In March 1999, after nearly a decade of performing, Loose Screws, one of the most exciting Appalachian dance teams in the south of England, called it a day.
Loose Screws Appalachian Dancers were an American-style "clogging" team, based in Southampton, England. The dancers in the performing team worked with their own five-piece string band, with a line-up of fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and double bass.
Loose Screws was formed in 1989 by a group of dancers and musicians who had been attending workshops on American clogging, and wished to become a performing team. Over the next few years, the team became well known for their exciting and accomplished performances. They also ran their own occasional workshops on American clogging in their home town of Southampton and at various folk festivals around the country.
The group was able to provide various combinations of dance displays, concerts, workshops, ceilidh appearances and "off the cuff" pub music sessions to suit the occasion. The band contributed old-time tunes and songs whenever the dancers needed a breather!
Photographs Photograph Album. 
| The Loose
Screws string band recorded a cassette album in 1996
entitled Loose Screws - Unclogged (Codpiece Tapes,
COD004). (There may be a few copies still available
out there somewhere!) The tape included a selection of old-time tunes and songs, and even the sound of the dancers' feet! Track list: Fly Around/Up Jumped the Devil; Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan; Forked Deer/Liberty; Beware Oh Take Care; Big Scioty/Over the Waterfall; The Bully of the Town; Hangman's Reel; Jimmy in the Swamp/Lost Indian/Crooked Stovepipe; The Wreck of the Old 97; Backside of Buncombe (by Lynn "Chirps" Smith); Railroading on the Great Divide (by Sara Carter); Nail that Catfish to the Tree (by Steve Rosen); Looking for Money (by Al Urban); Citigo/Laughing Boy. (All titles believed to be traditional unless otherwise indicated.) |
 |
To hear a sample of the music, click HERE (MP3 file, 429 KB download)
British Festival appearances during the 1990s included Trowbridge, Rochester Sweeps, Whitchurch, Gosport, Wimborne, South Petherton, Winchester, Romsey Beggars' Fair, Southampton Balloon Festival, Bridport, Christchurch and Fair Oak, plus numerous ceilidhs, folk clubs, civic and commercial events. Loose Screws appeared on national television: the "Down Your Doorstep" spot on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast (an early morning live performance on a traffic island!) and were also featured on Meridian Television with Fred Dineage.
On Friday 19th March 1999 Loose Screws gave their last performance at a sell-out concert at Woolston Methodist Church, Southampton (the team's rehearsal home). Loose Screws went out in style, augmented for the evening by several former members, and were ably supported by the excellent, Southern Lights, a Southampton-based ladies' traditional dance team. (For details of Southern Lights contact Maureen or Barry Wake on 023 8043 2216).
The former members of Loose Screws would like to thank everyone who worked with them and supported them over what were nine rewarding and enjoyable seasons.