I really enjoy bagpipe music. Groups like Flogging Molly, The Dropkick Murphys and The Pogues have a resonance with me.  On August 3rd I saw The Tartan Terrors perform at Musikfest. They were hysterical and awesome.

In the August heat and humidity I stood shoulder to shoulder with a pack of beer swilling music lovers in a tiny square in Bethlehem PA, where the fine people of Musikfest bolted a stage onto the concrete landscape. As I drank my beer, I watched one of the best stage performances I’ve seen in a long time. They were funny, charismatic, and knew how to move the audience through a range of emotion and music. It drew everyone out of their weary, heat worn daze and brought us back to life.

From the minute I heard of The Tartan Terrors I knew I had to see them live. One night, maybe three months ago, a buddy of mine tells me about a song called Scotland Depraved. It’s about sheep fucking. And sung by a bagpipe and drum group called The Tartan Terrors. Needless to say I became obsessed — which means a lot of YouTube.com videos of their past performance. Still, I had to see them. How could I not with lyrics like this sung to Scotland the Brave:

“Bring my whiskey mother.
I’m feeling frisky mother.
Bring me a sheep for I am lonely tonight.
Gosh knows I’m really randy.
Good thing I’m very handy.
England is prim and proper Scotland’s Depraved.”

The Tartan Terrors are a lot more than a few goofy pub songs. They have a serious array of talent ranging from touching vocals to an amazing bagpipe player and a wondrously flexible dancing girl(s). I didn’t really get to see her/their face(s)… my visual interests were elsewhere.

This type of band offers a different kind of experience. If you’re thinking of visiting the Renaissance Fair or a Celtic Festival, trying to see The Tartan Terrors or a similiar style of music could add an extra dimension onto the trip.

 

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