A rollicking collection of meandering musicians led by the irrepressible and irresponsible “Al the Hat”; The New Hawleans Jug band have dominated the underground Jugband blues culture in NewHaw, Surrey, for more than 12 years. With their rocked-up, Jazzed-up and messed-about versions of blues, folk and hokum standards, no one genre could accommodate them, so they had to create their own: they are perhaps, the finest “Jugabilly” band you’re ever likely to hear. Some of NewHaw’s most creative drinkers have shuffled in and out of Al’s group; with the present line-up consisting of: Al the Hat on Blues Harp and vocals, Ewan Penkey on doghouse bass, Precious Pierre on Mandolin, guitar and vocals, Jim-boy on lead guitar and vocals, Alex “Cool-Hand” Tedesco on guitar and vocals, and Washboard-Steve, on Steve’s mum’s Washboard. They are regularly gigging country pubs, clubs and festivals around the South of England and bringing long-forgotten classics, plus a few self-penned numbers, to new audiences, eager to hear some real music, played with real enthusiasm and understanding.