Fionn McArthur, Orkney – Fiddle.
Fionn is an exciting and versatile fiddler. Taught by the great Angus Grant Snr, he cut his teeth on the Glasgow music circuit. He is one of the first graduates of the RSAMD traditional music course. He also plays in a duo with Gavin. Together they have formed a great partnership playing a variety of local and not so local material.
Douglas Montgomery, Orkney – Fiddle & Mandolin.
Douglas is a rare breed of fiddler who spans many musical styles with ease and whose improvisational skills make him stand out as an exceptional musician. He has performed at many international festivals including Celtic Colours (Canada), Lorient Interceltique (France), Celtic Connections (Scotland), Cannes Film Festival (France) and Celtic Fusion (N.Ireland) with Saltfishforty, Hadhirgaan and The Smoking Stone Band. He is an inspirational teacher and winner of the prestigious Yamaha Instrumental Instructor of the Year 2003 and enjoys gin and slimline tonic.
Brian Cromarty, Orkney – Banjo & Vocals.
Brian moved back to Orkney after ten years "sooth" in 2005, and joined the band shortly after. Originally a guitarist, he is now as likely to be seen with a mandolin or Banjo in hand. He is the other half of Saltfishforty with Douglas. He's also known for playing with local band The Silver Penguins.
Robert Gibbon, Lockerbie – Accordion.
The only non-Orcadian in the band, Bob was brought up listening to the delights of Robbie Shepherd and when he came to Orkney settled right in to the Orkney folk music sessions. Having developed a style owing more to playing with fiddlers than accordionists, Bob has become an integral member of the band who also writes some great tunes.
Gavin Firth, Orkney – Acoustic Guitar.
With a truly original style, Gavin has been an inspiration for many other Orcadian guitarists. His imaginative progressions are huge part of the Lazy Boy sound. His folk band "Tulliementan" ran for many years and played to many satisfied audiences around the isles. In the run up to the millenium, he was commissioned to write music for the commemorative Orkney Folk Festival CD. He is a prolific composer and dedicated musician.
Chas Milne, Orkney – Bass Guitar.
Another highly respected musician, Chas has played with various Orkney bands over the years, and also plays with local band Hivida, although he insists he prefers The Chair. Chas is a cornerstone of the band whose rock solid bass playing gives the band a lot of its groove.
Erik Laughton, Orkney – Drums.
Erik provides the youthful exuberance of the band with energetic, but controlled drumming keeping the whole sound together. Erik is in high demand as a session musician playing bodhran and other percussion on several highly acclaimed albums. He is also an award winning joiner.
Robbie Thomson, Orkney – Percussion.
Robbie has traditionally been a rock drummer with various local Orkney bands. His rhythmic skills are made use of in The Chair, playing congas, djembe, shakers and more recently, triangle. He is also a member of Hivida where he also sings backing vocals. A talented musician with an ear for a groove.
Influences
Lemmy, Billy Jolly, baked beans, Highland Park, the A Team, Fred Flintstone, Barny Rubble, piles of rubble, piles of money, pile cream, Jimmy Shand, The Mighty Dons, Elastoplast, Orville the duck, Creamola Foam, and Mr McEwan's 70 shilling elixor to name but a few.
Sounds Like
Take a riot of fiddles, 2½ stone of accordion, clanky banjo, sprinkle guitar on top and other things – drums and percussion to taste. A bit of bass. Go on, a bit more. A pinch of salt, half a teaspoon of fun. Then mix it all up. Play it loud. Lovely.
Actually, it's probably playing right now, so I don't need to tell you…
A long ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Someone said "Tune?" and "The Chair" was born.
Put together for the Orkney Folk Festival in 2004, the Lazy Boys have since gone from strength to strength. Winners of a coveted "Danny" award at the 2007 Celtic Connections Festival and voted "Folk Band of the Year" at the 2008 MG Alba Folk Awards. All this, along with the release of their long awaited debut album "Huinka" has made for a busy time for the band and has seen them in high demand, bringing their high energy "stomp" music to festivals the length and breadth of the UK, as well as the odd sortie into Europe. From Shetland to Stokes Bay, Stornoway to Cambridge, or Brampton to Belgium, they have set the dance floor alight wherever they have appeared. This year promises to be another good one with the gig diary filling up fast, so watch this space, they may be appearing in a hall, a tent or even a field near you!…
"Raw anarchic energy underpinned by impressively tight delivery: a true party band with depth, heart and ample collective talent." — Sue Wilson, Folk Music Critic
"Their energy, sound, talent and interaction with the audience was second to none." — The Shetland Times
"They rocked it up triumphantly to close the show, their big, brash sound embracing everything from dub to zydeco." — The Scotsman
Hello from Wales! We have just posted a new song on our remixed page,The Transporters Remixed. "Machine" is the first track Steve and i have worked on in a while. You can find it on The Transporters profile in the top friends. Please check it out sometime and let me know what you think. There is also a "almost" new tune on our main profile called "Her World"- this is a remix that Jules the bass rocked up in his London studio. Steve has been busy updating our website for us, its looking good and will be up and running soon, our debut "Transported" will be reavailable and we will also be releasing our 2nd Lp "My Escape". The-Transporters.com will have exclusive remixes, new videos, galleries and our shop will be back. We will you keep you updated...Grace.xx
John Jones track 'Searching For Lambs' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 7th October 2009. Live on air on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. Tonight we re-vist the fabulous Shrewsbury Folk Festival held over the August Bank Holiday. The full play list is now up on my blog.
The Chair track 'The Folky Gibbon (Live)' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 7th October 2009. Live on air on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. Tonight we re-vist the fabulous Shrewsbury Folk Festival held over the August Bank Holiday. The full play list is now up on my blog.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hey, Saw you on the Hebridean Celtic Music Festival last night! Great to see on on the box and brought back fab memories from the summer. Looking forward to some new stuff and hope to see you next year! Helen XX
September 1:st our 1:st single, Dare To Lick (Hunter's Red Sleeve), from our upcoming album SILENT REVOLUTION,was released and is available on iTunes but also on our MySpace of course!
The album will be released October 1:st and later that month we go on tour in Germany with The Movements.
Just to say I really enjoyed all your gigs at Shrewsbury and the workshop and the sessions, you were brill!! =) look forward to seeing you again soon!! Thanks!
It took a while for the tent to fill as people were coming from the other one at the start of your set, which meant the response was maybe a bit muted to begin with. Take it from me though, it was rockin'...
Saw you at Towersey, brilliant gig! I thought Edward II would be a hard act to follow, but you did, and some. I bought your CD fantastic :-) Best wishes, Janet. Thanks very much for the add. Hope to see you again soon.
Hope you guys enjoyed the Towersey experience. They took a wee while to warmed up but man the joint was jumpin at the end. Thanks for making the big trip sooth. I know how far away it is. Cheers now. d. x
Guys, saw you last night at Towersey. It was an absolutely great set you did, but the encore sent the crowd wild (and they were fairly wild to start off with!); Highway to Hell (!!!) with Douglas playing the guitar solo on the wah wah fiddle, followed by Folky Gibbon (my fave). Bloody marvellous!!
Couple of questions though; how did Brian break his Banjo, and have you all managed to get some rest now, after three consecutive festival gigs?
I was the big bald bloke stood in front of Brian and did the arm actions to Cluck Old Hen to show my Chair credentials. Come down south again soon!
Hi F - I don't think I'll be able to get to these festivals - I'm so busy with DIY and stuff at home, and can't take any more leave for the rest of the school holidays. :-( Hope you have a great time at the festivals though!! x