MUSIC / THE OYSTER BAND : Out of Their Shell : New album has only one cut from another artist: ‘The Bells of Rhymney,’ popularized by The Byrds.

The Oyster Band used to be named for some Celtic pub that you couldn’t pronounce even if I could spell it. They were the Whitstable Oyster Company Ceillidh Band. Under any name, they are one of the premiere pub rock bands, sort of like the Pogues with good teeth, if you will. And Ian Telfer plays fiddle like most rock stars play the guitar. The band incorporates cello, banjo and accordion plus the usual guitars to make the Oyster Band sound.

The Oyster Band’s new one, “Deserters,” is their first in three years. Known for performing an eclectic collection of covers by such diverse acts as Richard Thompson, the Pogues and the Velvet Underground, the band usually ends their live shows with a raging version of the Bobby Fuller Four biggie, “I Fought The Law.” “Deserters” on Ryko, has only one cover, “The Bells of Rhymney,” written by Pete Seeger and popularized by The Byrds on their debut album in 1965.

Oyster music touches on a wide variety of subjects--from Thomas Paine to growing up in Scotland, saving the planet and the bizarre shoe fetishes of dictator’s wives.

Long labeled a folk band, but now a folk rock band or a rock band with folk influences, the Oyster Band is known for their wild live shows, one of which will be at the Anaconda Theater in Isla Vista on Saturday night. Smooth singer John Jones discussed the Oyster Band in a recent phone interview.

It’s been a while since the Oyster Band has made an album--what have you guys been doing?

Yes, it was quite a long break. I really don’t have a definite answer or good reasons. We ended up touring with June Tabor after our last album, then we spent a long time working on this one. We started on it 12 months ago. Ryko wanted some input as to who was producing. I can’t believe 2 1/2 years went by. We’re a good live band and we’ve been doing a lot of festivals in Europe.

What was it like playing in East Europe?

It’s grim at the moment. They’ve got freedom, but so what? They’ve got no money. They can’t afford a decent car, whatever. When we played there before, you could almost feel the oppression bubbling under. It was almost like they needed us because they needed something different. The people that came to see us didn’t want the old way no way. They’re like Third World refugees in their own countries.

So how did the Oyster Band get started?

Just getting drunk and playing sessions at University at Canterbury, coming out of punk and getting into traditional music. We wanted to be the best fiddle band in the world. We were just a loose collection of players doing wild Irish drinking songs. This was in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s, but the band really became a full band in 1986. The Pogues and Billy Bragg were happening then. Billy put us on a London show with him then took us on a U.S. college tour.

Is it the kiss of death to be associated with folk music?

I used to care what the press wrote about us because I used to think “we need them.” But we play to four times as many people as read their papers--we don’t need them. I don’t care what they say. With a national press goes a feeling of invincibility. The writers think they are the stars, and more and more people are choosing not to read. They say things like “If any folk band is going to make it, and they won’t, it would be the Oyster Band.” We write good songs; you’d have to be a fool to deny it. We’re a rock band with folk roots.

Is your band in competition with all those guitar bands like Ride, Blur and the Jesus & Mary Chain?

At the moment, there’s definitely something else happening over here. All those gazers, intense, brooding, tuneless rock music--maybe it’s just the uncertain time. The folk thing won’t go away. We have a party every night and go for it. It’s not what you play, but how you play it. Who needs another guitar band?

Are there any happy bands in the U.K.?

No, we’re not. I like the idea of dark lyrics with up music. I think the music has to be intelligent and up. I think accordions and fiddles make people feel good. We’re like the new generation of hippies, but we’re hippies with attitudes. We’re into dropping out but not being pushed around.

And regular trips to the barber shop.

Yes, hippies with short hair in T-shirts with attitudes.

How many times has the band toured America?

This will be the fourth time. It’s the hardest country. It’s like medieval warfare. We take it city by city. The country is so big, but I enjoy traveling around with a large group of people that I really like. It’s pretty unbelievable when we play. The older folk crowd stays in the back, basically fearing for their lives. It gets pretty wild in the mosh pit.

You know, you’re right; dictators’ wives do seem to collect shoes. Why do you think that is?

I don’t know, but it’s absolutely unbelievable. Those women are absolutely shameless. Most of the people in those countries had no idea what was going on. The people were told to save and work hard. They were just unaware of the incredible corruption.

Do you think anyone remembers Thomas Paine?

God, I hope so. The guy’s spirit has got to be around somewhere. I mean, all that for this?

Would Margaret Thatcher or John Major wear an Oyster Band T-shirt?

Only if we had kidnaped them and forced it on them. I wouldn’t let either of them wear one of our shirts. The only thing I’d give them was a noose.

So, what’s next?

Upwards. We’ve got an incredibly busy year. We’ll be doing several festivals in Europe. We’re happening in Spain, especially the northern part where the Celtic influence is still strong. Then, we’ll probably have a few drinks over Christmas and make another album. We know what we’re about now. I feel it’s happening now.

* WHERE AND WHEN

The Oyster Band at the Anaconda Theater, 935 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista, Saturday, 9 p.m. Tickets are $8. For more information, call 685-3112.