Traditional Irish Instrument

Bands that Use the Bagpipes in Their Music
Bagpipes are used across the musical genres and by many mainstream musicians. Some songs and artists are recognizable; others are just waiting to be discovered.

Bagpipes aren’t just for funerals, mass bands, and pub crawls. They can be a powerful compliment to a rock band and a surprising addition to a pop artist.. Bagpipes make a band and its’ sound unique and more fun to listen to.
Rock and Roll Bagpipes
There are many different options for rock and roll music and bagpipes. A good song to start with is the classic AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If you Wanna Rock ‘n Roll). Here are some other bands that more regularly incorporate the bagpipes into their songs:
• Black 47-This Irish rock band was formed in New York in 1989. They use the Uilleann Bagpipes which are Irish small bagpipes. They Uilleann Bagpipes have a different tone than the Great Highland Bagpipes, but are equally enjoyable to listen too.
• Dropkick Murphys-This American Celtic punk band was formed in 1996. They’ve put out 6 albums since than. Their truly unique rendition of Amazing Grace is definitely worth a listen.
• Red Hot Chilli Pipers-This Scottish band formed in 2004 and is made up of world class bagpipe musicians. Their cover of We Will Rock You sets the standard for full incorporation of the Great Highland Bagpipes into mainstream music.
Pop and Punk
A good place to start for songs that are more pop or punk is The Eagles’ 1977 single Mull of Kintyre. For bands that have more of a pop or punk feel check out the following:
• Flogging Molly-This Irish band was formed in 1993 and is based out of Los Angeles, California. They’ve released seven albums including their 2008 album Float which debuted at number four on the Billboard Top 200. On the Flogging Molly’s website, Dave King, one of the band’s founding members says, of his band, “If it didn’t have mandolin, accordion, fiddle and whistle, it would be punk rock, and if it didn’t have guitar, bass and drums, it would be traditional Irish music,” King admits, adding, “You can’t be bothered being labeled.”
• Flatfoot 56-This rising Chicago, Illinois based band formed in 2000. According to their website, most of their shows are improvised, dependent on the audiences, and how quickly band members can swap out instruments.
• Needfire-This up and coming Texas based Celtic rock band has put out four albums since 2005. Their website says of their most recent CD, Chasing Orion, that “Killer songwriting, great guitar work, a rock n’ roll backbeat, catchy fiddle and bagpipe hooks and a mix of eclectic influences drawing equally from rock, folk, Texas blues, and traditional Celtic music, this cd has all the elements that make Needfire one of today’s most distinctive and original bands.”
Other Good Scottish Bands
Other good Scottish bands that don’t use the bagpipes but would appeal to those that enjoy the music of the bagpipes include:
• The Cories-This Scottish folk band was popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s and their renditions of Scottish folk songs is definitely worth a listen.
• The Proclaimers-The Proclaimers formed in 1983 and is best known for “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and “I’m On My Way”.
Most people don’t load up their MP3 players with massed bagpipe bands. But many people are curious about the bagpipes and enjoy their unique sounds. These bands all use the bagpipes in a nontraditional way that appeals to a more mainstream audience.

Thanks for Reading.