The Twelve Sullivans are a six piece band based in the South of England. They gig regularly on the festival circuit and at private events. The band name comes from Finnegans Wake by James Joyce. For a first taste of the band try their debut album, All For Me Grog, which they recorded live at The Old Barn Recording Studios.

Line Up

Jeff Ingarfield: Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
Serena Ingarfield: Accordion & Backing vocals
Nigel Bradford: Bodhran & Percussion
Chris Goddard: Fiddle & Backing Vocals
Andy Norman: Banjo & Backing Vocals
Ian Watson: Double Bass

Jeff was brought up listening to The Dubliners and The Clancy Bothers, courtesy of his mother from Co. Cavan. Can drink a pint of Guinness in less than 3 seconds; believes he is too important to pack away the gear. Jeff gatecrashed The Twelve Sullivans at a time when they were vulnerable, and eventually forced all the original line up to leave. It proved the turning point for the band. The rest is pisstory.

Serena is the perfect foil for Jeff's manic stage repartee. The on stage banter in which she partakes is hilarious. "Jesus, I don't do sound checks" she has us all splitting our sides. We would be lost without her. From Co. Tyrone, Serena joined The Twelve Sullivans when she moved to England in the early nineties and has certainly added some glamour to the band. Though not as much as we would like. She is the daughter of Ken Browne - widely regarded to be the best professional Irish singer never to hit the big time.

(Nutty) Nige has drummed with numerous loud rock bands for more than two decades. Spends his spare time on large motorbikes and likes to French kiss people when he first meets them. Nigel famously arrived at a gig with his Bodhran covered in breadcrumbs after a member of the audience had told him to batter it.

Chris can play the fiddle and ride a bicycle. Occasionally at the same time. He joined the band after Jeff asked if there was a fiddle player in the house at an early gig. Likes whiskey and can tie his own shoe laces.

Andrew is an expert concertina and mandola player, and a professional concertina maker. Believes he is too good a player for the Sullivans so plays the banjo in the band. He started his musical career after being branded tone-deaf by a music teacher , so he thought it would be a good idea to play bass in a rock band. He has performed throughout the world in various almost famous bands, Ashdown Rounds, Dr. JAGG, and as ' master nobles'. He is frequently mistaken for Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. He joined the Sullivans purely for the money.

Ian changed his name from Ramone Starfecker to Ian Watson because he thought it sounded more glamorous. He has promoted several music venues. He released The Housemartins first record and founded skiffle band Macavity’s Cat. Surprisingly jaded looking for a man in his early twenties.

Quotes

Jeff comments “The present line up has been together for a while - allowing for a couple of baby breaks and few years running a pub in between!”.”My wife and I assembled the other members of the band. The main criteria for being included was their drinking prowess and laid back approach to life. Coincidentally they happened to be the best musicians we could find. The energy and humour in our live performances always ensure a memorable night out. The way we take a traditional song or tune and thump it out at 90 mph may make the purists cringe, but the other 99.9% whoop with delight.”

Chris says “I’ve played with friends in many bands, but more than any other The Twelve Sullivans is like a family. You can choose your friends but not your family”

Andrew says “after recording The Lakes of Ponchartrain, we all listened to it. I think we were all stunned by the emotion, and raw edge of the playing and harmonies. As it faded out over the studio speakers the last recorded words were Serena saying “Oh, that was shite!..."