Why? (U.K. band)

Why? were a British Christian folk band mainly active through the 1990s. The band originally hailed from the West Country. Whilst never becoming widely known in the mainstream they achieved a high degree of popularity within their genre, particularly during the mid and late-1990s, in the UK and in Germany. The band played frequently at Christian events such as Spring Harvest and the Greenbelt festival.

tyle

Energy and speed were major hallmarks of the band's albums and performances. Instrumentally the acoustic guitar, played by Ant Parker, formed the core of the sound, built upon punchy and vigorous drumming rhythms. Various acoustic instruments, including mandolins, violins, flutes, harmonicas and whistles also featured in most songs, although there was a gradual shift toward keyboards and other electronic sounds in later albums, particularly "Happy". Whilst a folk band at heart, jazz, blues and other styles had clear influences on the music. Lyrically, humour was a key characteristic, whilst Christian themes were present in many songs. Other recurrent themes included friendship, nostalgia for past times, and satire on life and society.

Band members

Ant Parker was the founder of the band and central member throughout, being its principal singer, guitarist, and songwriter. However, membership of the band changed many times through its years of activity, and was different on each album. Nick Parker was the band's other main songwriter and played a key role through much of the band's career as mandolin player and vocalist, though not on the album "Happy". Drumming duties were performed by Mark Davis and, later, Andy Davis. Bassists included Seamus Herbert, James Cannock (both now in One Nation), Steve Barnard, and John Mowforth (also of Eden Burning [http://www.edenburning.co.uk/] , another popular Christian folk band active in the early and mid-1990s). Kitty Roberts and Ed Harnett, amongst others, played the violin. Jamie Hill featured on mandolin, vocals and keyboards on "Happy". Numerous other musicians (including several from Eden Burning) also occasionally played with the band in various capacities.

Discography

(see [http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/artists/Why/7813] )

* 1990 - Rachel's Lovely Jumper (Why Records)
* 1992 - Yo Skipidy (Why Records)
* 1992 - Children Of Brixton (Why Records)
* 1993 - Nicely Hugged (Why Records)
* 1994 - Rachel Says Boo! (Why Records) [http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album/album.cgi?ALBUMID=1404760]
* 1995 - Giggle (ICC Records) [http://www.icc.org.uk/] [http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album/album.cgi?ALBUMID=1404761]
* 1996 - Jig At A Why? Gig Live '96 (ICC Records) [http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album/album.cgi?ALBUMID=1404762]
* 1997 - Pinnenstripensuitenwearenfoddergeburnenclippencloppen (ICC Records) [http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album/album.cgi?ALBUMID=1166311&AMGLENGTH=full#review]
* 1998 - Why? Look back (Alliance Records)
* 1999 - Happy (Alliance Records) [http://www.authenticmedia.co.uk/]

Discontination and later projects

The band effectively discontinued in their established format shortly after the final, "Best of" album. However, after the death in 2004 of renowned Christian songwriter Sydney Carter, Why? recorded two tracks that featured on a CD compilation of the late artist's work entitled "Lord of the Dance" [http://www.stainer.co.uk/lordofthedance.html] . In 2002, Ant Parker released a modest solo recording, "Obligatory Windmills", [http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Ant/Obligatory_Windmills/5061/] , [http://www.evinsol.co.uk/ant/] . Former bassist Seamus Herbert currently plays in folk group Shaico [http://www.myspace.com/shayandco] .

External links

* [http://web.archive.org/web/19991003002004/www.bath.ac.uk/~en6cmc/why/ why? website] at Internet Archive which contains history and pictures of the band