence and later, Phill Vernon to the touring line-up.
The addition of new blood and the evolution of the band sound brought with it interesting developments as the guys continue to play melodic folk rock but mixing in elements of the harder Indie-influenced driving chords and adding a pinch of Americana to the pot. A wide array of influences give opportunities to explore musical directions and not be limited to genre specifics, making them sound like no other British band around now.
Receiving praise for their efforts wherever they play, the band have appeared far and wide including Sheffield City Hall, Tramlines Festival , ‘Sheftival’, Doncaster Live, C-Fab Festival, Humber Street Festival, Trinity Festival, The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe and Oscars Bar, Hull.
In support of their album ‘Kings of Contradiction’ the band completed a tour including headlining the Country Stage at the eclectic C-Fab Festival in May 2014, several dates in France as well as other dates in Driffield, Peterborough and Grimsthorpe Festival in Bourne, Lincolnshire.
The band took a break from touring in 2015 to work on material for a new album but still found time for a few live dates including a set at Sheffield City Hall as part of the prestigious Tramlines event and a few acoustic sets featuring the core duo of Chris Cooper and Darryl Ebbatson.
With a sets worth of brand new songs in the bag the band played some low-key acoustic gigs including the ‘Northern Sky’ acoustic festival on the bill with Richard Hawley in September and support for Andy White in December 2016 to introduce these new tracks before a more extensive tour throughout 2017 with the addition of Chris Logan on loan from Ramble Gamble on double bass to coincide with the release of their new album ‘The Glorious Sins’ in Feb 2019.
A new single ’13’ was dropped on an unsuspecting audience at the beginning of June and this track from the forthcoming album ‘The Glorious Sins’ is available as a free download from our shop!
ChrisCooperBand also played the wonderful Festival8 for the 3rd time this year as they once again performed on the Main Stage, this time on the Saturday afternoon. With a wonderful time at Scunthorpe Arts Festival and a magnificent appearance at Folk Night Live in early August, 2018 turned out quite nice again!
2019 was even better, with appearances at the legendary Wroot Rocks, A Perfect Day at Cabourne Parva and Party In The Park supporting Toploader to name just a few!
An EP ‘Smallcog Sessions’ was released and is also available to buy in our Shop and includes live versions of 2 songs from the new album ‘The Glorious Sins’ as well as a previously unreleased track ‘Lover’s Scorn’ and a new version of an old live favourite ‘Got It All’
The band concluded early 2020 as part of the collective known as ‘Folk Night Live’ which includes fellow SmallCogMUSIC artists Ramble Gamble and Momma’s Days Are Done. The tour included dates in Sheffield, Doncaster, Leeds and Newcastle before prematurely ending as did everything else!
In the Lockdown year the band kept busy making videos of covers recorded as part of the Folk Night Live Song Challenge and making new unplugged versions of as many of their songs as they can!! You can see those on our video page!
Due to Chris Logan returning fulltime to Ramble Gamble (and we thank him for the past 4 years!) the band welcome their newest members Ben Hughes on bass and Josh Grinell on drums as the band have gone electric again!!
The latest album ‘Kenopsia’ which was made during the lockdown over many months with the trio lineup of Chris C, Darryl and Chris L is available as a download in our shop!
The fantastic ‘Rockin’ the Bowl’ series of gigs resulted in the band playing at The County Music Bar in Chesterfield and also The Church in Sheffield and following on from the reception they received, the band were asked to play at the Steel Paws Festival which took place at the Corporation in Sheffield in October 2022! This appearance resulted in the band being asked to headline the Santa Paws event which took place at The Church House Sheffield in December with more appearances there to follow!
The band supported the awesome Sons of Liberty at the legendary Leopard in Doncaster and played the Heaven and Hell Fest 2023 in April in Rotherham and a support gig for an intimate show in Loughborough in March 2023 with Dan Byrne!
A new album featuring the new sound is being prepared with singles as teasers before that, but for a taster check out our live videos in the Video section!
CHRISCOOPERBAND ARE:-
Chris Cooper – Vocals, Guitars
Darryl Ebbatson – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Josh Grinell – Drums
Ben Hughes – Bass Guitar
Click HERE to visit the Shop for ChrisCooperBand music!
“90 minutes of uplifting electric indie/folk and a bucket-load of catchy hook lines and singalong lyrics.”
– Scunthorpe Entertainer
“Aspirational songwriting, a gentle blend of driving chords and heartfelt, woeful lyrics, reminding us what it really is to live”
– C Fab Festival 2014
“Mixing electric with acoustic instruments and a strong defining drum beat along with the complimentary keyboard to back up to create its indie with a folk twist, the songs are up beat, memorable and a lot of their tunes you just can’t stop singing in your head.”
– Backseat Mafia Magazine
“Great band, cant wait to have them back on the show”
– The Friday Show, Estuary TV
“A band to watch out for in the coming year…”
– James Hoggarth BBC Radio
“We love this band, well produced and well played. Keep it up guys…”
– Alan Raw BBC Radio
“We love this track, awesome stuff from a promising northern band…”
– Kawshaw Radio Manchester
“melodic, catchy, fun, listen…”
– Music Crowns
“Fresh, fun and catchy…”
– Scunthorpe Telegraph.
“Proving original music still has a home in Lincolnshire…”
– Flatrabbitmusic