Latest News
Sackful are back gigging again - July 12th 2022
At last we're back gigging again with our eighth line-up.
In March 2019 having found our new singer Laurie-Anne Collins, from Codford, a couple of days later we found our new bass/lead guitarist Alec Stansfield, from Trowbridge, who answered our mailout "Search for a couple of Sovereigns".
Rehearsals continued through 2019 and then, early in 2020, with a couple of sets of folk, rock, blues, country and soul songs we felt ready to launch the eighth line-up. Then COVID struck. End of rehearsals, end of venues, end of anything!
We were able to convene again when the "Rule of Six" came in and then Craig, our drummer, decided to leave us, just as we were ready to go out AGAIN!
A new search for a drummer brought us Doug Coulson, from Swindon. So here we are again, ready to play. We've already done a couple of warm up gigs in Warminster and Codford which went exceedingly well and look forward to seeing you at our future gigs.
The latest line up, which is the eighth in 26 years, is:
Laurie-Anne Collins on vocals.
Alec Stansfield on lead guitar, bass guitar and vocals.
Doug Coulson on drums and vocals.
Ian Spittal on keyboards, bass guitar and banjo.
Colin Harrison on vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar and mandolin.
SEARCH FOR A COUPLE OF SOVEREIGNS - March 11th 2019
First the bad news: we've unfortunately lost our bass player, Mark Peaple. Due to ill health Mark feels that he can no longer continue with the band. We'd all like to thank Mark for his contribution to the band since 2014 and wish him well for the future.
And the next bit of bad news: we've also lost our main vocalist, Leonie Macaslin, who's leaving to concentrate more on her musical theatre roles. Once again the band would like to thank Leonie for her contributions to the band since 2014 and wish her well for all her future projects, we're going to miss them both.
The good news (maybe not for some!) is that we are continuing with the band and already have a new vocalist. She has recently joined us and we'll tell you more as rehearsals continue.
We are now looking for a new bass player and an instumentalist, preferably both with vocals.
On the instrumentalist side of things a fiddle player is the first preference but we would consider any instrument as long as the feel is right for the music. In the past we’ve had flute, fiddle, soprano saxophone, concertina and whistle soloists in the band.
If you are interested, or know anybody who may be, give us a call on 01225 707659 or email info@sackfulofsovereigns.co.uk.
Sackful back gigging - July 18th 2018
It's been quiet on the gig front for the band due to various commitments. We're back at Party in the Park in Melksham on the 21st July and will be on the main stage at 1.30pm kicking of the music for the day.
Check out our GIG GUIDE to see where we're playing next.
"Break a leg", they said - so she did! - July 15th 2017
If you're wondering why you haven't heard much from Sackful of Sovereigns since last year we've had a bit of an enforced lay-off. Leonie fell off her horse at the end of October and suffered a bad break of her leg. She was playing the lead in the sold out musical "Legally Blond" at the Merlin Theatre in Frome that week and had to miss the last two performances. The choreographer for the show, Amy Morgan-Bell, stood in for her at the last minute so, thankfully, the show didn't have to be cancelled. Leonie was rushed to Salisbury Hospital and ended up having a five hour operation at Southampton Hospital to put all the bits back together. Then in January, just as Leonie was getting back on her feet, Mark was rushed into hospital with a respiratory infection and ended being off for a couple of months.
In April we did a private gig in Beanacre Church, for an Anniversary celebration, and both the invalides got through OK, though Mark had to play sitting down. We then played the Longleat Food and Drink Festival on the 11th June and now the band is back up to speed and taking bookings again.
Check out our GIG GUIDE to see where we're playing next.
Leonie is appearing in the new comedy musical "It Shoulda Been You" in September 2017 at Cooper Hall, Frome and "Guys and Dolls" in October at the Merlin Theatre, Frome
Leonie will be appearing as "Jenny Steinberg" in Kairos Theatre Company's Production of the new comedy musical "It Shoulda Been You" at The Cooper Hall Selwood Manor, Frome on the 28th, 29th and 30th September and 1st of October 2017. Tickets available from the Cheese and Grain's website - The Cheese and Grain or telephone 01373 455420 / 471854.
.....and also as "Adelaide" in "Guys and Dolls" at the Merlin Theatre, Frome for Merlin Theatre Productions on 19th October through to Saturday 21st October - Ticket Details to follow.
Sackful on BBC Wiltshire on Saturday 16th April
Sackful of Sovereigns were back on the "Sue Davies Show" on BBC Wiltshire last Saturday (16th April) when, to mark the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on the 15th April, she played "Bound for the Promised Land" which we recorded in the studios back in January.
Thanks again to Sue and engineer Carl who were great. You can check out the broadcast on BBC Radio "Listen Again" Sue Davies 16/04/16, scroll to 2 hours 30 mins into the show.
They also videoed us playing (you can only see three of us as the camera was static) and it's on the BBC Wiltshire Facebook page www.facebook.com/BBCWiltshire It's currently their featured video. After next Saturday it won't be the featured video so will probably be further down the videos page.
Great Session at BBC Wiltshire on Saturday 9th January
We were invited to play on the "Sue Davies Show" on BBC Wiltshire on Saturday (9th January) and had a great time. We did one song live, "Tell Us a Tale" (about Fred Kempster), which you can see on our homepage or here on the BBC Wiltshire Facebook page, and then recorded another, "Bound for the Promised Land" which will be broadcast at a later date and the video will then be available on Facebook as well. Thanks to Sue and engineer Carl who were great, really made us feel at home and were really helpful. You can also check out the broadcast on BBC Radio "Listen Again" Sue Davies 09/01/16, scroll to 2hours 30mins into the show and there is an initial interview and the song "Tell Us a Tale" live.
STILL Looking for an Instrumentalist
We're still looking for an instrumentalist to add to the line-up. Fiddle, Flute, Whistle, Sax, Concertina, all considered. We're we're somebody with a passion for our sort of music, can play with real energy and fit in with the band on a social level (sense of humour essential).
Interested or know anybody who is? then give us a call on 01225 707659.
Mark in "Once Upon a Time" in February at The Assembly Hall, Melksham,
Mark People will be appearing in Melksham Music and Drama's Production "Once Upon a Time" at The Assembly Hall, Melksham, on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th February 2016. Ticket details to follow.
Leonie in "The Last Five Years" in February at The Studio Theatre, Merlin Theatre, Frome and "The Producers" in March at the Merlin Theatre in Frome
Leonie Macaslin will be appearing in Merlin Theatre Productions' "The Last Five Years" at The Studio Theatre, The Merlin Theatre, Frome on the 11th, 12th and 13th February 2016. See their website - The Last Five Years. Tickets available from Tickets The Last Five Years, The Merlin Theatre
.....and also in "The Producers" at the Merlin Theatre, Frome for the Merlin Theatre Productions on Monday 14th March to Saturday 19th March at 7.45pm.. See their website - The Producers. Tickets available from Tickets The Producers, The Merlin Theatre - two great shows to dispel the winter blues
Back at The Pilot Bowerhill, Melksham after 17 years on the 21st November 2015
We're are back at The Pilot Bowerhill, Melksham on Saturday 21st November. It's only been 17 years since Sackful MKII last played there on the 26th July 1998. Why the gap - LIFE!! Starts at 9.30, Free Admission - See you there!
Leonie in "City of Angels" in November at Trowbridge ARC Theatre and "The Little Mermaid" in December at the Merlin Theatre in Frome
Leonie Macaslin will be appearing in TAOS Musical Theatre's production of "City of Angels" at the ARC Theatre, Trowbridge on the 24th to the 28th November 2015. Tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/arctheatre/
.....and also in "The Little Mermaid", based on the original fairy tale, at the Merlin Theatre, Frome for the Merlin Theatre Company. See their website - The Little Mermaid. Tickets available from Tickets The Little Mermaid, The Merlin Theatre - two great shows to ease you into Christmas - there we said the "C" word!!!
Back at The Cellar Bar at The Bear Hotel in Devizes on the 29th May 2015
We're are back at The Cellar Bar, The Bear Hotel, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 1HS on Friday 29th May. Starts at 9.00 with doors opening at 8.00pm. Admission on the Door at £5.00.
If you missed our Christmas Concert at The Rachel Fowler Centre, Melksham last December you missed a great night! The band's going from strength to strength with the new line up really meshing together well. With new material in the set you'll be in for a great night on the 29th May so let's have a great audience to match and we'll see you all there.
Leonie in "Hairspray" the Musical at Frome Memorial Theatre 12th to 16th May 2015
Leonie Macaslin is in the Musical "Hairspray" all this week at the Frome Memorial Theatre with the Frome Musical Theatre Company. Check out their website for loads of pictures at www.fromemtc.co.uk/ and tickets from www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk/. Looks like it's going to be a really great show.
Leonie Macaslin Supports the Warminster Military Wives Choir in Concert
Leonie is singing a suppporting set of Show Songs with the Warminster Military Wives Choir at the Melksham Assembly Hall on Sunday 21st June along with the Melksham Ukelele Social Club.
Starts at 7.30pm and Tickets are £10.00 available from Melksham TIC or The Assembly Hall. It's all in aid of Dorothy House and the RBL Poppy Appeal.
Great Night on the 20th December
Thanks to all those who turned out (and missed the Stricly final) for our Christmas concert at the Rachel Fowler Centre. It was a great night playing to a highly appreciative audience with all the band on top form and thoroughly enjoying themselves. We'll have to do it again next year. We also held a retiring collection in memory of Mark's brother and raised £42.00 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
wishing all of our supporters a very Happy Christmas and see you next year.
Christmas Concert 2014
Following on from the successful debut of the latest Sackful of Sovereigns line up in May and appearances at Party in the Park and the Melksham River Festival the band are performing a Christmas Concert for 2014. It will be held at The Rachel Fowler Centre, Melksham on the 20th December and tickets will be on sale at the Melksham Tourist Information Centre (see gig guide) or from the band.
The following article appears in the Melksham News on the 8th December.
Sackful of Sovereigns' Christmas Concert at the Rachel Fowler Centre.
Following successful appearances in Melksham this year, at the Party in the Park and the River Festival, Melksham based electric folk band Sackful of Sovereigns will be appearing at the Rachel Fowler Centre for a Christmas Concert on Saturday 20th December.
Their latest line up, which is their seventh in 19 years, debuted in May this year and consists of:
Leonie Macaslin on vocals, who returned to the area at the start of the year from London where she graduated with an honours degree in Musical Theatre from Mountview Academy of Performing Arts. She also performs with various Musical Theatre groups in the area and can be seen at the Merlin Theatre in Frome in "A Christmas Carol" on the 4th - 13th December. She just loves singing!
On the Bass Guitar, is Mark Peaple. Well known on the Melksham music scene, Mark used to run "Mark's Musical Instruments" and is also a guitar teacher. He has played in bands in the local area since he was a teenager and currently treads the boards with Melksham Music and Drama.
Ian Spittal is on keyboards. Ian originally played bass guitar with the band from 1998 to 2000 and then moved away to Ireland returning to take up the keyboard stool in 2010.
Craig Martin is on the drums and percussion (listen out for the dog bowl!). A talented drummer, Craig joined the band in 2012 after answering an advert in the Melksham News. Craig, originally from Essex, has been playing in bands since he was a teenager.
Colin Harrison on vocals, guitars and mandolin. Colin has been in the band since the start in 1995. He has played in all types of band from heavy metal to cabaret and was professional in the late 70's. Colin writes most of the band's own songs.
Sackful of Sovereigns play updated versions of traditional and contemporary folk songs along with their own compositions based on local subjects - such as "Bound for the Promised Land", about the Goodwin family from Melksham who went down with the Titanic, "Tell Us a Tale", telling the story of the Melksham giant Fred Kempster and "All for the Sake of the King" which chronicles The Battle of Roundway Down at Devizes in 1643. The band plays concerts, clubs and festivals locally around Wiltshire and to date have produced six CD's. For this concert they will also be including a number of seasonally themed songs.
The evening on the 20th December starts at 7.30pm with the doors opening at 7.00pm.
Tickets are available from the Melksham Tourist Information Centre in Church Street (Tel. 01225 707424) and are priced at £6.00. Admission on the door on the night is £8.00.
Light refreshments and soft drinks will be available on the night or Bring Your Own Bottle and Plastic Glass for your favourite tipple.
For more information on the band visit www.sackfulofsovereigns.co.uk or call 01225 707659.
Sackful Mk 7 Debuts in May
The Cellar Bar in Devizes on the 23rd May 2014 will be the debut gig for the 7th incarnation of Sackful of Sovereigns.
The new line up consists of:
Leonie Macaslin - Voice, Percussion.
Ian Spittal - Keyboards.
Colin Harrison - Guitars, Voice.
Mark Peaple - Bass Guitar.
Craig Martin - Drums, Percussion.
Leonie Macaslin - our new Vocalist was brought up listening to Sackful's music being the daughter of guitarist Colin and Sackful's original singer for 15 years, Denise. She started performing at the age of eight with the Potterne Pantomime group also joining other theatre groups in the area - Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society and Logan West. She has recently returned to the area from London where she graduated with a degree in Musical Theatre from Mountview Academy of Performing Arts and can also be seen in June performing with T.A.O.S. Musical Theatre as one of the witches in their production of "The Witches of Eastwick". She just loves singing!
Mark Peaple - our new bass player joined Sackful of Sovereigns in 2013 after being invited along to see the band at the Rachel Fowler Centre in Melksham. "I have to be in this band!" he was heard to utter and subsequently auditioned and got the gig. Mark also plays guitar and is a guitar teacher. He used to run "Mark's Musical Instruments" in Melksham which unfortunately became a victim of the recent recession. Having played in bands since he was a teenager he currently also plays in a Rock and Roll band and treads the boards with the Melksham Music and Drama.
Both Leonie and Mark are really looking forward to playing with Sackful so come along to the Cellar Bar on the 23rd May and hear how they get on. Oh, and bring a friend.
Still Looking for an Instrumentalist
So the band has found their new lead vocalist and bass player to launch Sackful Mk7. but we're still looking for an instrumentalist to add to the line-up. Fiddle, Flute, Whistle, Sax, Concertina, all considered. We're looking for somebody with a passion for our sort of music, can play with real energy and fit in with the band on a social level (sense of humour essential).
Interested or know anybody who is? then give us a call on 01225 707659.
STOP PRESS....
Mark Peaple, from Melksham, joins Sackful of Sovereigns on bass Guitar. Rehearsals to bring Mark up to speed with the bands material are underway.
Daizi and Steve's Last Gig
The Cellar Bar in Devizes on the 26th October will be Daizi and Steve's last gig with Sackful of Sovereigns. Both are leaving due to other commitments taking up more time and it will be sad to see them go.
Steve has been with Sackful for the last 13 years joining in 2000 and not only played bass guitar but contributed to the songwriting with "Surfing the Locks" and distinctive, original bass lines. Steve could always be relied on to cheer up the proceedings with some killer jokes and a totally warped sense of humour, he will be missed but we wish him "all the best" in his other ventures. Thanks for all Steve's contributions to the band over his 13 year stint.
Daizi joined Sackful of Sovereigns in 2012 and vocals slotted in perfectly with the band from day one. Daizi is a member of the Potterne Pantomime group, along with Colin and Steve, and on hearing that we were looking for a singer asked if she could apply, came along to a rehearsal and joined. As with Steve work commitments have taken up more time and Daizi has reluctantly decided to leave the band. As with Steve she will be missed and we wish her "all the best" with her ventures and thanks for singing with the band.
So not only is the band looking for an instrumentalist but a new lead vocalist and bass player to take us through to Sackful Mk7. We're looking for talented musicians with a passion for our sort of music, can play with real energy and fit in with the band on a social level (sense of humour essential).
Interested or know anybody who is? then give us a call on 01225 707659.
Still Looking for an Instrumentalist
Sackful of Sovereigns are looking for an instrumentalist to join the line-up for 2013. Fiddle, Flute, Whistle, Sax, Concertina, all considered. We're looking for somebody with a passion for our sort of music, can play with real energy and fit in with the band on a social level (sense of humour essential).
Current line up is: Daizi Reynolds on vocals and percussion, Craig Martin on drums joining Steve Sawyer on bass guitar and Colin Harrison on vocals, guitars and madolin and Ian Spittal on Keyboards.
Interested? then give us a call on 01225 707659.
Sackful of Sovereigns return to the Cellar Bar Devizes
Following two successful appearances in 2012 and another in March 2013 Sackful of Sovereigns will be back at The Cellar Bar Devizes at the Bear Hotel on Saturday October 26th 2013.
....... SEE GIG GUIDE
Carol and Iza Goroff visiting Melksham on the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic Sinking
Carol and Iza Goroff visited Melksham on the 4th and 5th of April prior to returning to the USA on the Titanic 100th Anniversary Cruise which left from Southampton on the 8th April.
Carol's grandmother was Frederick Goodwin's sister and Carol is currently writing a book on the Goodwin's which includes a chapter on the band and the songs we've written about the Goodwin family.
....... SEE THE GOROFFS
In Memory of Phil Mundy
We were really saddened at the end of last year by the news that Phil Mundy, our original bass player, had died. Phil was an integral part of setting up the band, a real character and a nice guy.
We'd all kept in touch over the years and he returned to play with the band in 2006 when we held our 10th Anniversary conert and invited all our past band members back to play again. He will be missed.
....... SEE SACKFUL MK1 1996 - 1997
The Return of Mr Spittal
Ian Spittal is back with the Sovereigns. After spending 8 years as Estate Manager for Castle Hacket, near Galway, Ireland, Ian has rejoined the band but this time on keyboards.
Ian was our second bass player taking over from Phil Mundy and left the band for Ireland in 2000. Returning to our shores in 2008 we knew what a good keyboard player he was (as well as playing bass guitar, guitar and mandolin) so we asked him to join us again and he agreed.
Having the keyboards has really added to the sound of the band and with Ian being a superb musician new arrangements and ideas are being added to the music all the time. Welcome back Ian.
....... SEE SACKFUL MK2 1998 - 1999
....... SEE SACKFUL CURRENT
Daizi's Getting Married
Not content with just joining a new band in 2012 our new singer, Daizi Reynolds is also getting married at the beginning of June. All the band wish Daizi and Alex a long an happy marriage.
....... SEE SACKFUL CURRENT
Mark Griffin plays with the "Ray Jones Band"
Our ex drummer, Mark Griffin, is playing full time with "The Ray Jones Band". Fronted by Ray Jones this highly popular three piece band play classic rock standards and their own original rock compositions and are booked solid for the rest of the year so go and see them.
....... SEE THE RAY JONES BAND WEBSITE
Heather Minnion forms "Dance Bazaar"
Our ex concertina, flute, whistle and recorder player Heather Minnion now has formed an acoustic dance band playing dance tunes from around the world.
"Dance Bazaar" has seven members featuring concertina; fiddles; recorders; accordion; guitar; percussion; flute; clarinet and french horn and play for barn dances, ceilidhs, Playford dances, concerts, circle dances, celebrations and musicians' workshops.
The band also has Colin Harrison on guitar who joined originally to help set up the band and enjoyed it so much he stayed on.
....... SEE THE DANCE BAZAAR WEBSITE
