Darwin Ceili Band

Founded 1982

The Darwin Ceili Band are:

Betty Risler - acoustic guitar
Fritz Risler - fiddle
Pat Somers - tinwhistles and melodion
Mike 'Pumping Jack Feedback' Lane - electric bass
Peter Bate - mandolin, banjo, vocals
Sue Ross - dance caller
and many guests and friends of the Darwin Ceili Band...

The Darwin Ceili Band (or Deathless Darwin Democratic People's Ceili Band - DDDPCB - to accord its full title) was established in June 1982, and is the oldest (literally) folk group still extant in the Territory. Original line up was Risler and Rod Drew on fiddles and Pat Somers on whistle and melodeon. Peter Bate on banjo and mandolin joined shortly after.

The band was originally called Tropical Ear, but after incessant nagging by Sean Byrne we let him have the name when he left to form a new group. Several musos have been in the line-up over the years, including, briefly, a lady tuba player. Betty Risler and Mike Lane are also long term band members, and Sue Ross has been dance caller since it's inception. Mike Manhire on squeezebox was a long time member before moving to Tasmania.

One of the DDDPCBs highlights was playing at Elliot and Newcastle Waters for the start of the Bicentenary cattle drive, and later flying by DC3 to Longreach to play for the end of the cattle drive concert at the Stockman's Hall of fame.

The band's history is traced in the song - "The deathless Darwin democratic people's ceili band".

Please contact the Darwin Ceili Band via secretary@topendfolkclub.org

Click here for photographs of the Darwin Ceili Band