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Keen readers will have noticed that there has been an addition to the Shinjig circus: Melodeon and whistler molester Doug Briggs has played several gigs with us since the summer and despite an alarming tendency to play with his knobs during the sets, we have decided to let him stay. Doug makes highly praised melodeons for those lucky few with deep pockets and time to wait. He can't actually afford to play one of his own boxes.

Ex-Whisky Priest and current Malkie Hugh features on guitar and an array of other instruments. He now wields a brace of PRS 'axes' (though not at the same time) and has an amp that goes up to twelve. That is of course, as any fule kno, two louder. His background is an impeccable mix of experience in traditional and electric musics, and an almost fanatical dedication to everything edible of a chocolate nature.

The melody is held down, held up, and generally mutilated by another ex Priest, Simon. Professional by the age of seventeen, Simon's early debauched lifestyle has given way to the bucolic charms of the outer reaches of Calderdale, parenthood and playing the hell out of his electric fiddle. Recommended by none other than living legend Gina Lefaux, Simon plays with an imagination and fire that is inspirational

Mal, as many of our audiences will have noticed, plays bass. It is fair to say that he likes his bass to be heard. Possibly uniquely in the folk world, Mal used to use a bass cabinet with four eighteen inch speakers in it. It was the size of a large wardrobe. Ever since we managed to convince him that this might be a touch of over-kill, Mal has looked a tad wistful. This has not prevented him from laying down some of the most brilliant bass lines ever heard in the history of, well, bass lines.

Stalwart sticksman and star, been there and done it musical hero Pete Spencer, currently residing in Cologne (yes, the one in Germany, and not, as a recent audience thought, Colne in Lancashire) lends a touch of glamour to the proceedings whenever he is in town. It can't be too often for the rest of the band, despite being able to fall back on the services of some of the region's top drummers

And what can we say of guitar-strumming, mandola-picking caller Huw? Let's quote a recent happy customer: "I really loved the way you included everyone, even the smallest kids, and your sense of humour. Everyone...has raved about you and the band." Aww, shucks.

Now with added website! Check us out at shinjig(dot)com and wonder at the glory of our video.