Albannach (band)

Albannach, Scottish Gaelic for "Scottish," is a band formed in 2005 in Glasgow, Scotland. Their traditional music is heavily percussive, driven by bass drums, bodhráns, and a single bagpipe. Albannach released their first album, the eponymous Albannach, in 2006. Since, the band has independently released four additional studio albums and frequently performs music at Highland games, Scottish festivals, and Celtic cultural events across North America and the United Kingdom. With little exception, Albannach's discography is instrumental, though several vocal songs are included in live shows.

Albannach
Albannach live at the Edinburgh Festival, 2006
Background information
OriginGlasgow, Scotland
GenresScottish traditional
Years active2005–present
LabelsAlbannach Music
Associated actsClann An Drumma
Websitewww.albannachmusic.com
MembersJamesie Johnston
Donnie MacNeil
Jacquie Holland
Drew "DidgeriDrew" Reid
Nick Watson

The band championed the cause of Scottish independence during the 2014 independence referendum, releasing an EP titled Independence to support the "yes" vote. Some songs, such as A'Maighdeann Bharrach (The Maiden of Barra), are sung in Scottish Gaelic.[1]

The band has been used as extras in a Discovery Channel documentary retelling of ancient history.[2]

After a 2011 show at the Glasgow Highland Games in Glasgow, Kentucky, band member Jamesie Johnston was stabbed in the midsection and leg by a drunk and belligerent fan, leading to his hospitalization.[3] Johnston made a full recovery, and the person in question was charged with first-degree assault.[4]

Members

Current members
  • Jamesie Johnston – bass drum, backing vocals (2005–present)
  • Donnie MacNeil – bag pipe, additional drums (2005–present)
  • Jacquie Holland – lead vocals, bass rhythm drum (2005–present)
  • Drew "DidgeriDrew" Reid – didgeridoo (2005–present)
  • Nick Watson – drums (2019–present)[5]

Former and intermittent members
  • Kyle Gray – drums (2005–2009)
  • Colin Walker – drums (2009–2018)
  • Aya Thorne – bodhrán, tambourine (2005–2015)
  • Davey "Ramone" Morrison – bodhrán, backing baritone vocals (intermittent)[6]

Works

Discography
October 11, 2008 at the Maryland Renaissance Festival

Studio albums

Live albums

Video
  • Albannach Unleashed: Live At Grandfather Mountain (2006)
  • Circa B.C. (2007)
  • Scotumentary (2014)

References
  1. "Lyrics | Albannach Music". Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  2. Buescher, James (22 June 2008). "Traditional Scottish group Albannach bangs the drum loudly". LNP (newspaper). Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  3. Loviza, Amanda (6 June 2011). "Fan stabs band member". Glasgow Daily Times. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  4. Story, Justin (7 December 2011). "Man gets 12 years for festival assault". Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  5. "Albannach". Electricscotland.com. Electric Scotland. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  6. Charles Runnells (Jan 23, 2009), "6th Celtic festival to cut wide swath", The News Press, The band features award-winning bagpipe player Donnie MacNeil (nicknamed Bullfrog for the way his neck muscles expand when playing), and not one but five drummers: bass drummer Johnston, bass rhythm drummer Jacquie Holland, lead drummer Kyle Gray and bodhrán players Aya Thorne and Davey "Ramone" Morrison (the only American in the group)
  7. "Folk Scene: Albannach, Dick Gaughan, and Ossian", Newsnet Scotland, 31 October 2011
  8. "Evolution EP", Albannach Official Website, 30 December 2019
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