Boiled in Lead
Biography
Performance Arrangements: 5-piece electric, 5-piece acoustic
Dan Corrigan
Rock'n'reel, Punk-folk, Country music from many countries.... BiL play fiddle, guitars, bass and percussion with loads of power and emotion.
"...one of the most innovative world beat bands...."
—National Public Radio
—National Public Radio
"...the most important folk-rock band to appear since the 1970s... required listening...."
—MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide (1998)
—MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide (1998)
For 25 years, BiL have been innovators in bringing "folk music" kicking and screaming to rock audiences (and rock music to screaming folk audiences!) BiL's many instrumental dance tunes incorporate global influences, rhythms, and melodies that are guaranteed to keep the feet moving. Original songs stick in the mind long after the music is over.
The players improvise freely yet stay in sync, playing a simmering stew of original and traditional material that sounds fresh and highly identifiable. The group and the individual musicians have won over 20 Minnesota Music Awards, and toured throughout the US and in Europe. Enthusiastic, powerful, playing a wealth of instruments, electric and acoustic, the band's current lineup and new release Silver sees the return of original lead singer Todd Menton, and the addition of world-travelling eclectic instrumentalist Dean Magraw.
The Players:
Marc Anderson (drum kit and percussion) is best-known for his partnership with ECM recording artist Steve Tibbetts, which has taken him around the world. His four solo albums are just part of his story, which includes numerous producing and percussion credits, and performances with artists from Don Cherry to the Minnesota Orchestra. Marc's "fat hands," big ears, and Zen Buddhist worldview mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the BiL story.
Dean Magraw (guitar) joins the band after a number of guest appearances. He engages his experienced ears in the pursuit of soaring melodies, rhythmic momentum, and expansive harmonies, while squeezing sympathetic sonorities from the palette of uber-sensitive guitar strings in service to the unity of the BiL sound.
Todd Menton (vocals, guitar, mandolin, bodhran, whistle) joined BiL soon after their 1st LP, and was the lead singer on the classic albums From the Ladle to the Grave and Orb. He left the band in 1991 and hit the Irish pub circuit. Todd has released three solo CDs on the New Folk label.
Drew Miller (bass guitar, dulcimer) founded the band in 1983. His solid bass playing anchors the low end of the BiL sound, and his electric dulcimer adds an Appalachian drone to the mix. Drew runs the Omnium label which releases BiL and other "world music that rocks." He's also a web designer and has been been profiled in Bass Player Magazine.
David Stenshoel (fiddle, saxophone) enjoys playing many different styles, from "hot club" swing to Persian classical music. An original member of the band, he left in 1990 to raise his daughter; but returned seven years later, bringing a heightened level of improvisation to the stage and presenting the melodies with lyricism and authority.
"a smoking, surprising, commanding combo.... Nobody roars, does a jig or a Balkan boogie quite like Boiled in Lead."
—Minneapolis StarTribune (1998)
—Minneapolis StarTribune (1998)
"...the prime purveyor of a style of Celtic music infused with punk-rock attitude, developing over the years with a hard-driving swirl that combined Irish folk with heavy rock and elements of styles from all over the world. ...one of the best bands Minnesota's ever produced. (When they play) all-acoustic, ...don't be fooled into thinking that means 'quiet'—even without amplification, Boiled In Lead can summon up furious punk-folk energy."
—The Onion (2004)
—The Onion (2004)
Workshops
The five members of BiL have a wide variety of talents and experiences. Exciting workshops can be created with the entire band on subjects such as Irish dance tunes, Eastern European / Arabic traditional instrumentals and rhythms, or opening BiL’s process with a demonstration of “how to boil a traditional tune.”Individual band members can hold forth on subjects including Irish/English traditional songs, original songs, bodhran, tin whistle, world percussion (doumbek, tapan, djembe), acoustic & electric guitar, electric dulcimer, and fiddle.
