Once again, a storming night of music and mayhem at the Greyhound Pub was enjoyed by one and all, not least by us, the Bounty Hounds. The scene was set … twinkly lights, Santa on his sleigh, baubles galore, and a tinsel-tastic backdrop to Shaun’s sparkly drumkit. Your favourite Suffolk folk rock band was packed full of festive cheer, (even Kevin was feeling a bit better), and armed with a bunch of seasonal tunes and old faithfuls ready to be shared.

Flempton Greyhound - December 2008

The evening started out quite sedately with a modest, yet appreciative, crowd. The ladies’ darts team were enjoying a Christmas meal in the restaurant while we serenaded from the bar and doing a damn fine job, if I say so myself. Personally, I was really happy with the fiddle sound, and we got off to a Flying Dutchman’s start with a tight and solid first set.

Our second set saw a slight adjustment to the set list, bringing forward the Bounty Hounds’ Christmas medley, those famously raucous jigs, I Saw Three Ships and In Dulce Jubilo (Good Christian Men Rejoice). We pulled it off loud and clear, and the only shame is that we won’t be able to do it again until next Christmas!

Then the fun really started! Someone suggested we should all make like chickens for the Hen’s March and the silliness just accelerated from then on, never mind the slipped whistle! The a’capella Valpariso Round the Horn brought tears to my eyes - you just couldn’t make it up - except that was exactly what the Hounds seemed to be doing! All I can say is thank goodness for our special guest star, the lovely Gill Bosley, whose guitar on Dark Island and vocal harmonies on Island in the Rain brought a certain sense of decorum back to the proceedings.

The bar was filling up by now, Andy was wearing his special hat and Shaun was on the cusp of getting lucky with the ladies’ darts team, well that is until it all got a bit loud and they retreated back to the restaurant - sorry ’bout that mate - and we were able to bring our set to a stunning climax with Matty Groves, complete with a sly geeetar Christmas carol thrown in to maintain the festive theme, and Against the Run of Play to finish.

Finish? What so soon? I hear you say … of course not silly! We had plenty more up our bountiful sleeves. We chucked in the wicked Fifteen Years from the Levellers, and iced the Bounty Hound’s Christmas trifle with  what else but the best Christmas song (ever!), Fairytale of New York, featuring none other than Gill Bosley once more - not so lovely now huh?? ; )

Fairytale of Flempton - a Christmas love song

So all that now remains is to wish everyone a very happy Christmas from the Bounty Hounds and look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year!

Things are hotting up now for our mega-Christmas gig at the Greyhound Pub, Flempton. Come along this Saturday 20th Dec 2008 to find out what new musical treats the Bounty Hounds have got in store. We’re definitely promised a good crowd and hope our Christmas flavoured set will be enjoyed by all our fans old and new. Watch out for our mystery special guest too - who could it be?? You’ll just have to come along and find out!

Well, folk rockers! It might have been cold and wet outside but the festive atmosphere on Friday at the Cock & Bell Inn, Long Melford couldn’t have been warmer! Literally! The Bounty Hounds arrived early to set up for a return gig at this great pub and the first thing we had to do was turn off all the radiators surrounding us - phew! Once we’d set up all our equipment, including Shaun’s lovely drum kit and our fab new mixing desk, we were ready to folk & roll!

Bounty Hounds at the Cock & Bell Inn, Long Melford, 28th Nov 2008

This, of course, was the single date on our “Arrival of the Local Hero Tour” - meaning Shaun’s first Bounty Hounds gig ever, on his own turf, with plenty of support from his family and friends. In fact, there was a good crowd in altogether, including faithful Darren, roadie & potential chauffeur to the poor afflicted Kevin who looked more like he should be tucked up in bed rather than out gigging - thanks Kev, you did a sterling job and we couldn’t do it without you!

Shaun’s Fan Club

As for Shaun’s debut, we reckon a huge pat on the back and a round of applause is in order! Despite struggling to hear the vocals and fiddle through the monitors, Shaun’s top quality, high energy drumming performance was solid, reliable and a testament to all his hard work. I particularly enjoyed King of the Faeries - but then I always do - and Andy’s unexpected whistle between The Hen’s March and The Four Poster Bed brought a smile to everyone’s face!

Thanks also to Gill, not only for bringing the camera again, but for transporting those lovely audience members as well, and the Morris Men of Little Egypt were well represented too - we do appreciate all this support!

And so to conclude, after a whole load of foot tapping, hand clapping, and even some dancing, we finished the set with a massive encore of Fast Lane Driver, followed quickly by John performing an acoustic Whiskey in the Jar for the rowdy hecklers whose request for this song comes as no surprise.
Shall we include it in our future sets? Maybe we will, maybe we won’t - you’ll just have to wait and see!!