Traditional Music

Homebrew

George Fenning and Billy Cranston were active in Edinburgh as Broadside, and formed Homebrew in about 1970 with Johnny Cunningham, later of Silly Wizard, while they were still at Portobello High School. They followed The JSD Band around Edinburgh pubs, and played the circuit at the same time as Chorda and Bitter Withy, as well as appearing at the Triangle Folk Club. The name came from George's dad, who brewed his own beer.

Billy Cranston went on to join the group Norfolk with Dick Walinck. Later he moved to Holland, where he lived with his Dutch wife and their daughter. They were friendly with Davey Steele. Billy died in a car accident in Holland in 1984. In his memory his widow ran a folk festival in Holland.

Any further information about the band would be gratefully received (email me).