Holy Moly & The Crackers

Holy Moly & The Crackers are the innovative and fiery folk-rockers from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, who bombastically mash together unique flavours of soul, rock, indie and Balkan folk. However you describe them, one thing is sure - Holy Moly & The Crackers put on a raucous and feel good party, where everyone is invited, and have become renowned for their blazing live shows:
 
“these six young talented musicians are writing and performing exciting, innovative music reflecting their individual influences while forging a collective band sound – one that is unique and appeals to a wide age range from 7 to 70 years and their diverse music preferences. For a couple of hours, the turbulence, hatred and divisions in society are forgotten and music has become the healer” (American Blues Scene, Live at Sage Gateshead 2019)
 
The band was formed almost by mistake, when Conrad Bird, Ruth Patterson and Rosie Bristow met at a house party in Leamington Spa of all places. They were in their late teens. Enamoured by Rosie’s party-prop accordion, the three decided to start playing music together - mainly stomping folk and drinking songs as an alternative to "SMACK" - Leamington's main student club, that was the only other option for a night out.
 
Moving North, and nearly 10 years on, the band has grown into a rocking 6 piece: with Tommy Evans on drums, Nick Tyler on guitars and Jamie Shields on bass to provide the grunt and diesel. They have released 3 albums and launched their own record label, Pink Lane.
 
Slowly building a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase over the years, the six-piece first tasted success with the release of their 2nd album Salem, when lead single Cold Comfort Lane was picked up by Hollywood and used in the vibrant, stick-it-to-the-man blockbuster Oceans8 in 2018. Since then they have sold out shows across the UK and Europe and graced the stages of innumerable festivals (Glastonbury, Bestival, Colours Of Ostrava (CZ) to name 3 of many).
 
Working again with Salem producer, Matt Terry, they recorded and released their 3rd album Take A Bite in 2019, to raptured acclaim. Championed by Spotify, Radio X and singer-songwriter Frank Turner, it has been described as a “swaggering album that showcases a riotous blend of styles” (Louder Than War). Once again Holy Moly hit the road in full throttle, joining ‘shanty punks’ Skinny Lister on tour around Europe, before appearing at over 30 festivals, before finally undertaking a victorious headline lap of the UK, culminating in selling out their biggest show to date at Sage Gateshead on the banks of the Tyne. Ruth and Conrad also got married. It was a busy year!

2020 saw the band blasting out of the blocks with their new single Road To You, described as “a shot of espresso, that comes loaded and ready to work in a short, sharp shock” The band were set to play 27 dates across 10 countries on their biggest European tour to date, as well as support Frank Turner across France and Germany, and return to Glastonbury for its 50th anniversary. But, well, you know what happened next. Many of their dates have been postponed and rescheduled for 2021. In the mean-time, no doubt they will retreat into their crazy chocolate factory to conjure up a whole load of magical, insane musical treats.