Formed in 2008 out of a desire to play music that appealed to the feet as much as to the ears, the Hackney Colliery Band is east London’s unique take on the brass band.

Featuring trumpets, trombones, saxes, sousaphone and marching percussion, the band are totally acoustic and yet able to blow the roof off any room.

Hackney Colliery Band’s members have hugely diverse musical backgrounds, ranging from work with cutting edge jazz groups to the Royal Opera House, and from Jarvis Cocker to major international orchestras.

This breadth of musical talent is clearly on display in their eclectic repertoire. Mining nuggets of funk, hip-hop and high-octane rock from the musical coalface and throwing in a few chunks of Balkan brass, ska and contemporary jazz for good measure, the Hackney Colliery Band’s setlist is as diverse as the London borough that gave them their name.

Add the fact that the band stays true to its roots by bringing the tradition of mobile marching bands firmly into the 21st Century and you know that every gig’s sure to be unique. Whatever and wherever they’re playing, though, you can be certain of one thing: this is high-energy, good- time music that’ll make you want move your feet.

Personnel

Trumpet, flugelhorn: Nick Ashwood
Trumpet, melodica: Steve Pretty
Tenor sax: Tom Richards
Alto/baritone sax: Mike Lesirge
Trombone: Jonathan Sweeney
Trombone: Magnus Dearness
Sousaphone: Jeff Miller
Snare drum, hi hat & cymbals: Luke Christie
Bass drum, wood block, cowbell & cymbals: Olly Blackman

Band scrapbook

Click here to download HCB’s press and promo pack.

“I’m excited about Hackney Colliery Band” - Gilles Peterson

Hackney Colliery Band played on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide, BBC Radio 1

“Make sure you get with the HCB – and that’s coming from HBE!” - Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Hackney Colliery Band’s single Africa played on Huey Morgan’s radio show May 22nd 2011,BBC 6Music

Hackney Colliery Band live on Robert Elms’ show May 20th 2011, BBC Radio London

Hackney Colliery Band @ Jazz Cafe recommended on Lauren Laverne’s show - BBC Radio 6Music

“Brass-heavy goodness from the nine-piece headliners” - TimeOut Recommended

“This incredible 9-piece brass band having been ripping up Wah Wah dance floors for a couple of months now with their awesome live shows” - Wah Wah 45s

“A frankly stellar line up … the unusually monikered Hackney Colliery Band take care of the jazzier end of things” - Hackney Citizen preview of Land of Kings, April 2010

“possibly the most talked about and singular beat combo in the borough” - Hackney Citizen interview, Dec 2010

Clubs picks of the week, The Guardian

“a ‘close-your-eyes-and-you’re-in-a-Hovis-advert’ moment before completely destroying our eardrums with ‘bangin’, modern music.” – Clash Music.com

“hot property for the more eclectic dj’s out there” - Hugh Dewinton

Hackney Colliery Band played on ResonanceFM

“The wonderful Hackney Colliery Band don’t bother with traditional hymns and dirges and instead serve up a (Lancashire) hotpot of funky tunes, inspired cover versions (Human Nature, Africa) and all-round good times.” - lecool.com

“One of the highlights of the week” - Arbuturian.com

“Excellent! Will be playing this often!” - Jake The Sax (Ok_Ma)

“Fresh from the jazz pits of East London, Hackney Colliery Band make the transfer from much-vaunted live act to a recording ensemble with their killer version of Kelis’ ‘I Got Your Money’….”- Boomkat

“…a great cut for anyone with a love of brass or just a love of unexpected covers of pop songs.”- Juno Plus

“…tearing up the stage with some tight punchy playing … an incredibly refreshing change to some of the run of the mill, pork pie hat and skinny jeans wearing Indie blah-ness” -thehookandsling podcast

“The Hackney Colliery Band going at it full throttle in the jam-packed Trinity Pub in Borough” -skittlemustard.blogspot.com

“I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed listening to music so much.” - thecolossusblog.com

“Trust me, you’ll likey” - Les Enfants Terribles

“A beautiful thing” - twitter.com/linkcontrast

“LOVED the band last night. Thanks so much. We had a great night last night and the music created a great party atmosphere.” - Dover Soul