|
|
Tel: 07779499416 |
Shindig,
North East Scotland's most popular ceilidh/function band, are a "dynamic
fiddle driven powerhouse of modern
celtic rock". For well over ten years they have
built up an enviable reputation,
playing venues from small
villag
e halls to large concert stages, leaving behind
a trail of exhausted dancers, wondering just how the band's caller managed
to persuade them onto the floor, but all glad of the experience, and the exercise.
And it's been an interesting journey. Highlights include Hogmanay 2005 when the band played their biggest gig so far in Aberdeen's Castlegate
to a crowd of 25,000 enthusiastic revellers,
supported by a pair of folk-singers from Fife... and the following Hogmanay playing for a select gathering at the Strathdon home of a certain world famous comedian...
Shindig newcomers can be taken aback by the powerful music the band deliver
from such a compact unit. Traditional reels and jigs featuring dazzling fiddle
are given a modern rocky edge allowing the musical tastes of the band to surface
in the arrangements. Hints of reggae, funk and jangling pop add a contemporary
feel to the sets, but this never get in the way of their traditional purpose...
..dancing. Gay Gordons, Strip The Willow, Dashing White Sergeant, Canadian Barn
Dance, Boston Two Step, Riverside Jig, Eightsome Reel and much more all delivered
with a bit of a funky groove and jangly pop.
Shindig's versatility also allows the band to cover a wide range of pop and
rock music. The Beatles, Kinks, Monkees, 60s Soul, Crowded House, Elvis, Oasis,
Travis, Andy & Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Johnny Cash and many
more are likely to appear, often in the same song! A list of what you might
expect to hear is at the foot of this page.The band also thrive on spontaneous
audience requests which can lead to some unlikely musical mixes. Accepting most
of the blame is guitarist/vocalist, Graham
Stephen, a sad strumming encyclopedia of pop music who has at last
found a use for all those years spent lost in a wilderness of CDs, tapes and
dusty vinyl. Graha
m also claims to have a career as a singer/songwriter - see www.grahamstephen.co.uk - a talent
which often comes in handy when his ageing brain cells make if necessary to
"rewrite" the odd classic.
Back in the lineup once again is well known North East fiddler Sandy Tweddle, acknowledged as one of the best ceilidh fiddle players around. Ceilidh lovers with long memories will remember the great early days of Shindig when a young and dapper Sandy would light up the stage in top hat and tails, full highland dress or even leather trousers. In many ways it was Sandy's fiddle playing style that helped create Shindig's distinctive sound and it's great to have him back.
Add one of the most renowned rythmn sections in Scotland and you can begin to understand why Shindig are one of the most popular bands in Scotland. Bass-man Mike Rae and drummer Dave Innes are simply the best around.
The strong musical lineup is always supplemented by some of the finest dance callers and players available - among them the tireless talents of the singular Selwyn Roberts, the sophisticated style of Peter MacCallum, the lyrical fiddle playing and soulful vocals of Colin Campbell and many more - all chosen to suit the occasion.
The band's CD The Rolling Waves,
released June 2003, features some great new tunes from previous fiddler Sharon
Hassan, three songs by Graham, and the band's exciting reworking of traditional
& contemporary tunes. Available from www.hardstonerecords.co.uk.
You can also hear samples of the band's music at Myspace
If you have a taste for energetic ceilidh music, nostalgic 60s covers or atmospheric celtic rock Shindig are the band for you.
Contact Information
Mobile 07779499416
E-mail: info@shindigband.co.uk
Shindig Covers List - a sample of material the band have been known to play, the list is always changing
Dock Of The Bay
Superstition
Kiss/Alphabet Street
Chasing Cars
Honky Tonk Woman
Brown Eyed Girl
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Sweet Home
Alabama
That'll Be The Day
Oh Boy
Shining Star
Suspicious Minds
Wipe Out
Maggie May
Take it Easy
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Hound Dog
Blue Suede Shoes
Dirty Old Town
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Weather With You
Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Wonderful Tonight
Wild Mountain Thyme
Daydream Believer
Six Days On The Road
Twist & Shout
Wild Mountain Thyme
Fisherman’s Blues
500 Miles
Saw Her Standing There
Hey Jude
I’m A Believer
Nothing At All
Just The Way You Look Tonight
Don’t Know Why
Mustang Sally
Wonderful Tonight
You Really Got Me
Mustang Sally
Hard To handle
She’s The One
Bad Moon Rising
You Do Something To Me
Last Train To Clarksville
Folsom Prison Blues
When The Stars Go Blue
Moon River
Sweet Home Chicago