Coltsfoot are a rock band for whom Geoff is the keeper of the keys. Formed in the mid eighties at the University of Hull, they continue to record on a sporadic basis. Best described as 'heavy wood' the emphasis of their output is the fusion of piano, keyboards and acoustic guitars with occasional excursions into heavier forms. Their music is quintessentially English with an eclectic mixture of classical, progressive and folk elements. The current line up is: 

Geoff Proudley: Piano, Keyboards, Psaltery, Light Harp, Gittern, 1535 Basil de Lyre Harpsicord, anything else with a midi interface, lyrics

Rog Patterson: Acoustic and electric guitars/basses, vocals, lyrics, Weed-Hopper

Stuart Martin: Vocals, lyrics, enthusiasm, money

Jay Graham: Drums and percussion,

Silus Grudge: Electric Virginal, Hurdy Gurdy, Crumhorn, Rackett, Hotwater bottle, English Tea, Fourier analysis

The bands fledgling recordings have long been banished to dusty drawers and safe deposit boxes but titles such as From Within Stone Circles and In Retrospect may stir a memory in those with a distant recollection of the eighties NWOBPR (New Wave of British Progressive Rock). These tapes were recorded when the band were still at university and are of historical interest. A rare track, Autumn also appeared on the Progressive sampler album Exposure in the mid eighties.

Leaving university and moving into the big bad world meant recording was going to be difficult. Band member commitments meant that music by post was often the only way forward. Geoff and Stuart kept in touch and even recorded some demos with the young Steven Wilson (he of Porcupine Tree fame) at his home in Hemel Hempstead. These demos which feature Steven were released again as a cassette album Action at a Distance in 1988 although much of the material was in need of some refining which unfortunately, time prevented. During these sessions, Rog Patterson (previously of Twice Bitten and an accomplished solo acoustic guitarist) joined the band.

During the late eighties and early nineties, Geoff and Rog  wrote a number of pieces that were to become the backbone of their first CD release A Winter Harvest (see below) in 1995. It was also decided to include a number of solo compositions that complemented the other tracks. Even the ancient In Retrospect was appended as a final track to complete what was, in essence, a decade span of material. The idea behind the album was the constant cycle of life, death and rebirth. A harvest of souls from the winters blast, fueling the life force so spring will strike again. For PT fans, Steven Wilson appears on two tracks on this CD (playing keyboards and producing). For those of you haven't heard of Porcupine Tree, then check out this fantastic band at porcupinetree.com

Coltsfoot are still composing and recording.

The second album is coming. Be afraid........but be patient! See the News page for updates.

Coltsfoot are an equally-out-of-tune-hippies employer

Released Brainworks Records 1995. Code BWKD 213

Hand crafted in England