Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a Scottish Celtic rock group formed in 2002 and known for a style they call “Bagrock”, which combines traditional bagpipe music with rock and folk material. Their lineup includes players such as Dougie McCance, Gregor James, Willie Armstrong, Cameron Barnes, Steven Black, Marco Cafolla, Stuart Cassells, Steven Graham, Ben Holloway, Kyle Stuart Howie, Stevie Lawrence, Kevin MacDonald, Malcolm McEwan, Craig Munro, Gary O'Hagan, Chris Pugh, Chris Russell, Kyle Warren and Gregor McPhie.

Style and repertoire

The band builds its performances around pipe tunes alongside contemporary rock and pop songs. Their setlists include versions of tracks such as AC/DC’s Long Way to the Top, The Who’s Baba O’Reily, War’s Lowrider, Coldplay’s Clocks, Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars, Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You, Queen’s We Will Rock You, and a medley of Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water and AC/DC’s Thunderstruck. They also perform traditional pieces such as Flower of Scotland, Amazing Grace and The Hills of Argyll.

Releases

By the time of the available information, the group has three albums, including Bagrock To The Masses and Music for the Kilted Generation, as well as the live album and DVD BLAST Live!. BLAST Live! is issued on REL Records in 2009, and Bagrock To The Masses is released on REL Records in 2008. Music for the Kilted Generation appears as a later release in the band’s catalogue.

Recognition and live profile

Red Hot Chilli Pipers win Scotland’s Live Act of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2007 and 2010. They also win the primetime TV talent show When Will I Be Famous in 2007. Their live reputation grows through appearances and touring in places including mainland Europe, the Edinburgh Festival, Glasgow’s Piping Live, Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The band also supports the Scottish rugby team at the World Cup during one of their tours.