About us

About the 309s

he 309s are first class, hard-working musicians and deserve every encouragement through these hard times….Bookers, venue owners, get on the line to these boys; they’re very good.”
Maverick Magazine.

West Yorkshire 5 piece, The 309s, have spent the last 14 years rocking and rolling their swing jive repertoire at events all over the country. Think Hank Williams, Bob Wills and Louis Jordan joining forces to make a classic 20th century sound that is the roots of Rock and Roll. Crowds have danced the days and nights away to the 309s’ beat at an extraordinary range of festivals and gigs.

What we do
There's been one hell of a lot of popular music recorded since gramophones were invented.  So much to choose from...

The 309s take their pick of songs mostly from the southern States of America, in the years between 1925 and 1955. This gives us quite a range of music, from Western Swing ("jazz with a cowboy hat") created in Texas by Bob Wills, right through to Rock 'n' Roll's early days in Memphis, Tennessee.  On the way we take in sub-genres such as country boogie and jump blues songs, now popular with jive dancers.  No wonder, who can keep their feet still to Big Joe Turner’s “Shake Rattle and Roll”?

We took these wonderful songs, we worked out what makes them tick, and now we use our instruments and skills to play them the best way we can.  So was created the unique 309s sound, and it gets your feet jumping. Some are fast, a few are slow and romantic, and the rest are played with just the right pace and swing so you can dance all your favourite fancy moves.

Since 2015 we have been adding our own songs to the mix. Created to sound like classics from the 40s & 50s, you'd be hard pressed to know which is old and which is new. Whichever it is, we're going to give you a good good good good time!

Here’s what the reviewers think
“Good humoured debut pays tribute to the greats of real country music…. It’s quite obvious the guys love what they’re doing and I imagine they are a real down-home good time act seen live…The 309s are first class, hard-working musicians and deserve every encouragement through these hard times….Bookers, venue owners, get on the line to these boys; they’re very good.”
Maverick Magazine.

"THE 309s : Halfway to Heaven - what if paradise was hidden in the Yorkshire moors? Well with this English quintets' music you're nearly there. This group expanded with a new blues style vocalist in 2012 but it's the violin which is the real heart of the 309s. It shifts from one swing style to another, drawing in the double bass, complimenting the guitar. The style of these musicians from the centre of England never turns melancholic. You rock, you swing with jubilation all the way through the 13 tracks from the 40s and 50s. To make your mouth water a bit, let's just mention Yes Sir, My Window Faces South, This Little Girl's Gone Rocking, See You Later Alligator, I've been Everywhere. A group worth checking out as quickly as possible!"
Cri Du Coyote, France

“Fiddling and swinging without being pervy”. That’s how one member of the band describes their music. Another is a little more forthcoming, explaining that what they play and love comes from 40’s and 50’s America: the all-too-short tunes, written for radio-play, that preceded both rockabilly and rock and roll. Optimistic, ironic, lively and very, very danceable.
The band is made up of a fiddler who can fly when the mood takes him, not to mention singing or playing the trumpet; a guitarist and lead singer with an Elvis-like stance and charisma to match; a stand-up bass player with a glorious baritone; a rock steady drummer, playing the startling wooden drum kit he made himself and a singer, in her shimmering 50’s Vogue frock with such a voice: from light as a feather to an uvula rattling growl.
At the New Inn they treated a packed house of regular fans and the local Saturday night crowd to 30 numbers in two sets over the best part of three hours. The band’s passion for their genre and their musicianship were self evident in how they played and the fun they themselves were obviously having. Laughing on stage with each other and the audience? Whatever next?
The dance floor heaved for the entire second set, and rightly so. A shame that pub acoustics aren’t always kind to lyrics, which are such an important part of this kind of music.
If you’re a punter treat yourself and go and see the 309s. If you have a venue, book ‘em.
How Do magazine

If you want a swinging good time, we are the band for you!

Each band member is steeped in musical experience...

Rod Boyes-Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica
For many years Rod’s stunning vocal has been the main attraction in bluegrass and Cajun bands. Now he has added lead guitar and harmonica to his rock solid rhythm playing and fronts the 309s with his astonishing versions of familiar and hidden classic songs.

Rod's other job is making high quality leather cases and accessories for musical instruments, under the name of Pinegrove Leather. Everything is made from scratch in his workshop in Hebden Bridge. https://www.pinegroveleather.com/

Ian Tothill - Fiddle, Lap Steel and Trumpet
After stints with country, rock n roll, cajun and skiffle bands Ian takes lead fiddle into new territory with his love of swing style and musical experimentation. A few years back he tried out the lap steel with startling success, and gave a whole new dimension to the 309s sound. Caution: Occasionally plays trumpet with variable proficiency, usually resulting in enthusiastic applause.

John Murphy-Double bass, vocals
Anchoring the 309 sound is the steady pulse of John’s bass. He shifted from guitar to bass many years ago and has never looked back. With his background in Folk, Cajun and Bluegrass he brings a variety of styles to his playing. He has even been known to play some slap bass or add his growl to the backing vocals.

Tim Spencer-Drums
Tim is able to create an amazing variety of sounds from a single snare drum. His years keeping jazz and blues bands together pay off for the 309s, by making sure that the dancers' feet stay flying. In our early years, Tim was limited to a snare drum, hi-hat and a large suitcase with a foot pedal attached. We now allow him to have another couple of cymbals and a real bass drum - a 1920s marching band monster. There is usually still room for the old suitcase on stage though, along with its raggy old 309s decal.

Nancy Varo - vocals
Funny and raunchy, Nancy brings electrifying lead and harmony vocals to the band. She previously led her own self-named jazz quartet and sang with a ska band. She now adds the 309s' swing sound to her repertoire, both as a solo vocalist and also providing sweet harmonies.