http://www.enterthehaggis.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enter_the_HaggisEnter The Haggis is a Canadian world celtic rock band based in Toronto, Canada. Commonly called ETH, the band has been playing and recording since 1996. Their latest studio album, Soapbox Heroes, was produced in conjunction with Grammy award winning producer Neil Dorfsman. Their style mixes elements of celtic, bluegrass, blues, jazz, folk, ska, punk and prog-rock, as well as mainstream rock.
The name is a reference to the diverse nature of the band's sound. Like Haggis (the food) the sound of ETH is a mixture of diverse and unusual elements, brought together to create something new.
Since its birth in 1996, ETH has kept a rigorous concert schedule, playing in wide ranging venues in Canada, Europe, and the United States. They have made appearances at such events as the Folk im Schlosshof in Bonfeld, Germany, the Vancouver Island MusikFest in Vancouver Island, BC, Irish2000 in Albany, New York, The Central Florida Scottish Festival in Orlando, Florida, Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, PA, Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, and Chicago Irish Fest in Chicago, Illinois.
Discography
* Let the Wind Blow High, 1998
* Aerials, 2001
* Live!, 2002
* Live at Lanigan's Ball DVD, December 2003
* Casualties of Retail, 2004
* Soapbox Heroes, July 2006
* Northampton (Live), May 2007
Lineup/Gear/Etc:
Brian Buchanan
* Instruments: Vocals, Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Piano
* Gear: Violin by Franz Langhammer, Bow by G. Werner, Thomastic Dominant Strings, Alvarez Acoustic Guitar
* Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario
* Influences: Anything interesting
Craig Downie
* Instruments: Vocals, Highland Bagpipes, Acoustic Guitar, Tin Whistles, Jew's Harp, Harmonica
* Gear: Glencoe drones, Dunbar chanter, Boss Chorus pedal, Reeds by The British Shop.
* Kilt: Walking kilt, Ancient Lindsay tartan.
* Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland
* Influences: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Early Genesis, Martyn Bennett
Trevor Lewington
* Instruments: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vox
* Gear: Fender Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha Acoustics, Marshall 900 series, Elixir Nanoweb Strings (light gauge).
* Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
* Influences: Jag Tanna, The Edge, David Gilmour
Mark Abraham
* Instruments: Bass Guitar, Vox
* Gear: Lakland Joe Osborne Skyline 5 string, Euphonic Audio IAmp 600, Aguilar 4x10 Cabinet
* Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario
* Influences: Tony Levin, Leland Sklar, Brian Minato (Sarah McLachlan), Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra)
James Campbell
* Instruments: Drums
* Gear:8 piece UDrum Custom Maple Kit, Sabian & Zildjian Cymbals, Tama Iron Cobra pedals
* Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
* Influences: Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band), Paul DeLong (The Code), Neil Peart (Rush), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Buddy Rich (The Buddy Rich Big Band), Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra), Christian Tanna (I Mother Earth), Dave Weckyl (The Dave Weckyl Band/Chick Corea), Steve Wilson (Freelance)
TV Appearances
The PBS Special
In July of 2003 the band played a show to about 20,000 people at the annual Mayor's Cup festival in Plattsburgh New York. At the show, the band was approached by two gentlemen in the TV industry who proposed the idea of filming a live show and releasing as a DVD special to PBS (a network with whom they had many connections). In December that year, the band returned to Plattsburgh and recorded 2 nights of shows at Plattsburgh State University's "Hartman Theater" to throngs of ETH fans. The special was released months later to PBS and aired on many stations across the US. The DVD is available for purchase from the band's website.
A&E Breakfast With the Arts
In 2006 the band performed two songs on the award winning show. "Gasoline" from Casualties of Retail and "One Last Drink" from Soapbox Heroes.
Live with Regis and Kelly
On March 16, 2007 the band performed two songs in front of a live studio audience. The songs were "One Last Drink" a song by Lewington with a Celtic flavor from their latest album Soapbox Heroes, and "Minstrel Boy" a distinctive rendition of a familiar Irish tune. The latter song appears on their previous album, Casualties of Retail. The band was selected to perform because their distinctive celtic sound fit well with the approaching St. Patrick's Day.
