welcome to the homeland of druidspear

The Broken Sorcerer Sings Anew

Welcome to the Homeland of Druidspear.  A year ago I was welcoming everyone for the first time and now here we are with progress on our hands.  The last year has been extremely fulfilling and we have managed to keep the website chipping along with new bits of film and old music finding it’s way into the archive.  The ‘Planet Avalon’ e.p. is the start of the next phase proper and we are pleased to announce it’s imminent arrival with a new video for one of the tracks - Black Dog.

For those of you finding the site for the first time, here is an on-going picture of the past/present/future history of Druidspear. The website is a forum for creativity from all sources.  It is a strong feature that art, videos, articles, links and music are encouraged and included.

It has been my privilege to have shared this 20 year journey with a mighty crew of wonderful musicians and a wonderful crew of mighty people.  Getting the band back together was exciting and nostalgic.  Mark O’Callaghan and Tom Currant first started working with me on a new set at the start of last year and then Tom moved back down to Devon for personal reasons.  In stepped Mike Richards from Shrewsbury and along came Andrew Bland from Birmingham and John Curle from Daventry.  These boys attended weekly rehearsals like true troopers and a set was built.  The documentation for this set consists of a couple of videos for a ‘secret’ V.I.P. gig in Glastonbury.  At the point the video was made Lifus Wyrd appeared.  Lifus was introduced to me by Tom just before he left.  Although he wasn’t able to do the gig at the festival he has been an amazing participant.  Lifus is an accomplished musician, artist, sculptor, photographer and lecturer. 
The first results, in terms of his photography, form the basis for the sleeve design for ‘Planet Avalon’.  He even gave us the title!

The festival came and went and I was left needing to put together a completely new line-up.  Although the band that played the festival comprised old members it was difficult to hold together from the point of view of us all being so far apart.  At the festival I was re-acquainted with Sam Hayter whom I had jammed with the previous year.  Our new drummer was secured.  So Lifus, Sam, Mark and myself were then joined by Simon Price on second guitar.  We had some very rewarding sessions until Simon bowed out.  The rest of us then set out to record the new tracks which also feature Taz from ‘Avalon By Bus’ on bassoon and keyboards.  This is where we are at present but the next thing is to start performing live so watch out for us.
 
We will be constantly updating the website and fresh ideas are coming from all sources.
 
Get in on the blog by all means, folks.
 
Here’s to the future
 
Walk amongst the stars
 
James
January 2012

More words and pics on the Planet Avalon E.P. hereSam/James/Mark/Lifus and Simon

The Planet Avalon e.p. More Info.

Listen to The Return of the Broken Sorcerer

A curious by-product of Druidspear the band was The 'd' Files.

A (very) finite number were produced containing articles, jokes, letters, art, adverts and recipes among other things. So please enjoy the representations soon to be included on this site.