Still Popular After 30 Years - This Tells You Something (Battlefield Band in general)

Member Name: splodgethecat

Product:	Battlefield Band in general
Date:	25/08/01 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good time music, Excellent musicianship, Must be good to carry on for so long

Disadvantages: None

This vibrant band was founded in 1974 and is inspired by Scotland’s rich heritage of Celtic music. To say they have been around for almost thirty years, they sound as fresh today as they did in the beginning. They have been at the forefront of fuelling Scotland’s lively cultural scene not to mention bringing forward a resurgence in the great Scottish folk music revival.


Their un-swaying popularity and continuing freshness might be due to the numerous line-up changes they have had over the years, including a very recent one this year. Also, Battlefield Band don’t only play traditional Celtic music, they draw in contemporary music with a social bias and band members are responsible for penning many of their ‘hits’, which are then taken up by other folk musicians and popularised throughout the folk scene. Basically they are a fusion of old and modern, with a definite Scottish sound.


Something that has made Battlefield Band’s sound so distinctive over the years, is that although there have been many different members over their thirty year lifespan, (so far) there has always been the inclusion of the highland pipes in any one band line up. (If you have never heard their rocking bagpipe version of Bad Moon Rising - you really don’t know what you’re missing.) Mike Katz does the honours at present.


They are named after the Glasgow suberb of Battlefield where the band was formed by four students in the early seventies. Over the years they have been one of the most travelled bands on the folk scene, having played all over the world, (literally) for example Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, U.S.A., Egypt, Holland, Sweden, Austria, Canada, Italy, Syria, Jordan, and of course the British Isles. This, of course, tells you that their music has a *massive* appeal to all cultures and all people. Therefore, those who reckon they ‘don’t like folk music’ might have
to think again after having listened to this fabulous combo. I have seen them perform live on quite a few occasions, therefore, as you would imagine I have seen a number of different line-ups too. However, although this means that they have had different ‘sounds’ over the years, their core of quality has always remained.


Talking about live performances. Well, they are brilliant! I can’t say much more than that. The musicianship is always excellent, the songs and tunes are punctuated by bursts of humour, they are very entertaining to watch (the band members work really hard during gigs) and they are loved by ALL ages. Kids love them because of their up-tempo songs with pounding bagpipes and mad fiddling, old people love them because of their gorgeous ballads and as for everyone in between - well, Battlefield really do have something for everyone.


The band has, since 1997, had a line up of;

Alan Reid, on keyboards and vocals
John McCusker, playing fiddle, whistles, accordion, cittern and keyboards
Davy Steele on guitar, bouzouki, bodhran and vocals
Mike Katz who plays the small pipes, highland pipes, whistle, guitar and bass

However, in 2000, Davy Steel had to pull out because of illness and had to be replaced at short notice by other musicians who stepped in to fulfil tour obligations. Tragically, he eventually succumbed to cancer and passed away in April at the young age of only 52. Eventually a new full time band member was drafted in, Karine Polwart, who is a fine singer, songwriter and guitarist. It is a long time since there was a female in the band, but it’s not the first time.


Some of the other members who have been in Battlefield over the years are very well known folk artists in their own right. Some joined the band from other well-known groups; some went on to forge solo careers for themselves after leaving Battlefield. Some of the more legendary once-me
mbers of Battlefield are (and these are by no means all of them, I am including only ones that I have seen play whilst in the band) :-

Brian McNeill
Very talented musician who still tours solo. He also writes and produces and has written a novel recently.

Ged Foley
Who played for a long time, and still does I believe, in The House Band, but who lives in the U.S.A. these days. He also plays with the Irish band Patrick Street.

Alistair Russell
A Leeds lad who has played in various bands and who also performs solo. He is involved in a music shop specialising in traditional instruments.

Dougie Pincock
Don’t stand near him while he has those bagpipes in his hands, you’ll get deafened! He now teaches traditional music, does a lot of session work and is a member of a number of ceilidh bands.


There are a number of other members who have been part of the band throughout the years and I think that is has helped them to stay so good for so long. With new ideas, input and playing style every time a new member takes over where someone else left off, a new, fresh injection of life goes into the band. Their latest album is called Happy Daze and marks Karine Polwart's debut as lead singer. I don’t yet own this album, so it would be futile trying to do a quick review. Needless to say though I’m sure it won’t be disappointing.


In a nutshell, Battlefield Band play haunting ballads all the way through to rocking reels and it is definitely Celtic music at it‘s best. They are a band that could appeal to *anyone* not just folk aficionados. Maybe the last thirty years or so was just a warm up? There’s no reason why they can’t go on another thirty years and more! And I, for one, hope they do.

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