The Black Velvet Band

Whilst relentlessly peddling their peculiar brand of Lyric-Driven Dirt-Swing (an incomparable rendering of jive-smitten cabaret blues) Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six have captured the imaginations of every species of listenership – both at home and overseas.
Since forming in late 2006 their music has infiltrated almost every creative niche, being adapted into animated short films, burlesque routines, musical theatre, fringe festival revues, documentary soundtracks, motion picture scores and even a comic strip.
Over the years they have won praise and support from the likes of Supergrass, The Mighty Boosh, Har Mar Superstar, UB40, Mark Steel, The Hell's Angels, BBC Radio and even the Beat Poet biographer Barry Miles – both for their furious onstage energy and Louis' manic lyrical gymnastics.
Their infamous live shows – incorporating rock, jazz, folk and theatre influences – have proved time and time again that the group is at home on any line-up, even sharing the bill with such disparate acts as Motorhead, Sun Ra's Arkestra, I Am Kloot, Eliza Carthy, The Blockheads, Emmanuel Jal and The Buzzcocks. In the last year alone they have toured Europe, the States and Mexico, inspiring stage invasions, dancing in the aisles and a confused mixture of exhaustion and bonhomie wherever they go.
They are signed to co-operative Manchester-based label Debt Records.