POACHERS present songs by the late, largely-long-forgotten English satirist, songwriter and bucolic balladeer, Jake Thackray. Throughout the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Jake’s songs presciently took aim at what we now know as the ‘alpha-male’, the aristocracy, and just about every aspect of the British establishment. His was the voice of the rural-suburban misfit--half-jester, half-scarecrow.
“Born and raised in a gritty suburb of Leeds…. he sang in a deliciously foggy hoot and looked every inch the handsome rake. Revelling in breathtakingly deft wordplay, he was also a subtle, sophisticated guitarist. A song like the riotous Lah-di-dah harpoons a particular parochial Englishness, but does so with real heart…. [ditto] …. The Black Swan, an exquisitely-orchestrated melancholy break-up song….. Ribald, lovelorn or vicious, Thackray's genius…. can finally be celebrated as offering something immeasurably richer than the diversions of light entertainment.” (The Guardian, review of ‘Jake in a Box’)
This show also marks the release of POACHERS’ frontman Mike Targett’s new album ‘SCALLYWAG – Mike Targett Sings Jake Thackray (Again)’. Expect earthy humour and special guests.