No, that's not a typing mistake. This isn't an article about The Red Hot Chili Peppers; it's about a hot new band from Glasgow, Scotland called The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
The Red Hot Chilli Piper's website describes them as “bagpipes with attitude.” The band is made up of Great Highland Bagpipes, drums, and a guitarist. They are distinguished by their red sporrans (those bags that hang about their waists), their incredible energy, and their ability to rock out on a very old instrument.
Band History
According to the band's website, The Red Hot Chilli Piper's entered the world stage in 2004 when the played with the headline rock group The Darkness. Since then, they’ve played for the Queen of England, all over England and Scotland, and as far away as China and Thailand. They were introduced to a wider audience as winners on the BBC1 reality television show called When Will I Be Famous.
World Class Musicians
Their website includes details on the world class musicians that make up The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Bagpiper Stuart Cassells was named the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2005. Pipers Willie Armstrong and Kevin Macdonald spent many years in Grade 1 bands.
Guitarist Gregor James’ bright red hair makes him hard to miss. He has played with many other bands including Rhythmic State, The Ted Mckenna band, Rolla and currently fronts his own electro-rock act DANSE OR DIE!
Playing the snare drum is Steven Graham whose musical past includes playing with award winning and world famous The House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band.
Percussionist Malcolm McEwan is the first percussionist graduate from Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Scottish Music course and has played with several grade one bands.
Red Hot Chilli Pepper's Music
Currently, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have released one CD with ten tracks. According to their website, another CD is set to be released soon.
To fully experience this band, you really have to see them in action. They are set to release a DVD sometime around Christmas. On November 15, 2007 they will play at Cipriani’s, a restaurant in New York City and they are scheduled to perform during Tartan Week 2008 in New York City which is March 30-April 7. If you can’t make it to New York, after Tartan Week they are going on a tour that will probably include Boston, Washington D.C., New York City, San Jose, Toronto, Houston, and Los Angeles.
If you can’t see them on tour there are several entertaining videos on their website and on youtube.com.
