Spank The Planks was formed in 1988 and is based in Bournemouth, Dorset. They specialise in Appalachian clog dancing which is a form of American folk dancing that originated in the Appalachian Mountains. The local people developed their own musical sound, playing mainly fiddles and banjos and complimenting the music with a percussive dancing style that used shuffles, taps and scuffs to keep time. The dancing was exciting – very fast and very loud – particularly exhilarating as it was usually done on wooden floors and verandas.
The dancers wear gingham check blue or mauve dresses, each dress with a different patchwork on the bodice.