Also on the site you can indulge in a little Nostalgia as we look back at the glory days of folk music in Birmingham in the 70s and 80s and enjoy the changing hairstyles and clothes. There are also some reflections on the folk clubs that we have either run or have played at as well as a section on some of the great musicians, comedians and friends that we have met and performed with over the years.
Have a browse through the various links and if you have any old photos or want to add to the info, drop us a line.
There is also a Malfunction My Space site which has a few songs uploaded and the odd video clip or two. Visit
http://www.myspace.com/malfunctionfolk to have a look.There is also a Facebook
page.
Latest News
6th April 2010 - There were some pictures taken at the BMG Rally concert that we played at a couple of weeks ago. We can't show them on the web site...being asked to pay to display photos of ourselves...bit much!! However, you can follow this link to view them yourselves!! Banjo Mandolin and Guitar Rally Concert
18th March 2010 - Hi All. A couple of weeks ago we played at the Banjo Mandolin and Guitar Federation's Bi-annual festival weekend. We kicked the procedings off with a support spot with Gordon Giltrap doing the guest spot. The evening was a little strange as an organisational problem meant a shortened set which threw us a bit!! Suffice to say that when you completetly forget a song that you have been playing for 25 years then we might have been a bit distracted (that's being kind!). Anyway - nice to see Gordon again - I first met him 37 years ago!!! Great Player and a much bigger pedal board than I have!!
9th January 2010 - We now have a Malfunction Facebook page. I have invited a few people to be "Fans" whatever that means. Anybody out there with pictures of us who would like to upload them??
8th January 2010 - We've recently had a great email from John Mitchell. Those of you on the folk circuit around the same time as us will remember John as being the organiser of several Midland folk clubs including Grimstocks, The Late Night Folk Club at The Rep, Furnace End Folk Festival and several others. John was reminiscing with us about the Birmingham Folk Scene in the 70s and 80s and put me right on a couple of points in our Nostalgia section. John is now living in The Phillipines. Should anyone like to drop him a message his email is john_mitch_mitchell@hotmail.com
25th December 2009 - Happy Christmas. If you have read through the site you will know that we have performed many times with the late Jake Thackray. Well, it's a bit late for last minute Christmas presents but there has been a live DVD released " Jake Thackray Live at the Unicorn" that sounds great. If you want further info about this visit www.jakethackray.com to place your order.
25th December 2009 - There are a couple more videos on the My Space site also taken from the Crescent show in 1998 - both were new songs for us at the time - Nothing Ever Happens (with assistance from Chris's daughter Anna!!) and Big River. They are both still new songs!!
13th December 2009 - The next gig...albeit 3 months away...is at the Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar Festival Rally Evening Concert along with Gordon Giltrap. It's at Edgbaston School for Girls on Friday March 5th 2010 at 7.30. You can find out more by clicking Banjo Mandolin and Guitar Festival Rally The concert is open to non members and tickets can be bought from the phone number on the above link.
13th December 2009 - There's a nice bit about the Bromsgrove gig that Alan and Glynn have put on the Dandy Web Site together with a photo. Alan took a few photos but we haven't seen them yet - wonder if the camera is still working. Why not have a look at Dandy's site www.dandycomedy.co.uk
28th Nov 2009 - Many thanks to everybody who turned out to the gig at Bromsgrove Folk Club last week - especially all the old friends. It was great to see many of the regulars from the Princes Corner club that we used to run as well as friends from the old "folk scene", Norman Wheatley and out old mates Dandy! Alan and Glynn said they had never seen us from the front!! It was a great night with a lovely audience who joined in the songs and indulged in the nostalgia. We were a bit nervous at first not having played for 10 months but soon settled into it.
25th Nov 2009 - Malfunction at the Bromsgrove Folk Club - Thursday Nov 26th. Club starts at 8.15pm. Looking forward to seeing old friends!!
31-10-2009 - Coming Up - One of those very rare occassions that is known as a Malfunction gig!! We are on at the Bromsgrove Folk Club on Thursday 26th November. See www.bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk for all the details of how to get there to witness this infrequent event!!
30/5/2009 - Confirmation of a new gig...in March 2010! We are supporting the great Gordon Giltrap at the Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar Festival and Rally at Edgbaston School for Girls in Birmingham. If we start rehearsing now we might just be ready by then!!
4/5/2009 - Clare, Barney and the rest of Team Barnard successfully completed the London Marathon - Well done to everybody concerned - now go and have a lie down!!
10/4/2009 - MySpace have increased the number of songs that you can upload so there are a four more Malfunction tracks to have a listen to! Hangman and You Can't change the World are from BBC recordings in 1979!
28/3/2009 - It appears that the myspace site is getting quite a few hits and the songs are being played. Why not drop us an email or a message if you visit the site - comments on the music are optional!!
28/3/2009 - Had a great email from Dave (Duke) Ashton recently. Dave was our bass player from 1976 to 1981 and is now a full time musician and performer going out under the name Duke Ashton. He has a web site for you to check out www.dukeashton.co.uk . In his email Dave reminisced about some of the strange things that happened to us in the early days (most of which I remember quite clearly!). It was great to hear from him again.
22/3/2009 - We have been in touch with the Bromsgrove Folk Club who have booked us for a gig next November. It will be good to renew a few more old aquaintances when we go there.
21/3/2009 - Thanks to everybody for making the gig at St. Mary's such a success. Chris's daughter Clare and boyfriend Christopher are part of "Team Barnard" that are running (walking!!) the London Marathon this year to raise funds for the Brain and Spine Foundation . Thanks to the generosity of everybody who came to the gig, who donated the raffle prizes (and the bike) and to Andrew who played such a great set we raised over £1000. You can check out the charity and why we are involved by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/teambarnard