Short biography

JD and the Longfellows formed in 2006. They have rel… Read Full Bio ↴Short biography

JD and the Longfellows formed in 2006. They have released three albums of original folk/skiffle/country music, ‘Confessions’ (2006), 'Happy Hour Again!' (2008) and this summer 'Swinging for England' (2011) - a bit like pass the parcel, but when the music stops who will have your keys? The band have played several UK tours, over 200 gigs (one in France), supported bands such as Alabama 3, as well as clubs such as What's Cookin', Stranger than Paradise, the 12 Bar Club and Gypsy Hotel. They have also played the London Irish Rugby Club St. Patrick’s Day Festival, playing in front of 20,000 and have recorded live tracks at the BBC’s Broadcasting House, London.

The history lesson

JD and the Longfellows, formed in 2006 and partly Canadian-Irish-Scottish-English-Welsh (you work it out - I can't) are a five-piece from Blackheath in South East London with a style alternatively described as Psychoskiffle, Renegade Folk, Urban Country, Thigh Slappin' Western, SlapHeadBilly, Landlubber Surf and Howlin' Hootenanny (folk, skiffle and country to you and me)...

In November 2006, they released a 14-track album of original songs from the pen of JD: 'Confessions'. This receieved extensive radio play, particularly on US shows specializing in celtic-folk-alt-country and was selected as one of the Top 10 of 2006 by Radio Rebel Gael in New York and just outside the Top 10 by Shite'n'Onions Radio in Boston. A cocktail of philanderers, virgins, holiday nightmares, sadomasochism, fornicating adulterers, swindling con artists, the mile high club, hop-skotching nuns, vigilantes, celebrity look-a-likes, reality TV shows and wedding nightmares feature in the songs - oh, and the odd glass of whiskey....

“This isn't just the best damned drinking album of the year; it's the best damned CD to play before you go out drinking to pump yourself up album of the year” (Shite'n'Onions Radio, Boston, USA)

"one hell of a - masterpiece here with "Confessions". You can hear the influences of Skiffle, Rockabilly, and even Ska throughout on the disc. Simple but amazing songs that will become a part of the soundtrack of my life as a - DJ!" (Paddy Rock Radio, Indiana, USA)

In 2008 they released 'Happy Hour Again!' featuring more songs written by JD, as well as a handful by Karma Clayfellow (Kevin Carney) and Clare Portman (Shortfellow).

They have played over 200 gigs around the UK, one in France and will be touring across the west of England and hopefully near you in summer 2011.

Over the years there have been three ever-present members: JD LongFellow (Josh Davis - bellowing and guitar), Clare Portman (ShortFellow - vox, guitar, washboard tie and percussion) and Gemma Gayner (StringFellow - violin, string arranging and vocals).

They are joined on a brand new album 'Swinging for England' (release July 2011) by Nathan Persad (DotComFellow: drums, Nathanisms, and vocals), Harry Perry (DeepNoteFellow: bass), Greg McDonald (McMultiInstrumentalistFellow: harmonica, accordian, mandolin) and James Boston (FingersFellow: piano, keyboards).

Come along and join us and see if you 'drink us under the table and dance us off the floor'

JD and the Longfellows Lyrics