Bands & Groups
Over five decades, Pete played with dozens of bands and musical groups — from 1960s rock and roll through folk, ceilidh, morris, and cajun. Here are some of the highlights.
The Fen Five (1963–1966)
Pete's first "proper" band, formed while still at school in Peterborough. The Fen Five played rock and roll at local dances and youth clubs.
Original lineup (1964):
- Pete Shaw — lead guitar
- Brian Parker — drums
- Mike Hale — rhythm guitar
- Richard Hale — vocals
- Dave Everitt — bass
The lineup changed over time. Later members included Alan "Fuzz" Wooley on vocals and Keith Toms on rhythm guitar. They regularly played at the New Inn (now under the St Mary's Street roundabout) for the Gas Board's Social Club.
Claudy (1970s–1980s)
Inspired by the harmonies of the Young Tradition and the Copper Family, Claudy was a harmony singing group that performed traditional songs.
Lineup:
- Terry Warrington — tenor
- Florence Warrington — soprano (French, from the village where Perrier water comes from!)
- Ken Tonge — vocals
- Pete Shaw — bass vocals
They had a regular Sunday night slot at the Bell Inn, Stilton village. The name "Claudy" was chosen in two minutes when Jim Lloyd refused to introduce them by four separate names at a concert.
Dennis Cuddles Starlight Band (1981–1986)
Don't ask how they got the name — there isn't enough space! Formed in 1981 from musicians attached to Peterborough Morris.
Original lineup:
- Pete Shaw — piano, hammered dulcimer & trombone
- Pete Stafford-Honeyball — bodhran
- Colin Turner — melodeon & concertina
- Pete Puxty — melodeon
- Brian Kell — drums
- Ray Warrick — guitar
- George Stevenson — caller
Fun fact: Pete Puxty's melodeon was later the subject of a matrimonial dispute. His wife sliced it in half with a bread knife during an argument: "OK, which half do you want?" They are no longer married.
Pandemonium (1987–1991)
In April 1987, Pete joined the talented Dave Jolly and Ian Clabburn in Pandemonium, a regional ceilidh band. He started on keyboards and later switched to fiddle.
Lineup:
- Ian Clabburn — hammered dulcimer & bagpipes
- Dave Jolly — melodeon & anglo concertina
- Pete Shaw — fiddle & keyboards
- Kate Sayer / Russell Mabbutt — keyboards
The band performed at Broadstairs Folk Week in 1987 and 1988. Pete left in December 1991 after nearly five musically happy years.
Harrison Shaw Cajun Band (1992–1998)
Pete's interest in cajun music from Louisiana had been growing for years. In 1991 he imported an accordion from there, and in late 1992 formed the Harrison Shaw Cajun Band with Chris and Gill Harrison.
Core lineup:
- Chris Harrison — fiddle
- Gill Harrison — string bass & vocals
- Pete Shaw — cajun accordion, fiddle & vocals
- Christine Kell — triangle
- Barry Ford — guitar
The band played all over England and Wales for six years, at festivals, dances and cajun clubs. Their first big gig was Saturday night on the main stage at Ironbridge Blues & Roots Festival (27th June 1993).
"Imagine our delight at arriving to find that the main band on Friday night was Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys from Louisiana — only the best cajun band in the world!"
Triality (2000s)
One of the most enjoyable parts of Broadstairs Folk Week was occasionally playing alto sax behind Charlie Handley's trumpet in the Handley brothers' band, Triality.
Lineup:
- Charlie Handley — trumpet & vocals
- Ted Handley — piano accordion & vocals
- Dave Handley — bass guitar
- Pete Shaw — alto sax (guest)
Hannibal's Heroes / The Hannibal Quartet (2000s–2010s)
A ceilidh band that continued for many years. Pete eventually took over as caller, with Pete Redman joining on melodeon.
Lineup included:
- Sharon Edwards — viola & violin
- Laura Harwood — flute
- Mary Nugent — violin & cello
- Fiona Cowan
- Lesley Prue
- Pete Shaw — cello, guitar, violin & caller
Abandon (Irish Music)
An Irish music band featuring:
- Alan Roberts — fiddle
- Jan Scofield — caller
- Roger Scofield — uilleann pipes & whistles
- Pete Shaw — keyboard
Straw Bear Band (1983–ongoing)
Since about the third year of the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival (1983), Pete acted as lead musician for the ad hoc "Bear Band", which leads the procession around Whittlesey town each January.
Musicians over the years included:
- Dave Martin — bass drum
- Wocko Watkins — melodeon
- Pete Shaw — melodeon
- Pete Mac — melodeon
- Simon Bilsborough — piano accordion
- Sandra Green — piano accordion
- Dave Hunt — melodeon & caller
Other Bands & Collaborations
Pete also played with many other groups over the years:
- Triolet Cajun (1996-97) — with Saskia Tomkins and Pete Gazey
- Cajun Catfish (1999) — cajun with a rockier sound
- Bograt — a noisy ceilidh band
- Elusive Black Dog — a very rocky ceilidh band
- Waggonload of Monkeys — stand-in gigs
- Bruce Moore's Bluegrass Band
- The Rosinators — country, cajun, gospel, bluegrass & blues
- Doughboy Zydecajun — cajun and zydeco
- Bon Temps Playboys
- Crosskey Clog — appalachian clog dance
- Hi Jinx — old-timey American music
"One advantage of playing various instruments is that you get invited places to make up the numbers by dance groups you don't even belong to."