LEFT HAND DRIVE: Biography

We are an un-signed, self-managed, acoustic trio based in the Matlock area of Derbyshire and have been together now since 1997. Chris Carr sings and plays acoustic guitar and is musically escorted by mandolin, harmonica and more acoustic guitar from Jim Gilmour. Simon Ball forms the backbone of the band with electric and fretless bass guitars, African drums and percussion. Jim and Simon both sing backing vocals giving the band three-part harmonies.

Our style is (see the FAQ page) folky rocky bluesy funky and roots! And if you know what that means then please let us know!

We like to express our artistic side with festival slots, folk clubs and ticket gigs where we get the chance to play our original songs but we still love to do covers songs at pub gigs. So if you are coming to see us check if it’s a pub gig or a paying ticket gig and you’ll know which side of us you’re going to get.

Over the years we have done too many pub gigs to remember, many beer festivals and tours of pubs in the Lakes, Norfolk and Scotland.

We have played at Stainsby Festival, Off The Tracks, Wheaton Aston Festival, Lichfield Festival, Wirksworth Festival, Priddy Folk Festival, Solfest, Reedham Ferry Folk Festival, Gig In The Park, Togfest, Belper Music Festival and have supported the likes of Hugh Cornwell, Eliza Carthy, Derrin Nauendorf, Prego, Tee and Latouche and Last Nights Fun.

We are an eclectic musical and personal mix of close friends who visibly love playing together.

“3 diverse musical talents formed to provide one of the best live trios I’ve seen in quite a while, well-bookable”, Ian Smith, Chesterfield May Day and Adastra

“SAVOUR THE FLAVOUR OF A LURCH TO THE LEFT !
They come from my neck of the woods, the Derbyshire Dales, & have been together for over six years. But I didn’t catch up with Left Hand Drive ‘till four years ago – and was mighty impressed. Here was a band that could communicate with all ages. And since then I’ve watched them grow, move away from ‘covers’ to a greater emphasis on their own material and shift impressively from pub gigs to the stages of such festivals as Stainsby and Off The Tracks. Chris Carr is the front-man, the singer, the songwriter-guitarist and sly observer of what’s happening around us. He’s impassioned vocally, highly distinctive and a superb singer. But it’s what is going on behind – here in the forms of Jim Gilmour (rhythm guitar, harmonica, mandolin) and Simon Ball (bass, African drum) – that brings out the full, satisfying, flavour of the music. Whatever it is, a Left Hand Drive gig will always leave you thinking: ‘Yeah!’”, Julian Badcock, Wheaton Aston Festival

Catchey Monkey-