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Bagpipe warning
If you've managed to catch roots punk outfit Whisky
Chaser you'll know that a good time is guaranteed for all. A good
friend of mine, Ray Slegg, caught their New Year's Eve gig at The
Steamboat in Ipswich and has been banging the drum about them ever
since. Their debut album "Rantin' & Rovin'" gives some of the
all-time Celtic greats a total re-spray and although we have heard
their sort of approach before (take a bow The Pogues, The Men They
Couldn't Hang, The Levellers and local heroes Salt Dog) the addition
of the bagpipes has given Whisky Chaser a different feel.
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I must admit just the thought of bagpipes normally
sees me diving for cover. The Wings chart-topper "Mull Of Kintyre"
certainly didn't help in that respect. But in the hands of Stripey
"Mac" Doog the bagpipes have certainly given the band their own
identity and thankfully don't dominate proceedings. Red Flag 77's
John "Fanny" Adams leads from the front with his trademark spikey
guitar sound and it all hangs together very nicely in the hands of
five musicians who're clearly enjoying themselves. Take it from me
it's not easy to reproduce the excitement of a live gig onto CD but
Whisky Chaser have more than managed it. It's also a nice touch by
the band to include the voice of Steamboat landlady Val Bint calling
time at the end of the final number. Val's been a staunch supporter
of the Suffolk music scene for many, many years giving several
bands, especially the younger ones, their first opportunity to play
in public. Through thick and thin she's kept the faith. The Whisky
Chaser CD comes highly recommended and so too does their website
www.whiskychaser.net
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