Raincatchers formed in the early nineties, founded by Peter Crossley on violin with mandolin and Mike Morton on guitar and vocals. The original idea was simple: play music steeped in English folk and Celtic sound, and bring back an earthy feel that Britpop, rap and 90s sugar-pop had left behind.
The influences were never a secret: Woody Guthrie, Dylan, Ralph McTell, Planxty, Lindisfarne, Fairport, The Faces, The Pogues, The Waterboys. It started as an acoustic duo working the folk clubs, then grew into a full electric band with bass and drums once Gary Stannard joined on the kit, tireless and enthusiastic, and the band became a known name on the London live scene.
It all came to an end in 1996, when new fatherhood got the better of a few members. But the friendships never did, and this March, three decades on, the original line-up got back together for a one-off charity gig. It reignited something. The songs still worked, and so did the band. They've decided to carry on.
The sound
Melodic songs that range from uplifting anthems to reflective ballads, all speaking to serious things: love, loss, mortality, recovering from depression, social issues worth singing about. Powerful riffs with strong melodic hooks sit alongside gentle textures and fiddle taking the lead; songs to jig to, songs for air guitar, and songs to soothe the spirit. The words are crafted carefully, with a poetic edge.
We stayed friends when the band stopped. Reforming for one gig reminded us why we started it in the first place.
On stage
