Loose Screw

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Graeme Taylor and Denise Black

Vibrant, kooky and harmonic folk rock with its roots firmly in the tradition of entertainment
A recession ago Denise Black (Queer as Folk, Coronation Street) was an alternative cabaret darling, meanwhile Graeme Taylor was playing in left wing folk-rock band ‘Home Service’.
They played the same stages but never met.

Things changed a couple of years ago when they were both involved in the same production at Chichester Festival Theatre. Denise took Graeme sailing under the stars in her boat.
She taught him knots and he taught her chords and they started writing together.

Adventure on a Low Sea

I Only Wanna Be With You

In their first year they recorded 14 songs and played a sell-out week at The Pizza On The Park. (Buy the CD!)

In August 2010, Denise MC'd a Midnight show at Edinburgh Festival. GT, Max Moonlight and a bevy of guests came for the ride. They were chaotic, they were joyful, and every night the joint jumped.

This year they have been playing The National Theatre Foyer regularly. A crowd gathers, heads start nodding, feet tapping, hearts pumping and kids stop pestering parents.

In May Denise and Graeme play The Cromer Folk on the Pier festival with their band The Loose Screw.

Graeme founded ground-breaking band Gryphon in 1971, which Melody Maker dubbed '13th-Century Slade', appearing at Madison Square Garden and the Houston Astrodome, and commissioned by Sir Peter Hall to write music for The Tempest at the Old Vic. Their reunion last June at the QEH, was a sell-out.
In 1977, Graeme joined Ashley Hutchings’ Albion Band, later The Home Service featuring John Tams' great songs and vocals and Graeme's English-style brass arrangements.
He has been Rolf Harris' guitarist for 17 years, with whom he has appeared five times at Glastonbury, and has played countless West End shows. He was Bill Bryden's MD at the National Theatre on The Mysteries, and also produces albums in his home studio.
The Home Service will be reforming this summer to play major festivals.

Graeme Taylor

Although she is better known for her acting, before Queer As Folk and Corrie she worked in music theatre and bands. She met composer/writer Paul Sand with Actor's Touring Company and toured the globe. Road weary, she started singing Paul's songs on the 'alternative cabaret' scene. She got her first acting break at the Newcastle Playhouse and met Josie Lawrence and Kate McKenzie. Their love of late night carousing led to the all-singing, knee-capping Denise Black and the Kray Sisters and 3 further years on the road. In the 90s Denise concentrated on TV while her kids were growing up. Now grown, Denise is back from 3 months with Calendar Girls and TV such as Robin Hood, Sensitive Skin, Casualty, Small Island. She won MEN best supporting actress as Mrs Bryant in Roots. Graeme and Denise met singing Greek folk songs in a stage show.

Denise Black

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Loose Screw

The Loose Screw regularly play as a duo and a 5-piece, currently working with Andy Dewar (drums and percussion), Alan Dunn (piano and accordion), and Dedi Madden (bass and guitar).

We also have a tradition of introducing guest musicians and vocalists.

A huge thank you to: Ben Grove, Michael Gregory, Cleo Hindler, Kate McKenzie, Max Moonlight, Laura Pauling, Hedi Pinkerfeld, Clare Taylor and the Dovetail Quartet.

The Band