Bagpipe Rock

Bagpipe Rock — yes, it’s a real thing! It’s everywhere, if you know where to look for it.

 

Some famous bands have used bagpipes in a song or two. Check out “Sky Pilot” by The Animals. So did AC/DC on “It’s A Long Way To The Top, If You Want To Rock’N'Roll”. (Bon Scott played the pipes, ‘y’know.) Here’s Paul McCartney’s “Mull of Kintryre“. Meanwhile, the Dropkick Murpheys did that most universal of hymns (which was practically written for the pipes).

 

The heroes of Bagpipe Rock, though, are the bands that use the pipes as part of their regular sound. Off Kilter performs regularly at the Canada Pavilion of Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center. Listen to them do “Loch Lomond.”

 

The kings of Celtic Rock and Bagpipe Rock in America are another Canadian band: Enter The Haggis, who played at Jamison and Lindsey’s wedding. Here’s their signature song: “One Last Drink.” They are one of our two favorite Bagpipe Rock bands. Long may they rule!

 

Our other favorite bagpipe rock band is a local Tallahassee outfit: Scots On The Rock. Quite simply, these guys are world-class and deserve fame and fortune. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard them do “Ye Jacobites by Name.” They also do a rousing version of “Crooked Jack,” which, sadly, they have not recorded. (Get it together, guys!)

 

Prydein is another excellent bagpipe rock band. You can play several of their songs on their home page — we recommend “Loud Pipes Save Lives.”

 

Pipers sometimes cover rock songs. Here are three versions of Queen’s We Will Rock You”: in Utah, Edinburgh and Glasgow. This is the bagpipes scene from the Beatles movie, Yellow Submarine. And these pipers did “With A Little Help From My Friends.” Here’s Canada’s greatest Led Zeppelin tribute band with a bagpiper sitting on “In The Light,” because, why not? Last, but not least, here’s The World’s Greatest Busker. Bonus: The Red Hot Chili Pipers (cool name!) play “Smoke on the Water.”

 

Don’t forget to drop in on Ian’s Playlist.