I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring. – David Bowie
The Hedrons
I had an amazing journey with The Hedrons, a punk/rock band that formed in 2005 in Glasgow
We released three singles on the Glasgow based label, Measured Records. Two singles went top 5 and one went top 20 in the Scottish Chart. Our debut album One More Won't Kill Us was released on 5 February 2007.
We toured America 3 times and travelled extensively across the UK, Germany, Austria and Ireland between 2005 and 2008.
After a 16 year hiatus we, re-released One More Won't Kill Us on vinyl for the first time in October 2021 through Last Night From Glasgow and in December 2023 we released our second album which we decided not to release in 2008. It was like opening a time capsule, hearing all the studio work for the first time since 2008 and with some additional guitar and vocal works added from Rosie and Tippi.
Lola in Slacks
5 piece Glasgow band fronted by Louise Reid. We released our debut album in 2021 in the middle of a pandemic! Despite the circumstances, 'Moon Moth' is stunning piece of work that we are all immensely proud of.
The songs are written by Reid and guitarist Brian McFie and brought to life with the help of Davy Irvin (bass), Fiona Shannon (keys) and myself on drums.
“Together, they make Lola in Slacks swing like Serge Gainsbourg on a booze cruise down the Seine.” Gus Ironside – Louder than War
Snowgoose
I was honoured to be asked to drum for Snowgoose's album-number-3 release shows in October 2024. Beautiful music and lyrics by Jim McCulloch and Anna Sheard. The band are all members of Belle & Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub, Arab Strap & The Soup Dragons so it was a great musical experience to play alongside them and be part of the new album celebrations as a player and a fan.
Broken Chanter
I've been standing in on drums for David MacGregor (Broken Chanter) and band since February 2021 when required. I love getting the chance to play these songs as I was a fan of the band before the opportunity to drum came along!
Altered Images
I played drums for Clare Grogan and her all-girl line up from 2012 - 2021. We played regularly across the UK and beyond, bringing hits like, I Could Be Happy, Don't Talk to Me About love and of course Happy Birthday, back to life.
Here is clip from the BBC Quay Sessions in December 2019:
The Laurettes
I have been playing drums regularly with the Scottish-folk/pop group at the many UK festivals appearances they've had since their debut album "Meet Me At The MainStage" was released.
Their sets are lively and engage audiences of all ages! Support the band by buying their album here:
Awards
In September 2007 The Hedrons were nominated for a BT Digital Music Award and we found ourselves in the same category as Dave Gilmour, Robbie Williams, Stereophonics and The Rakes. Our feat as the first ever European band to play a live gig in the virtual world, Second Life earned us the nomination. The glitzy event was held at the Roundhouse in London where we partied hard alongside many of our idols.
We were also lucky enough to be invited to the Kerrang! Awards show In London where we mingled with the hardcore rockers - many of whom we'd played with at Download festival.
TV & Radio Appearances
I appeared on Tubridy Tonight in Ireland with The Hedrons playing out the show and also on a Channel 4 documentary about Isle of Wight Festival. The Hedrons music videos received numerous plays on MTV....back when people watched MTV!I've played live sessions on the Janice Long Show on BBC Radio 2, featured on Steve Lamaq's show on BBC Radio1, XFM, Radio Scotland (Vic Galloway, Bily Sloan, Tom Morton), and appeared on various other regional BBC stations across England and Wales.I have had recent appearances on STV, BBC and in the Sunday Herald regarding my work with a 10 year old autistic student who suffers from selective mutism. I was interviewed on the Kaye Adams show about the work I do with this student and how music can be used as therapy.I also appeared on STV news re the work I do with Mind Mosaic, a Greenock charity where I teach group of women survivors of childhood abuse. You can watch the news piece here:
Teacher of the Year
I was absolutely delighted and overwhelmed to receive the Inverclyde Community Champion Teacher of the Year Award 2017! This was in recognition of the work I do with kids and adults who's drum lessons have become an outlet for them.
It was also to recognise that I am inspiring young people to take up the instrument and follow their dreams - something I always encourage. Learning can happen outside of the classroom and I think it's refreshing that this has been highlighted via the award.
I work on my own from my studio and I'm just delighted that my efforts have been recognised when I'm very much on the periphery of the usual learning routes for young people. Thank you to the Greenock Telegraph who sponsored the awards and for the continued support.
Live & Tours
I have played at several UK music festivals including Download Festival, T in the Park and Isle of Wight. I also have numerous UK tours under my belt. I toured America three times also appeared at SXSW, Canadian Music Week and Quebec City Music Festival. In 2007 I toured Germany alongside the Pigeon Detectives and The Wombats. In California, I toured with Social Distortion playing sold out shows at House of Blues venues across the state and Las Vegas. During my stay in America I was part of a series of Club NME gigs and featured in an article in NME (UK) written by Alan McGee of Creation Records. I also appeared on the catwalk at Dressed to Kilt in New York in 2007 with my band mates.
Support Slots
I have been lucky enough to support the Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones and Alice in Chains and played to 15, 000 in Quebec supporting Billy Talent. There's been many others over the last 20 years or so but Ii won't bore you too much!
