Artist description Smokin' bagpipes and driving percussion make for a unique sound. Arrangements incorporate traditional, rock, bluegrass, and a little jazz and new age. There's nothing else like it.

Music Style Bagpipe and Dums

Musical Influences Tannahill Weavers, Rare Air, Bagpipe bands

Similar Artists We don't sound like any mainstream artists. Pretty unique.

Artist History Formed in 1987, the band was originally called "Clandestine. It was comprised of Lars Sloan, E. J. Jones, Randy Wothke, and J.W. McCormick. They quickly established themselves in the Renaissance circuit playing mostly traditional pipe and drum music.During the Summer of '93 E.J. Jones left to attend Carnegie Mellon University. Thomas Campbell was brought in to fill the role vacated by E.J.. With help from the band, E. J. was flown in to guest perform with them one weekend during Texas Renaissance Festival that year. After T.R.F., Lars, who had started to become involved with the movie industry, decided to pursue a full time career as a Special Effects Artist. J.W. McCormick left about the same time. By the Fall of '94, Lars, with his new career blossoming, chose not to return to the lineup. He also chose to reserve the right to the use of the name "Clandestine" in the future. The remaining members needed a new name, and Sharon, Randy's wife, suggested the "The Scottish Rogues". The band adopted the name and thus "The Rogues" were born. The lineup now consisted of Randy, Tom, E.J. (who by this time had returned to Texas), and Paul Rendon. During this first year together as "The Scottish Rogues", they did not record any albums. It was during this year that Bryan Blaylock first introduced himself to the "refurbished" group. He had acquired a bodhran and was learning to play on his own. In the Summer of '95, Paul and E. J. Jones left the group. E.J. contacted Jennifer Hamill, whom he met while attending Carnegie Mellon University. They contacted Lars and together formed a new group using the "Clandestine" name. The remaining members of "The Scottish Rogues", Randy and Tom, invited Jimmy Mitchell and Bryan to join the group. They recorded their first album in August of '95 and released it in tapes only at T.R.F.. For the initial run the band had only ordered 500 copies of their self titled tapes, hoping and praying that they would sell enough to recoup their expenses. If they could sell one or two tapes per show, they reasoned, they would be able to break even by the end of faire. The tape's success was over whelming. Not only, did they break even in the first weekend they would need to reorder two more times before the faire was over. At this time, the band began to expand their touring and musical boundaries by traveling to such venues as Scarborough Faire, Castle at Muskogee, Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, and Victorian Christmas in Austin. In March of '96, the band made a Compact Disc version of their first album, which was released on St. Patrick's Day in Houston. They quickly discovered that there was a greater demand for CD's rather than tapes. By the end of Scarborough Faire in '96, Jimmy decided to leave the band to pursue "raising" his piping grade and lowering his golf handicap (He has succeeded in both). During this time, the band invited Lars to join them at Scarborough Faire. This gave "The Scottish Rogues" three pipers for the last couple of weekends, and a smoother transition when Jimmy left at the end of the faire. Lars officially joined the group full-time and was there when the band made their debut at the Maryland Renaissance Festival and Kansas City Renaissance Festival the Fall of '96. "The Scottish Rogues" recorded their second album that summer, and released "Hollerin' for Haggis" at T.R.F. in the fall. In early '97, the band continued to expand its horizons by including Norman Medieval Faire and the USCO Highland Games in Oklahoma. In late June '97, Tom left the band and moved to Oklahoma helping to form the 32nd Street Pipe and Drum Corps in Oklahoma City. Jimmy came back from his "tour" and rejoined the group. At this time, the guys decided to officially change their name to simply, "The Rogues". They went on the road that summer to pick up new gigs at Bristol Renaissance Faire, Great Lakes Medieval Faire in Ohio, and the new faire in Ontario, Canada. It was in Canada that they paired up with the Tartan Terrors once more after having performed with them at Scarborough Faire and in Maryland the previous season. The first Ceilidh show with the Tartan Terrors was done in August of '97 in Burlington, Ontario. The performance was recorded and became the band's third CD, "Live in Canada, eh?" This album was released in Maryland and Kansas City, as well as the Texas Renaissance Festival that fall. The new CD, which featured some of their best music from both of the first two CD's plus some new songs, was filled with all of the energy and passion of their live show. It received an excellent review by the Dirty Linen Magazine in October '99. It remains one of their most popular CD releases to date. In January of 1999, "The Rogues" went into the studio once more and recorded their "Off Kilter" CD, which was due to release in late March. Prior to the release date, "The Rogues" in conjunction with Hamilton Productions, boarded a cruise ship called the "Enchanted Isle" bound for the Caribbean. They welcomed 38 people aboard their first "Celtic Cruise". The band brought the new CD with them and held a special sneak preview for the people that went on the trip. The disco never sounded better. In March of 2000, "The Rogues" and Hamilton Productions, invited the "Blarney Brothers" and "Six Mile Bridge" to sail with them on their Second Annual "Celtic Cruise" aboard the "Enchanted Isle". Over 100 people came along with the bands as they rambled through the Caribbean. "Off Kilter" was officially released in March 28 '99 at McGonigel's Mucky Duck Pub in Houston. It marked the most critically acclaimed CD release by "The Rogues". It garnered nominations for Grammy awards in the Category 4: "Best New Artist" and Category 61: "Best Contemporary Folk". Since the new CD was self-produced by "The Rogues", it did not have enough national exposure, and therefore was not listed in the final ballot. The year 2000 marks a turning point for "The Rogues". With commercial success, and acknowledgment from the music industry, the band is embarking on new and greater adventures. They hope to have their latest two albums available in stores all over the country by the end of this year. To the end of this year and beyond, no one knows what the future holds for "The Rogues". But we do know that it's going to be a fun ride.

Group Members Nelson Stewart, Jimmy Mitchell, Lars Sloan, Randy Wothke

Instruments Bagpipes, bodhrans, drum set, Scottish snare drum, doumbek, synthesizer, various other percussion

Albums The Rogues, Hollerin for Haggis, Live in Canada, and Off Kilter

Press Reviews Personal opinions:Today I was fortunate enough to see The Rogues play at The Rennaisance Festival. My daughter has been after me for the past couple of years to go with her to see you play. After seeing your performance today I will be sure and go with her the next time she calls. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and the performance. It is a delight to see someone who so obviously enjoys what they do. Thank you for a very pleasant afternoon. - Siggy Stuebner My husband and I are fans, and frequent Scarborough Faire every year. We spend most of each visit watching and listening to your band play. We noticed that this year you were only going to be there for the one weekend. Of course we had to go both days, and oh, what a show we saw! This may sound stupid, but something magic happens when you guys play. I watch the audience, and that little girl dancing, the old man crying when you played Amazing Grace, (my husband and I cried too) the smiles, the tears, the beauty of it. Words cannot describe it. It just brings us back over and over again. I saw how people willing emptied their pockets to put in the bucket. I'm sad that you guys won't be there next weekend, and the next..... Scarborough Faire is just not the same without The Rogues! Thanks for letting me speak, we love you! - Jim and Melody"Dear Rogues: I heard one of your CD's while visiting my cousin in Galveston, and it kicked ass." - Rick Lacey, Jonestown, TX"Please consider coming back to the Bristol Renaissance Faire this year. ... I've been going to the faire for ten years and your group is the first to get a standing ovation." - Kristin Olson, Winconsin"Dear Scottish Rogues: I'm about to wear out the tape I bought at the Renaissance Festival at Kansas City, KS. ... I can't put into words how much I enjoy your performances and look forward to seeing and hearing you all again." - Nola M. Worland, Kansas City, KS"I had the pleasure of seeing you perform in Kansas City this year. It was the highlight of the weekend, as I have told a great number of my friends. Thank you for your wonderful music and for the information." - Michaul E. Longfellow, Kansas City, MO"My wife and I were fortunate enough to take in your performance at Ceilidh '97. While we both love the pipes we had never heard anything quite the likes of you and your particular twist of Scottish humor. ... On the night of the Ceilidh we purchased your CD with the tan/cream coloured cover, and I must say in the next few short weeks since then have nearly worn the grooves off of it. - Keith & Carole Crawley, Ontario, CANADA Professional opinions, and endorsements:To the Rogues et al -- Randy, Lars, Jimmy, Bryan, and of course, the beautiful Sharon, Thank you SO much for your wholehearted, wonderful participation in Legacy 2000!! I've gotten LOTS of terrific feedback on your performances & it has been suggested that NOBODY should even CONSIDER doing a Highlander convention without first inviting your delightful(ly unruly) group -- especially since your music seems to be such a natural fit! You were all troupers, playing whenever and wherever needed. You were cheerful, pleasant, and extremely easy to work with. (Tom & Sarita were equally fun additions!) The concert was great, but I think that one of my favorite moments of the weekend was hearing & seeing you guys stirringly march into the Regency Ballroom...I now understand how men marched off to war to the drone of a bagpipe. Probably the most delightful thing about your group is the strong personalities that each of you brings to the mix, both on- and offstage. And Sharon, you make the sweetest den mother ever! You guys are all great! I'm glad I got a chance to spend a few minutes with each of you during the course of the weekend. And I hope that it was a pleasant experience for you guys as well. I hope you felt as if you were honored guests (Even if there was no money to toss your way this time... Nobody's talking about a next time, at least not at this moment. Try asking a woman who's JUST had a baby if she'd like to have another one next year!?), because it was certainly on honor for us to have you there! We will be able to split about $20,000 among the three charities, but it's uncertain yet as to whether the con will actually break even for its creators. I heard a rumor that there was a nibble for you guys to play for an upcoming cruise?? It's my genuine wish that this gig helped introduce you to a new group of loyal fans and that your base expands from there... And on the PR front, I've called my friend at Nat Geo to rave about you guys, but I'll give you his info as well. I'll let him listen to your CDs and I'll pass on the PR stuff I've got, too. He definitely showed interest. If you call him, just tell him you're a friend of Carol Nicotera's and he should know instantly who you are... Gregory McGruder Director of Programs Tha National Geographic Society (202) 828-5661 Kelvin & I look forward to seeing you guys at the MD Ren Faire this summer. Of course, I've been lead to believe that you guys are so wildly popular there, that we'll be lucky if you even remember who we are... Best wishes and continued success for the Rogues! Keep squeezin' them animals! Carol Wanted to say thanks for the "Off Kilter" CD you gave me at the studio the other night ... It is absolutely one of the best in the genre that I've heard in twenty plus years of recording ... and that is saying a lot. You guys did a killer job, and so did Andy ... _very_ impressive piece of work! Thanks for turning me onto it. Regards, - Karl A. Caillouet - Heights Sound Studio - www.hsound.com "A lone piper bleating a mournful tune is one thing, The Rogues quite another. They are a genuine band that galvanizes an audience with precisely played rhythms and moves them the the hidden mysteries of Scottish tradition - they can make an Iranian wistful for Scotland! Their performance is a measured blend of stately hymns and rabble rousing anthems, it moves from dignity through defiance to abandoned joy and most important, the auidence feels it. Some shows beg for audiences participation; The Rogues induce it. When they are joined by Highland dancers, the energy doubles and is palpable. ... I can't think of any situations where they would not be a huge addition." - David Casey - General Manager, Texas Renaissance Festival"It is my pleasure to recommend The Rogues as extrordinary entertainers. I greatly appreciate their unique blend of music and their powerful interaction with their audiences. I also commend them for their professionalism, their congeniality, and their spirit of cooperation. ... I wholeheartedly endorse them!" - Ron Boulden - Director, Scarborough Faire Renaissance Festival"They made quite an impression. ... Their music is fun, exciting and different. ... attracting large crowds at each performance. Everyone without exception was excited and impressed with their talent. They impressed me not only by their talent, but also by their willingness to perform more frequently than most other groups. Their spirit of cooperation and professionalism is to be commended." - Linda Linn - Coordinator, Medieval Faire, University of Oklahoma Magazine articles:It's pretty much just bagpipes and drums. But, damn, it's bloody brilliant. Off Kilter, the fourth album by yet another Scottish contingent from Texas, the Rogues, is a keeper without a doubt. And that's even after hearing band member Bryan Blaylock's very bad Scottish accent on "Jolly George," a set including "Jolly Beggarman" and "Pipe Major George Allen." The band consists of pipers and drummers: Blaylock on bodhran and other percussion, Lars Sloan on Highland pipes, shuttle pipes, bongos and claves, Jimmy Mitchell on Highland pipes, and Randy Wothke on Scottish snare, bodhran, doumbek, keyboard, congas and other percussion. On some tracks ("Leprechaun and Butterfly"), they sound like a small pipe and drum band. On others ("Pipes in Space," "Pipe Major-Domo") the percussion is a little less traditional and a little more distinctive. And then there are the tracks where they leave tradition to the wind, like the amusing "'Scuse Me?" featuring two Sloan originals, "The Puddin Race" and "Clan McClugh." "Miss P.," written by Sloan for his wife, Paula, begins as a pipe and keyboard duet before the percussionists get busy. Another Sloan tune, "Guinness Dog," was written for his late canine friend and features her barking as punctuation. The hidden track #13 at least claims that the boys in the band are all accomplished stepdancers ... but I have my doubts. (Actually, a careful reading of the liner notes reveals the perpetrators to be Christina Danley, Leslie Mack and Anthony Smith of the Texas Tap Ensemble. You didn't fool me for a minute, guys, despite your clever banter!) This is certainly an album worth checking out if you enjoy the sounds of pipes and drums and if you like a bit of creative play with your music. There's nothing dull or boring here. [ by Tom Knapp: Rambles - a cultural arts magazine "The Rogues Live in Canada, Eh? (The Rogues) What would a Texas pipe band be doing as a ceilidh in Burlington, Ontario? Well, judging from the sound of this, having one hell of a good time. With two Highland pipers (Lars Sloan and Jimmy Mitchel) and two precussionists (Randy Wothke and Bryan Blaylock), the music the Rogues play is anything but subtle. Recorded live in front of an enthusiastic audience, the band powers its way through a number of sets of bagpipe tunes, many of which they composed themselves. There are a few breaks for songs, but the emphasis is on the pipes (as well it should be), as both Sloan and Mitchel are fine players. The set winds down, as any good ceilidh should, with renditions of "Scotland the Brave" and "Amazing Grace". Play this loud, it's guaranteed to annoy the neighbors and the cats!" - (JLE) - Dirty Linen Magazine - October/November '98 #78--------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following article appeared in the October 1999 edition of "The world's best piping and drumming publication" Piper & Drummer magazine--------------------------------------------------------------------------------10/3/99 12:20:55 PM The Rogues Create a Celtic JoyrideUnique and fun interpretations result in an often brilliant recording by Andrew BerthoffOnly a decade ago, most North American Celtic groups were just loose imitations of bands like Battlefield, Tannahill Weavers, and Osian. Today, the United States, in particular, appears to be not just riding the wave of interest in Celtic music, but creating its own tidal force.The Rogues - the Houston, Texas, quartet of two pipers and two percussionists ? have just released "Off Kilter," their fourth recording, which presents a quite unique and distinctly modern take on the Celtic idiom.It would be a mistake for competing pipers and drummers to take one look at the group and dismiss them as a bunch of Rob Roy revivalists, like those seen around many North American Highland games. The Rogues? puffy shirted look is part of the overall spectacle."Off Kilter" is a distinctly modern approach to piping and drumming. But, unlike many of today?s Celtic music groups, The Rogues don?t seem to have much time for synthesizers or anything electronic, for that matter. With only one exception, their stuff is done using traditional instruments.Their music, though, is anything but traditional. "Off Kilter" is a ceilidh of musical surprises, the most intriguing of which seem to be from piper Lars Sloan. Three tracks in particular ? "Miss. P.," "?Scuse Me?" and "Guinness Dog" ? are wonderfully creative. From the dog barking samples in "Guinness Dog" to the bizarre vocal interjections in "?Scuse Me?," Sloan?s compositions put an accent on fun, and usually come up with a percussion groove that makes the pipe music surge.And it is the percussion that is perhaps the best overall part of "Off Kilter." Bodhran, congas, bongos, claves, and God knows what else drive the whole thing along at a crazy pace. The only parts of the recording that get a bit ponderous are the points where the groups goes only with Highland pipes and pipe band snare, as in the start of the last track of hornpipes and reels. It?s relatively unexciting, but then the group gets grooving again with drum set and a more driving tempo. "Off Kilter" is a difficult thing to summarize musically. The piping is very good, the instruments are well tuned, and the spirit is intensely positive. One thing?s for sure: the piping puritans will hate it.

Additional Info T-shirts, baseball caps

Location Houston, Tx - USA

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