Tim Hughes meets Southern Tenant Folk Union, a left-leaning band that took titles from Chuck Norris films and used them as a launching pad to sing about bigger issues

They come from Scotland, take their name from a farmers’ association and play rich acoustic folk suffused with bluegrass energy and Celtic charm.

So what on earth are Southern Tenant Folk Union doing releasing an album based on action hero Chuck Norris?

“I thought the idea seemed quite ‘out there’ and, in fact, so far out there that it demanded to be followed through,” says banjo and bass player Pat McGarvey.

“Being a fan of action movies, I’ve seen many of his films. But it’s really about his politics. He’s publicly on the right, as he’s entitled to be, and I’m more on the left, so I had the crazy idea to name all the songs on this latest album after Mr Norris’s movies, just using those titles as a creative starting point to offer thoughts on the state of our world, on politics, on tolerance and other topics.”

So we get tunes like Good Guys Wear Black, Delta Force, The Wrecking Crew, Martial Law and Slaughter in San Francisco. While not what one would expect from a Scottish folk group, it follows up on the ideas and experimentation exhibited on previous albums, with their glances at horror and sci-fi.

“There’s been a gradual progression in the experimentation as the six albums have gone by and I’d say that will continue into the future,” says Pat. “But there’s a common sensibility in the lyrical approach and the freedom that comes with a disregard for structure and rules. Frankly I’d expect musicians to always be themselves while, at the same time, always pushing themselves to do something new – if only to keep themselves interested.”

So are they fans of the hard-hitting Norris? “Sort of,” says Pat. “I mean I’m a fan of Clint Eastwood too. I love his movies, his work with Don Siegel and his love of Jazz in the scores to his films. But all that business with him talking to an empty chair at the Republican party convention in 2012 was just embarrassing.

“Similarly with Chuck Norris. I’m able to separate the actor, who in the films is after all being told what to say and where to stand and who to kick, from the man, so I can enjoy the action while disagreeing with some of his, and the far right’s, views.”

With a reputation for lively shows, Pat and his bandmates Rory Butler (guitar and lead vocals), Steve Fivey (cajon drum and percussion), Craig Macfadyen (double bass), Chris Purcell (guitar, harmonica and vocals) and Ciaran Ryan (fiddle and mandolin) are about more than just unusual concept albums.

“What we really like to do is to entertain, inform, and be creative onstage and offstage,” says Pat.

“The name itself is a dual reference. We’re named after the Southern Tenant Farmers Union, an American union dating from the 1930s, and it also is something of a mission statement in that I wanted the collective nature of unions to be reflected in how the band was run and to promote the idea that well run, transparent collective institutions make our world a better place.”

And how did this young five-piece hit upon their punchy brand of folk?

“There’s actually quite a lot of young musicians, especially in Scotland, working in folk and traditional music,” says Belfast-born and Liverpool and London-raised Pat, “What we do with the instruments, while referencing tradition, has many more diverse influences and a deliberate agenda to experiment with acoustic sound.

“We came to it though via my switch from electric bass to five-string banjo over 10 years ago when I was in a band called The Coal Porters.

“That eventually led to me forming Southern Tenant Folk Union and here we are six albums later.”

“The US and it’s rich musical history is a constant source of inspiration,” he says. “With the roots music, there’s a healthy disregard for structure and rules in the best of it. That’s what makes music original sounding and effective – the idea that you can do anything you want and take the sound anywhere at all. Let’s not forget though that the US, like all countries, also produces a lot of crappy music.”

But the musical bedrock is still Scottish and Irish folk. “Yes, it’s there in the fiddle playing. That’s where the cultures of Europe and America meet with the folk and classical music of Europe taken to America and evolving, being turned into something new and different.

“Our fiddle player Ciaran is an absolute master of the instrument and we’re even doing an Irish tune set live as it’s a thing of pure beauty as well as being rousing and exciting to listen to.”

Tomorrow, the band plays The Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot. What can we expect from the show? “A healthy and entertaining mix of bluegrass, roots and some of our more ‘folk-disco’ numbers from the new album,” he says. “We, of course, take the music very seriously but not ourselves – so there’s a nice informality to the proceedings and we’re keen to involve the audience by explaining the thought process behind some of the songs with the occasional bad joke too.

“So expect great musicianship, harmony vocals and an eclectic set of music that I think anyone with an open mind would enjoy.”

Though perhaps not Chuck Norris. Has he heard about the project, I wonder, and would it be possible for Norris devotees with a poorly developed sense of humour to get the wrong end of the stick?

“I shouldn’t think he’s heard. I actually don’t want the hassle of him or any crazy fruitcake gun nuts finding out and sending the band letters of abuse written in crayon!” Pat laughs.

“As for people getting the wrong end of the stick – I think yes, if you don’t pay attention to the lyrics, then it would be possible to think it was some kind of tribute when the aim of the album is to highlight serious issues in an entertaining way.

“I think there’s an appeal to an ‘artist’ to do something that’s not been done before, and if there’s another eclectic Scottish based folk and bluegrass band that releases an album this year themed around a right wing actor’s movie titles with lyrics promoting a more progressive agenda then it had better be a good one because ours is sublime!”

CHECK IT OUT
Southern Tenant Folk Union play The Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot tomorrow. Tickets are £15 (£13.50 concs) from 01235 515144. 

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