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The Stoutfellows, the four piece 'Celtic Rock' band from Christchurch, brimming with energy and strong musical talent, can lay claim to being the best band in their field. Some may argue with that statement. And why not? It is a rather bold one. But after you see the amount of work that The Stoutfellows have put into their craft - the tours, the recordings, and dedication to being the best - perhaps then you'll get a greater insight as to why the band lays claim to being the best in the business of rock 'n' roll (or rock 'n' reel as the case may be!).

This first line up of the band in January 1999 (Dan MacMillan, Nick Laird, Geoff Snowsil and Peter Malthus) recorded and released a self titled CD, The Stoutfellows' first, that went on to sell around 1,000 copies. The album was sold at shows and quickly became a very popular recording in it's own right - still sought after today. But halfway through the year saw the depature of Geoff Snowsil. His replacement came in the form of Scott Spatcher-Harrison, a guitarist for a Christchurch metal band called HUMAN. Nick took over on the mandolin while Scott played guitar and the new line up continued on.

It was after a trip to play in Australia and another tour around New Zealand that original band members Dan McMillan (drums) and Nick Laird (mandolin) announced that they were leaving the band. The fellows picked to replace them were Simon Fox and Andrew Boon respectively. And it was with this new line up in July 2001 that The Stoutfellows picked up steam and played their collective heart out to big crowds around NZ. Along the way the lads obtained backing from Musicworks NZ, the largest musical instrument retailer in the country, and also Jamesons Irish Whiskey lent a well needed hand too! (Thanks chaps!) It was during this time that the idea for album 3 began to take shape.

In February 2002, The Stoutfellows decided to record their next album at one of their favourite LIVE venues - The Jolly Poacher Tavern in Christchurch. On Saturday the 9th of February 2002, they packed the place out and belted out 15 tracks of high energy Celtic Rock, all captured by Rob Mays of Avalanche Studios, and it all boiled down into what was to be the last Stoutfellows CD titled "Stout It Out Loud". The band lost founding member Peter Malthus and release of the album was put on hold indefinitely.

The band hired Amy Sutherland to come in and play bass as a permanent band member but it all came to end on New Year's of 2002 when Scott parted ways with the band and it was agreed that there was to be no more Stoutfellows activity.

Now, The Stoutfellows' next show is to be held in their hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand at The Bog Irish Bar in Cashel Mall (down by the Bridge Of Remembrance)!