The Destroyers at The Glee

A collection of rogues and misfits surfing a tidal wave of horns, fiddles and guitars! Rapidly exploding from the ‘Balkan Brass’ genre they are an anarchic orchestra of blazing passion and breath taking originality. So enter the big top and be immersed in the winding world of the hurdy-gurdy, the sonorous land of the tuba and the exotic realm of the duduk. Be ready to be engulfed by a wall of mesmerizing virtuosity and a whirlwind of frenzied dancing!

The Destroyers are – Leighton Hargreaves – fiddle, Sam Wooster – trumpet, Aaron Diaz – trumpet, Rob Spalton –trumpet, Rich Shrewsbury – trombone, Mark Davis – tuba. Gaz Jones – clarinet, Max Gittings – flutes and whistles and bagpipes, Dave Adams – accordion/vocals, Jamie Fekete – acoustic guitar, Dan Wilkins – electric guitar, Nick Jurd – bass guitar, Tim Bowes – drums. Their declared influences are – Boban Markovic, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Taraf de Haidouks, Andy Statman, Dave Tarras, The Bothy Band, Frank Zappa, Tom and Jerry.

The Destroyer’s turbo-MegaFolk-thrash-punk-pop-poetry-fancydress’orama was wildly expressed with the release of their Vortex ep, which captures and converts their live energy. The title track Vortex Cannon is a groove-laden anthem. iSpy is a 21st Century moral fable on the dangers of government internet surveillance, shot through with upbeat carnivalesque madness. The ep follows their two acclaimed albums – Out of Babel and Hole in the Universe. Celebrating their tenth year together The Destroyers have developed a unique show that combines madcap energy and immense musical virtuosity that has taken them to Glastonbury Festival and also seen them receive support from Sky Arts and various BBC shows.