Preview: The Groanbox Boys, The Oval Tavern, Croydon

There are acoustic-guitar- picking folk groups, there are accordion-pounding Gypsy troupes, there are harmonica-blowing blues combos and gourd-banjo-frailing world-music troubadours; there are even, probably, musicians who carry six-foot-high percussion sticks around with them. But there is surely no musical partnership that brings all of the above together as bracingly as the Groanbox Boys.

Next month sees the start of Cory Seznec and Michael Ward-Bergeman's third UK tour in two years. Having slogged around the pub circuit of England since 2005, picking up many admirers for their soulful melodies, gutbucket rhythms and witty lyrics, the two Americans will now be playing larger venues and extending their schedule to include Scotland. "It's a sign that the energy we've been putting into the tours over the past two years is coming back to us in positive ways," says Seznec.

There are also plans to record their third CD in Scotland, with their Edinburgh-based producer, Cory's brother Yann. "We want to absorb the things that happen on the road and then let it come out in the studio, rather than going in with stuff prepared," says Ward-Bergeman.

And the Groanbox Boys' crowd-pleasing "Freedom Boot" percussion stick (which is lined with 420 rattling bottle-tops) is not the only thing that is going to get shaken up on this tour. Seznec's banjo and Ward-Bergeman's accordion will be complemented by the output of the Canadian percussionist Paul Clifford. Their curious mélange of country blues, New Orleans boogie, Appalachian reels and African-influenced instrumentals will have a new acoustic texture. "Paul will be playing a plethora of strange percussion, including a large section of a yew tree, a giant calabash and the Freedom Boot," says Ward-Bergeman.

"It is remarkable we still exist in this cruel industry," says Seznec. "We are convinced that there is some other force at play that is keeping this project going."

1 May, then touring to 7 June (www.groanboxboys.com)