SKIN THE PEELER: Celtic Roots Fusion Band
Welcome to the official website of Skin the Peeler, an independent Celtic roots fusion band originally formed in Bristol, England. We combine the raw energy of traditional Irish folk music with progressive rock arrangements, creating a unique, contemporary Celtic sound
Skin The Peeler was a sound hurricane brought about by a mutual love of Celtic music and the extraordinary writing talents of mandolin player Terry Barter and saxophonist Rod Salter. In the early ’80s the band was an essential part of the music scene in their home stomping ground of Bristol and Bath and tipped for success due to their unique take on Celtic Rock. Later in their second and more acoustic incarnation they played major festivals, art centres and folk clubs across the UK. Their legacy is World/Folk/Jazz/ fusion that is unmistakably all their own.
PEELER VIDEOS
Watch more on Youtube on the
SKIN THE PEELER ARCHIVE CHANNEL
FIRST ALBUM LINEUP
The Early Years - 1980's
Their first album ‘Skin The Peeler’ (1984) exploded onto the Folk Rock scene and met with acclaimed reviews. The wildly original renditions of traditional Celtic tunes mixed with almost symphonic original compositions made it an iconic album, way ahead of its time. The second incarnation of the band was born from a desire to move to a more acoustic sound with influences from World Music, while maintaining the frenetic energy and glorious melodic heights of the first album. ‘World Dance’ released in 1991 did not disappoint. The band reached its peak with the release of ‘Friends and Lovers’ in 1994 an album that is still treasured by their many ‘Peeler Pals’ and loved by those lucky enough to discover this unique band.
The First Album
Right Track Records was an independent record label and recording studio founded in Bristol, United Kingdom, in 1982. The label and its studio, Right Track Studios, played a foundational role in capturing the early roots of the famous Bristol music scene, particularly documenting genres like reggae, roots, and early post-punk.
Liam Henshall (frequently credited as William Henshall or "Willy" Henshaw) played a pivotal role in the early career of Skin the Peeler. He was the multi-instrumentalist, engineer, and producer behind their definitive early 1980s music.
Liam was the production force behind the band's self-titled 1984 debut album, Skin the Peeler.
He is officially credited as the producer and recording engineer for both the vinyl LP and cassette releases of that album. It was recorded during the exact same early-80s era when He was heavily involved in engineering tracks out of Bristol's independent studio spaces.
Beyond staying behind the mixing desk, Liam actually joined the band's lineup for their early recording sessions. Album liner notes credit him with: Bass guitar, Guitar and Keyboards. He also played live with the band at a number of Gigs.
Album Spotlight Facing the Sun
Did you know there was a chapter in Skin the Peeler history defined entirely by a four-piece acoustic powerhouse? Nestled right between our first album and the Friends and Lovers era, this stripped-down lineup reimagined what Celtic roots fusion could sound like. With Terry Barter (mandocello) and Rod Salter (flute/sax) joined by the brilliant Rose Hull (cello) and Jason Gaines (percussion), the band unlocked a chamber-folk energy that was entirely its own. The result of this brief, magical alignment was the 1989 album Facing the Sun. Rich, rhythmic, and deeply melodic.It remains a fan-favourite milestone in our musical journey.
FRIENDS & LOVERS LINEUP
The early 1990's
Skin The Peeler disbanded in 1994, a legendary reunion gig 2 years later being their last ever performance. With all the band members involved in other musical projects, Terry Barter (mandocello/mandolin/runrocca) and Rose Hull (cello/lyra/whistles) continued performing as the very popular multi-instrumental duo The Peeler Small Quartet. Terry Barter and Rod Salter, the core of the band’s creative, genius, continue to work together when they can. Other notable band members include Rose Hull -cello, Martin Palfrey - keyboards, Pat Hunter and Richard Ireland- bass, Mike Pryor - mandolin, Liam ‘Willy’ Henshaw, Gerald Davis and Mike Edwards - guitar, Jason Gaines - percussion, Brendan Whitmore - saxophone, Neil Russell, Alan Eden, Tony Hayes, Martin Cleverly and Myke Vince -drums.
SMALL QUARTET PROJECT
The mid 1990's onwards
Terry and Rose formed THE PEELER SMALL QUARTET in 1994.
'ROOM FULL OF WINGS' their highly acclaimed CD was released the following year.
(also known as the Skin the Peeler Small Quartet Project)
an acoustic folk and Celtic fusion musical project formed in 1994 by Terry Barter and cellist Rose Hull. Originally a spin-off of the Bristol-based folk-rock band Skin the Peeler, the group is celebrated for its unique blend of cello and mandocello instrumentation. Formed by Terry Barter and Rose Hull in 1994 following the success of Skin the Peeler's early 90s albums.
The Sound has a distinctive acoustic roots music that centres on a "Celtic Fusion" style, featuring the unusual pairing of cello and mandocello. Their highly praised debut studio album, Room Full of Wings, was released in 1995 to critical acclaim.
While originally recorded in the 1990s, much of their discography has been remastered, reissued, and released across modern streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
The project continues to operate digitally, collaborating with various guest musicians from throughout the history of the original band. You can listen to their tracks or watch archival live performances directly on the official Youtube Skin the Peeler Archive channel or stream their discography via the Skin the Peeler Spotify profile.
The Peeler SmallQuartet
Official Discography
Explore the complete studio recorded history of Skin the Peeler.
Major Album Releases
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Skin the Peeler (1984): Our debut self-titled studio album featuring early traditional arrangements. Featuring fan-favourite tracks like "Dunmoor" and "Finvarra".
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Facing the Sun (1989): A definitive fusion album featuring tracks "Changes" and "After the Break".
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World Dance (1991): 3 Track CD Single featuring "World Dance and "Earthsong".
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Friends and Lovers (1994): A studio collection highlighting our progressive folk songwriting and collaborative arrangements.
As well as CDs and Vinyl, most of the collection is now on digital available on Spotify and Apple music
1994 - Skindependent UK CDSTP101
Friends and Lovers
Format: album CD
and Cassette cassSTP101
Tracklist:
L'Amour De La Vie. El Llanto De La Salva. Celebration.
Wizard Of Rods. The Last Charango In Paris. Continuum.
Angel. Friends And Lovers.
1991 – Skindependent UK CDSTP100
World Dance
Format: CD single
and 12" Single STPEP100
Tracklist:
World Dance. Earthsong.
As Tarzan Said, “It’s a Jingle Out There, Julia!”
1989 – Skindependent UK CASSSTP2
Facing The Sun
Format: album cassette
Tracklist:
After The Break. Facing The Sun. Changes. Towards Tomorrow. Barney's Dixie Lullaby. Coming Home.
Armadillo (I'd Rather Be). Giant's Dance!
A number of tunes from the original cassette have been released digitally on Spotify and Apple Music. Available as singles
After the Break
Facing the Sun
Changes
Giants Dance
Armadillo (I'd rather be)
Watch video of all these on Youtube
'The Skin the Peeler Archive Channel'
1986 – Skindependent UK
The Christchurch Tapes
Format: album cassette
Tracklist:
Aquilla. Capella. Friends. Moondance. Illusion
Not Forgotten. Best Forgotten. Rainbird. Scorpio.
This rare collection features all-original compositions from an interim lineup. Self-published and released exclusively on cassette, the tape showcased the band's more jazz-influenced material. Though used for promotion, it was never commercially distributed.
1984 – Right Track Records STP1
Skin The Peeler First Album
Format: album 12" vinyl STP1
and cassette cassSTP102
Tracklist:
Biddy Early. Giant's Dance. Dunmoor. Sarah and the Dancer. The Bells of Shee Chora. Shee Chora. Beechwood. Julia. Finvarra.
The whole Album has been digitally released
(available on SPOTIFY and APPLE MUSIC)
Including a bonus track:
the tune
SKIN THE PEELER
1984 – Right Track Records 7STP2A
Biddy Early SINGLE
Format: 7" single
Tracklist:
SideA: Biddy Early. Side B Child.
Get in touch
If you have any comments or have material that you would like to share on the website
Please contact Skin The Peeler at
