Sweet Billy Pilgrim are an English pop band, composed of bassist/banjo player Anthony Bishop, guitarist and songwriter Tim Elsenburg, and drummer/percussionist Alistair Hamer.

The three members met whilst at school, Tim and Anthony are from Wingrave and Alistair from Wendover, both in Buckinghamshire.

Sweet Billy Pilgrim formed in 2003 after their previous band 'Cordisto' came to an end. The name comes from the main character in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse 5, one of their favourite books.^{[citation needed]}

After repeated rejections from both major and independent record labels, Tim bought a Power Book, they installed Pro Tools, and the band began to record themselves. Due to financial restraints, all of Sweet Billy Pilgrim's records have (apart from the acoustic drums) been recorded and produced in a garden shed using a laptop and one good microphone. The band feel this has had a positive influence on their sound.

Their first release was a self funded single featuring hand stamped artwork containing two songs 'Stars Spill Out of Cups' and 'Atlantis'. As of 2009^[update], they have gone on to release two albums.

"We Just Did What Happened and No One Came" was released in 2005 and awarded four stars by Mojo magazine, and The Sunday Times called it, "a rather special debut", making the track "Stars Spill Out of Cups" one of their songs of the year.

"Twice Born Men" was released in 2009 and was awarded 5 stars and made CD of the Week by The Sunday Times. The album was also awarded 4 stars by Mojo and Uncut, and was made a Mercury Prize album of the year for 2009.

Besides their work as Sweet Billy Pilgrim all three members have worked as session musicians having toured as members of Martin Grech's band during the Open Heart Zoo era.

Anthony currently plays electric bass in The Boy Least Likely To's touring band, and Anthony's playing is featured on both The Boy Least Likely To albums.

Tim has recorded, and/or toured with David Sylvian, Steve Jansen, Adem Ilhan and Steve Adey.

Alistair toured with The Boy Least Likely To until 2008, and his drumming is featured on the James Dean Bradfield album The Great Western.

Due to the complexity and layering of sounds used on the recordings, recreating the songs live requires the members to play many different instruments on stage. Anthony plays electric bass, banjo, cymbals and vocals. Tim plays guitar, harmonium, harmonica, and vocals. Alistair plays drums, clarinet, loops, and vocals. They are typically joined live by musician David Preece playing piano, keyboards, samples, tin whistle, accordion, vocals, and square waves.

Albums

• We Just Did What Happened and No One Came - Wonderland Avenue - 2005
• Twice Born Men (2009)

EPs

• "Brugada EP" - Spoilt Victorian Child - 2005

Singles

• "Stars Spill Out Of Cups b/w Atlantis" - Luxor Purchase 2004

• Sweet Billy Pilgrim (Official Website)
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