Well it all started to go wrong for Phil when he scrawled an advert in wax crayon on the back of a shredded wheat and placed it in a local shop window in December 2004. Sadly for Phil that window belonged to his local pet shop and responses to his “musicians wanted” ad, were……….. paw (sorry).

After moving the ad somewhere more suitable Phil was soon contacted by Andy, admittedly it was initially for a quote to re-plaster his back bedroom, but after the confusion had passed it turned out Andy could also play a bit of guitar so 1 became 2.

Phil managed to convince work chums Paul, Neil and Oliver to join his band, apparently on the strength of some frankly damning photographic evidence.

Mark and his multitude of musical talents followed next – rumour has it, that he was also the guy who stole Phil’s lunch money every day for 5 years at secondary school. To this day eye contact between the two of them is kept to a minimum. Mark became Mouldy number 6 but still something was missing.

It was a chance conversation that led Phil to raid the B team of Halifax legends Belt of the Celts next. Here he found Stuart languishing amongst the damp towels, crushed beer cans and smell of ralgex, an excitable young man just desperate for a chance. Stuart completed the line-up.

The first incarnation of the band was 7 strong – The Mouldy Joes had arrived. Armed with endeavour and ambition (in lieu of actual talent) and a steadfast determination to enjoy ourselves no matter what.

3 months later our first gig was completed, as support to Belt of the Celts (thanks guys)

Now a streamlined 6 piece band, The Mouldy Joes have since had many memorable nights both in our own right and in the company of our friends in other local bands. We’ve played in and around Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and as far away as Derby, Retford and Cornwall and if you’ll have us we’ll be more than happy to play for you too. We released our debut CD “Back, Sack & Craic” in October of 2007 with plans for a follow up in the pipeline already.

We play a mix of traditional and contemporary Irish songs (The Saw Doctors, The Pogues, The Dubliners, The Waterboys)  along with some modern classics (Madness, The Specials, The Coral, Ocean Colour Scene) and a host of old favourites too.

All of our music is geared towards getting people dancing and smiling. Hopefully it makes your feet (and the rest of your body) move too. 

ENJOY YOURSELF……………………….. IT’S LATER THAN YOU THINK