The Hot Seats

The Hot Seats

Based in Richmond, Virginia, The Hot Seats are a 'bubbling fountain of virtuosic insanity'.

Their original music demonstrates a massive flexibility within the band as they move seamlessly between bluegrass, ragtime, oldtime, jugband, and Klezmer, injecting humor and sharp-witted commentary along the way. This is clearly demonstrated in the album, Retreat To Camp Candy Temptation Island, the band's first release under their new name.

In 2008, when formerly known as Special Ed & The Shortbus, they tore the Edinburgh Fringe apart and won a coveted Herald Angel, the equivalent of an Oscar, for their outstanding contribution to the event. The Herald described them as “sensational” whilst fellow Edinburgh Fringe favourites (and stablemates) The Wilders, refer to them as “crazy bluegrass scientists”. This five-piece band features Ben Belcher on upright bass, Graham Dezarn on fiddle, Ed Brogan on guitar, Jake Sellers on bass and Josh Bearman on mandolin and banjo. With a trap set, many kazoos and a whole host of other toys also contributing to their irresistible sound, The Hot Seats are a guaranteed hit with Shetland audiences.