What's on: Lancashire Hotpots (From Lancashire Telegraph)

What's on: Lancashire Hotpots

3:20pm Friday 22nd October 2010 in What's on in Lancashire By Kate Turner, Reporter

KNOWN for wearing flat caps and dancing the conga at their gigs, The Lancashire Hotpots are not the most conventional of bands.

Their songs about 21st Century oddities, from satnavs and Myspace to turning Emo, seems to have struck a chord with music lovers and the band now have something of a cult following.

Bolton comedian Paddy McGuinness dubbed them ‘The Spinal Tap of folk bands’ and loved the Hotpot creations so much he invited them to support him on his national tour in 2008.

Bowland Brewery, in Clitheroe, has brewed a Lancashire Hotpot Ale in their honour.

Following the death of founder member Tom McGrath — also known as Willie Eckerslike — in May, the band has restructured with new members Billy McCartney, and Kenny Body jumping aboard in June.

The new line-up is currently on its first tour across the North West — the Ooh Me Knees Tour II.

The tour follows on from their successful sell-out Ooh Me Knees Tour last year, where original members Bernard, Bob and Dickie sang about great Lancashire institutions such as the chippy tea and weekly line-dancing.

“I’ve been a fan of the Hotpots for years so when they approached me and asked me to join, I jumped at the chance,” said the 29-year-old keyboard player Billy.

“The fans are great. They come to gigs with flat caps on, dressed like us.

"At the last gig we had a huge conga line running around the venue. We try to have a conga at every gig — it’s so much fun.

“I love it. It’s great because the audience get involved in the show and we get energy from them.”

Liverpudlian Billy is experienced in the comedy genre, having spent most of his musical career with comedy band Lions and Tigers.

Billy had played on the same bill as the Lancashire Hotpots so when they decided to restructure the group immediately thought of him.

“When I first got on stage with them it was very surreal.

"I had to pinch myself that I was actually there. It was fantastic to hear the audience sing along and know all the word,” Billy said.

“To be honest I was a bit jealous of the success of The Lancashire Hotpots, though I’m really glad to be a part of it now.

“I think we appeal to most people. Even my grandad likes the music.”

Billy has been dubbed the band’s ‘Merseyside correspondent’ with members poking fun at his Liverpudlian accent.

“Some of the fans have chanted digs at me about being from Merseyside. It is all a bit of fun really and I like to play along too.”

Billy admits that since joining there have been a few moments where he has been overwhelmed by being part of the successful band.

“The first time I played with the Hotpots, Dave McCabe from the Zutons was in the audience heckling me. It made me quite nervous.

“Another time we were playing at the Beathearder Festival in the Ribble Valley and we were asked to introduce Mr Motivator on stage. He was exercising to music. It was very surreal.”

The band hope to record some new singles at the start of the new year. So watch this space.

* Lancashire Hotpots play King George’s Hall, Blackburn, on Friday, October 29; Mechanics, Burnley on November 26; Monaco Ballroom, Wigan on November 27; Club Academy, Manchester on December 4; and 53 Degress, Preston on December 18.