Birkenhed were formed albeit loosely in the summer of 2001 by John Brindle, Symon Brownlie and Neil Houghton.
It began with the three of them playing covers and writing songs just for fun. At this stage they were an acoustic outfit, rehearsing in John's front room two or three times a week. After a short time it was obvious that they had something a bit special, with John's unique guitar style and Symon and Neil's vocal harmonies. They soon realised that it would be a wasted opportunity if they didn't complete the outfit with some drums and a bit of bass, and start gigging their new material. The search for a bass player was brief - about half an hour to be exact - as he was right under their noses...
Enter Mr Davy Gallagher, a barman in the band's local drinking establishment and unknown to John, Symon and Neil, a pianist of many years turned guitarist. On hearing about the band's requirements for a bass player, Davy offered to help out and give the bass a try. Six years later he is still "helping out" and is now a very competent bass and guitar player (but no longer a barman!).
Next came the search for a drummer. Should have been easy, as after all drumming is basically hitting something, preferably in time, with two wooden sticks. The first three drummers came and went due to the usual musical differences, lack of commitment and so on. Eventually, it all fell into place when Birkenhed were playing a small pub gig one night and a number of the band's loyal fans turned up. Again, unbeknown to the band, one of these loyal fans, Jay Harrison, was a drummer who, at the end of the night, and with a considerably higher alcohol level than when he entered the pub, asked if he could play a number with the band. They agreed. After playing The Arctic Monkeys modern classic "Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor", Birkenhed knew they had found the missing piece of the jigsaw. A few days later Jay went to a rehearsal, played the set and was gigging with the band a few days later. Birkenhed was, at last, complete.
Birkenhed's sound has been described as anthemic indie rock with strong vocal harmonies and sonic overtones. This unique sound is enjoyed by not just their die-hard fans but by all that have been lucky enough to have seen them perform.
It began with the three of them playing covers and writing songs just for fun. At this stage they were an acoustic outfit, rehearsing in John's front room two or three times a week. After a short time it was obvious that they had something a bit special, with John's unique guitar style and Symon and Neil's vocal harmonies. They soon realised that it would be a wasted opportunity if they didn't complete the outfit with some drums and a bit of bass, and start gigging their new material. The search for a bass player was brief - about half an hour to be exact - as he was right under their noses...
Enter Mr Davy Gallagher, a barman in the band's local drinking establishment and unknown to John, Symon and Neil, a pianist of many years turned guitarist. On hearing about the band's requirements for a bass player, Davy offered to help out and give the bass a try. Six years later he is still "helping out" and is now a very competent bass and guitar player (but no longer a barman!).
Next came the search for a drummer. Should have been easy, as after all drumming is basically hitting something, preferably in time, with two wooden sticks. The first three drummers came and went due to the usual musical differences, lack of commitment and so on. Eventually, it all fell into place when Birkenhed were playing a small pub gig one night and a number of the band's loyal fans turned up. Again, unbeknown to the band, one of these loyal fans, Jay Harrison, was a drummer who, at the end of the night, and with a considerably higher alcohol level than when he entered the pub, asked if he could play a number with the band. They agreed. After playing The Arctic Monkeys modern classic "Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor", Birkenhed knew they had found the missing piece of the jigsaw. A few days later Jay went to a rehearsal, played the set and was gigging with the band a few days later. Birkenhed was, at last, complete.
Birkenhed's sound has been described as anthemic indie rock with strong vocal harmonies and sonic overtones. This unique sound is enjoyed by not just their die-hard fans but by all that have been lucky enough to have seen them perform.
