The last generation GM5 were almost the definitive English Ceilidh band - and will be considered even the more so after their dispersal in 1996.

The Gas Mark V of the CD Jump! sought to bring an eclectic mix of music into high energy whole, the result made for a some excellent tunes and a lively dance. With Guizers that music has fused, is more laid back, and appears with a greater swing - having a saxophone in the line-up has a lot to do with this. Gas Mark V were a worthy successor to the highly esteemed, but sadly demised, Ran Tan Band.

It probably was the definitive Ceilidh band for experienced dancers, ones who do not need a foursquare fixed beat to fit their feet to. Gas Mark V didn't necessarily give this, the rhythm is looser, and thus requires more thinking when dancing.

GM5 people are now playing with for Stömp and the new Saxophony and Chalktown

For more details and a more definitive history, Trevor Bennett has put together the Stories and Histories of Gas Mark 5 (now on the wayback machine).

Recordings

Gas Mark V

Gas Mark V, 1988, Festival C2, Cassette only.

Side A

  • Mad Moll (Trad arr GM5)
  • The Lafayette Two-Step (Trad arr GM5)
  • The Weasel in the Grass (C R Taylor) / Policemen Prowl (Bob Davenport)
  • The Bog Road (Trad arr GM5) / Blackwall Tunnel (C R Taylor) / Bad Boys of Dunkirk (C R Taylor) / Martin O'Connor's (Trad arr GM5)
  • The Lads in their Hundreds / (Houseman / Butterworth) / Battle of the Somme (Trad arr GM5)

Side B

  • Margaret's Waltz (Patrick Shuldham Shaw) / Tell Her I am (Trad arr GM5) / Mr Crow's Jig (C R Taylor) / Joseph Taylor's Favourite (C R Taylor)
  • Dogma (Derek Pearce)
  • William Kimber's (Trad arr GM5)
  • Lena (Mewes) / What you do with what you've got (Si Khan)
  • Drummond Castle (Trad arr GM5)
  • The Hogmanay (A Rankine)

jump!

Gas Mark V, 1991, Regul02 CD, Regular Records

  • The Waterloo dance / Knocknaburragh Polka (Trad arr Gas Mark 5)
  • Cognac au Poivre / Anything for JohnJo (Trad arr Gas Mark 5)
  • Jump at the Sun (John Kirkpatrick)
  • Bromsberrow Heath Reel / Pigtown Fling (Trad arr Gas Mark 5)
  • Star above the Garter / My love is gone and I care not (Trad arr Gas Mark 5)
  • Marigold - A Mazurka (Terry Mann)
  • Hasty Marriage (Terry Mann)
  • The Rent Rebate (Terry Mann)
  • Kippers in the Post (C R Taylor)
  • Dill Pickles Rag (Chas Johnson)
  • Pheasant in the Coal Shed (C R Taylor) / Gypsy hornpipe (Trad arr Gas Mark 5)
  • Jackie Daley's / The Last Chance (Trad arr Gas Mark 5)

Guizers

Gas Mark V, 1994, Regul03 CD, Regular Records

  • The Runaway Pig (M Davidson)
  • Orlando's Return (Trad arr GM5) / Farewell my Ugly (M Davidson)
  • Rory's Kip (M Davidson)
  • The Rat's Whiskers / Nights at the Circus (M Davidson)
  • Banks of the Ching (C R Taylor) / The Kitchen Girl (Trad arr GM5)
  • That's the Rain on again / Camping Weather (M Davidson)
  • The Tempest / Vilnius Tanze (Trad arr GM5)
  • Not a Penny left / The Last Bus Home (M Davidson)
  • The Duke of Perth / The Battle of Aughrim (Trad arr GM5)
  • Breton Gavotte (Trad arr GM5) / The Aireys Regret (D M Blackmore)
  • A Rock and a Wee Pickle too (Trad arr GM5) / Andy McGann's (Trad arr GM5) / Billy the Fish (C R Taylor)
  • Nobody cares for me (M Davidson)