Juice is one of South Wales’ longest running and most popular ceilidh bands. Originally known as ‘Juice of Barley’, it was founded back in the mid 1970s, by Jenny and Gill KilBride. They were later joined by sons: Bernard, Daniel and Gerard who, having absorbed the tradition, continued the band as ‘Juice’. Many incarnations later, the band is still as vibrant and dynamic as ever.
Where and how often do you rehearse? Juice has been playing ceilidhs for so many years – in fact – decades now, that it’s hard to say which musical elements have been borne out of rehearsals or sprung up spontaneously on stage during gigs and merged into the set that way. The band gets together specifically to rehearse for the more concert-like performances at our fiddle player’s house, for the most part, although we have been known to hire Music Box studios in Cardiff for rehearsals from time to time.
Do you have any interesting stories about your group?
Juice will be joined at Llangollen this year by caller Ned Clamp. Many years ago, he was part of the original Juice band lineup, playing guitar alongside the founder members of the group – Jenny and Gill KilBride, parents of Danny and Bernard, who took over the band when their parents retired. Ned has known Danny and Bernard since they were children, so he undoubtedly has some tales to tell!
How would you best describe your group?
An instrumental group playing a blend of exhilarating jigs and reels, waltzes and sumptuous slow airs from Wales, Ireland, Shetland and beyond.
Link to your website: www.juice-band.co.uk
