Kick Shins had its origins in Berkshire Bedlam Morris. Several dancers from that well known Morris team decided in about 1980 that it would be a good idea to get together and play some music with no other aim in mind than to enjoy it. About six people got together at someone's house and played a few simple tunes. There was a random collection of melodeons, mandolin, fiddles, guitar and drums.
After we had mastered a few tunes we thought it might be a good idea to go public. The first public performance was at the New Leathern Bottle at Jealott's Hill, in the public bar. We had an audience of about two people.
The first performance for a barn dance was in 1980 for the Berkshire Bedlam Bunfight, an annual party organized by the Morris team. In 1981 we performed at our first public dance, a school PTA function in Wokingham. Since then we have built up a steady following and now perform regularly throughout the year at various places around Berkshire and surrounding areas.
The band has undergone many changes of people and style in its history, but still going strong after 20+ years!
| 1981 -1983 | Heel and Toe Band |
| Stuart Barry | Acoustic and bass guitar |
| Jeff Bates | Banjolin, hammer dulcimer, concertina |
| Steve Haines | Harmonicas |
| Ted Mansfield | Caller |
| Pete Townsend | Fiddle |
| Dave Williams | Percussion |
| Ron Withington | Melodeon |
| 1983-1985 | Hat Band |
| Stuart Barry | Melodeon, concertina |
| Jeff Bates | Hammer dulcimer, mandolin, concertina |
| Ray Brunton | Fiddle |
| Nick Cole | Piano |
| Steve Haines | Harmonicas, whistle |
| Ted Mansfield | Caller, tambourine, drum |
| Dave Williams | Recorder, bodhran |
| 1985 -1994 | Kick Shins |
| Stuart Barry | Melodeons, concertina |
| Jeff Bates | Hammer dulcimer, mandolin, concertina |
| Ray Brunton | Fiddle |
| Nick Cole | Piano |
| Steve Haines | Harmonicas, whistle (left 1994) |
| Ted Mansfield | Caller, tambourine, drum |
| Dave Williams | Percussion |
| Liz Goode | Fiddle (1990-1991) |
| Steve Rice | Drums (1990) |
| 1994-1998 | Kick Shins |
| Stuart Barry | Melodeons, guitar |
| Jeff Bates | Hammer dulcimer, mandolin |
| Ray Brunton | Fiddle |
| Nick Cole | Piano, accordion |
| Steve Haines | Harmonicas, whistle |
| Ted Mansfield | Caller, tambourine, drum |
| Dave Williams | Recorder, trumpet, whistle, bodhran |
| 1998 -2002 | Kick Shins |
| Stuart Barry | Melodeons, guitars, caller |
| Alan Barwise | Drums (from 2001) |
| Ray Brunton | Fiddle, hurdy gurdy |
| Nick Cole | Piano, accordion |
| Dave Williams | Recorder, trumpet, whistle, bodhran |
| Tony Lyons | Drums (from 2001) |
| Ted Mansfield | Caller, tambourine, drum |
| Dave Williams | Recorder, trumpet, whistle, bodhran |
| Carlton Hunt | Drums (from 2002) |
| 2003 | Kick Shins |
| Stuart Barry | Melodeons, guitars, caller |
| Ray Brunton | Fiddle, hurdy gurdy |
| Ted Mansfield | Caller, tambourine, drum |
| Dave Williams | Recorder, trumpet, whistle, bodhran |
| PLUS - some of | |
| Alan Barwise | Drums |
| Carlton Hunt | Drums |
| Tony Lyons | Drums |
| Andy Lavery | Keyboard |
| John Whittaker | Bass/keyboard |
| 2004-6 | Kick Shins |
| Stuart Barry | Melodeons, guitars, caller |
| Alan Barwise | Drums |
| Ray Brunton | Fiddle, hurdy gurdy |
| Andy Lavery | Keyboard |
| Ted Mansfield | Caller, tambourine |
| Dave Williams | Recorder, trumpet, whistle, bodhran |
| PLUS - some of | |
| John Whittaker | Bass/keyboard |
| Tony Lyons | Drums |
| Ian Sanderson | Electric fiddle |
| Martin Vincent | Guitar |
| Dave Harding | Bass |
| Phil Fentiman | Bass |
| Julian Bown | Drums |
| Andy Stafford | Caller, fiddle |