Rhythm Thieves are a lively five-piece folk/rock/reggae band and have been entertaining audiences through mid-England and Wales with their idiosyncratic, self-composed music and silly hats for over five years now.

Apart from seeing them perform at a venue or festival, you can also hear their music by tuning in to the BBC Radio Midlands Sunday Night Folk Show, on which they regularly perform live acoustic sets.

The band were formed in 1996 by Rob, whose advert for "Folk musicians without Aran sweaters" was answered by John (guitar) and Jill (flute). The guitarist was pressed into singing, the flautist into bass playing and the first Rhythm Thieves gigs became a hideous reality. After a couple of short lived bassists, Mark agreed to help out for "just one gig" and has been held captive ever since. Since then, Mark has adopted lead guitar related jobs, which has freed John to play mandolin, banjo and ‘the fool’ as necessary. Bass guitar responsibilities now fall on Phil’s manly shoulders.

• Rock
• Blues
• Folk