Tim Hughes learns about one of Oxford’s grisliest chapters courtesy of blues rockers Swindlestock

ALMOST 750 years ago, an incident took place in an Oxford pub which was to rip the city apart and lead to one of the darkest episodes in its history.

The date was February 10, St Scholastica’s Day. The location, The Swindlestock Tavern at Carfax. And the event? A group of students complaining about the quality of the wine.

The ensuing altercation between the landlord and scholars escalated into a brawl, a riot, then running battles between Town and Gown, which left up to 30 townspeople and 62 students dead.

The Swindlestock Tavern has long since gone – its location, on the site of what is now the Santander bank, marked only by a plaque – but its name lives on in a suitably energetic bunch of musicians.

Playing bluesy country-rock, Swindlestock may sound like they’ve stepped out of the American Deep South, but they are Oxford through and through. “We are an Oxford band and our name represents that,” says percussionist Tim Aspin, from Littlemore.

“People are often surprised when they find out the meaning behind our peculiar name, which doesn’t quite slip off the tongue. And it’s an interesting tale.

“Fortunately the only thing we have in common is the name – though we do like a party afterwards! “Despite our name, we don’t sound like an Oxford band. In fact, when we played The Cellar, off Cornmarket, people thought we were American. We sound folky and country but also upbeat and bluesy.”

The eight-piece are an impressive live spectacle. The group was recruited by frontman and singer David ‘Dava’ Waterhouse, who says he now has the perfect line-up.

As well as Tim, the band features drummer Alex Ogg, lead guitarist and banjo player Garry Richardson, singer Fern Thornton, guitarist and trumpeter Ed Thornton, bassist Andrew ‘ Alf’ Ferrero and fiddler Trish Emeny – and a formidable sound they make too. “We have been very lucky,” says Dava.

“Considering the band was largely recruited online we have got some great musicians with interesting, and very different, backgrounds and personalities.

“You can recruit a band and make music but not like each other, but, considering we are such a large band, we all get on well together and have a lot of fun.

“We are also a mixture of Town and Gown – though mostly Town!”

Next Friday the band descends to the 11th century Crypt of Oxford Castle for the Oxford Times Live & Unlocked show. The night, which marks the 150th anniversary of the paper, will see the band performing a candle-lit subterranean set in the supposedly haunted space – previously used to lock-up prisoners prior to their execution.

“We are really excited,” says Tim, who also plays in a flamenco duo with Alex on guitar. “We will be stripping it down in the Crypt and playing more of an acoustic set than we usually do – which should work really well with the acoustics down there. It will be more subtle and less loud; upbeat but toned down.

“It’s a very special location. It will not be an ordinary pub gig.”

“Personally, I’m really going to enjoy it. Rocking stage sets are great, but this is more us. I love getting up close to the audience. It allows us to feed off the energy and warmth of the place as well as the history of the location – which is only a short distance from the old Swindlestock Tavern.”

So what can people expect?

“We are lively and play all our own songs. “We really enjoy what we are doing and totally connect with the audience. We are good improvisers and are full of energy. “We are buzzing about this gig and can’t wait to get down there!”