When most people think of bagpipe music they envision a marching band playing traditional tunes like Amazing Grace and Scotland the Brave. But there are many nontraditional ways to incorporate bagpipes into modern music. Rock music in particular seems to have made good use of the bagpipes in their musical genre. Bagpipes are loud, rock music is loud=some very fine music.
The first band I'll mention here is Dropkick Murphys . This is a Boston based band that formed up in 1996. They've got a pretty big following because they tour all over the place. I'm actually going to get to see them before this year is done so I'm sure I'll be posting more on them in the future. One of their songs, I'm Shipping Up to Boston was featured in the movie The Departed. I'm not posting that one here though because the song doesn't feature bagpipes. James "Scruffy" Wallace plays the bagpipes. This song, entitled Tessie features the bagpipes:
Another interesting use of the bagpipes is seen here on Madonna's Re-invention Tour in 2004. Her show was split into five acts, each of which had a different theme and, guess what, one was a a tribal Scottish theme:
Another group that I recently found is Flatfoot 56. This is a Christian punk band from Chicago, Illinois that formed up in 2000. Josh Robieson plays the pipes here:
Finally, here's the band Needfire . This is a Texas based band and it has some world class musicians in it. I also like this band because they really integrate the pipes in with their music, you really have to listen for them:
I certainly haven't covered every band out there that uses the bagpipes. If you have a favorite band that uses the bagpipes please comment, I always like to listen to new bands.
Pipe on!
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13 comments:
Hello, this is the usual anonymous... and I think I will keep this name because I can't find another one... btw, I don't have a blog.
I also appreciate fine "rock'n reel" as well as pipe bands. These bands are really good indeed, thank you for letting me discovering them.
I too am addicted to all things Scottish. I think its awesome that you are learning to play the bagpipes, good luck.
Good to "see" you again anonymous. "Rock'n reel" is a good way to describe them, I've never thought of it in that way before.
Thanks for stopping by Feast of donuts.
This post definitely made me smile :). I'm away at school now, but back home, I played snare in a pipe band for 4.5 years. 'Twas a good time indeed ;). And seeing that you found Flatfoot 56 made me happy too. They're a good time. I'd like to see them live one of these days :). Apparently they're pretty ridiculawesome. And while you're at it, check out Mudmen. They're Canadian and also a good time :)
Hi Fuzzbox, thanks for stopping by. I read your comment a while back but I can see I neglected to respond to it. I'm glad I ran across your comment again because I still need to check out Mudmen.
If you listen closely to the end of the "Needfire" clip you should hear a very familiar tune. Can you name it?
Check out
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good "bagpipe rock" time!
This is an unusual anonymous. A lot of good bands mentioned here, so I will add just one more to check out... Angus Mohr out of Colorado.
check out the MAG 7 band from New Jersey. They rock! Their website is www.magseven.com
here's a link to a youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cshrHakg5hs
Hi! Just wanted to say thanks for turning me on to Needfire. I hadn't heard of them before and they are a great find.
Check out this Dutch band called Scrum. www.scrummusic.nl
This band is really awesome.
Some ducthchguys making some terrific music. They are also some youtube clips. Scrum- The night that paddy Murphy died http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXB6v8kiyfU and Worker's song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpo0qHuKVv8 Enjoy.
I just found your blog and really enjoyed it. I, too am learning to play the bagpipes. I'm definitely adding your blog to my favorites list!
Any chance you know the maker of Scruffy Wallace's pipes? Looked at the Dropkick Murphy's website but didn't see the info.
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