North Sea Gas

The Best of Scotland

North Sea Gas are Dave Gilfillan, Ronnie MacDonald and Grant Simpson. On occasion within Scotland, North Sea Gas are augmented by the wonderful talents of Gerry McKenna.

North Sea Gas: Ronnie MacDonald, Grant Simpson and Dave Gilfillan

They have recorded 14 albums and are constantly adding new material to their show. Their latest album “Edinburgh Toon” recorded live in "The Lot", Grassmarket, Edinburgh in 2009 is proving as popular as all their other recordings!!

"The album is offered in the spirit of enjoyment, and in that it succeeds superbly"
- Alasdair Maclean (The Scots Magazine).

Their previous album "Rosslyn" received wonderful reviews from folk magazines, newspapers etc including Dirty Linen (USA), the Scots Magazine, and The Living Tradition. Their show, in the same way as their albums, consist of traditional, contemporary and self-penned material all put together in a style of their own . This proves popular during their regular tours of Scotland, America, Canada, Germany, Austria, and many other destinations every year also in TV and Radio appearances both sides of the Atlantic including “Late Night Saturday” and "Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour" one of the biggest radio shows in the USA.

In 2008, they recorded for Chinese television with an estimated audience of 800 million; A highlight of any bands career!

December 2009 saw the band playing in Istanbul, Turkey, for the British Consulate St Andrews Ball! and they have been invited back in 2010.

Besides the bands regular tours abroad in the last few years they have endeavoured to take their show to the theatres, art centre's and community halls around Scotland. Touring and seeing their native land is something the band really enjoys.

We could say more but put simply "North Sea Gas" are a highly entertaining Scottish folk band who have an ever-growing fan base ranging through all age groups thus giving the "Gas" show a wonderful atmosphere.

"No airs and graces just fantastic music"...
EdinburghGuide.com (Edin/Festival 2007)

"Through their work they introduce audiences to the wider world of the folk tradition and its Riches"
John O’Regan Living Tradition (Magazine)

	Dave Gilfillan Lead Singer, guitar, banjo, mandola and founding member of North Sea Gas. Being a professional musician for the last seventeen years, Dave has built up a reputation for rousing sing along vocals and big heartfelt ballads, add to that a sense of on stage fun and tongue in cheek humor and you can easily see why his brand of folk music has taken him all over the world. Full Name Dave Barrie Gilfillan Date of Birth Oct. 21st Place of Birth Edinburgh Scotland Favourite NSG songs "Yellow on the Broom", "Ballad of St. Anne's Reel", "Loch Tay Boat Song", "Leezie Lindsay" and lots more Favourite Folk Artists Tannahill Weavers, The Dubliners, Eric Bogle other music Meatloaf, Paul Simon, and many more First Instrument you learned to play? Guitar Do you have a "proper"job besides musician? I have been a full-time musician for the last 23 years but I am a qualified carpenter. What brought you into making music? From a very early age I was singing and enjoying music. To sing on stage seemed a natural thing to do. Pastimes? Watching Football (I support Heart of Midlothian F.C.). Drinking Beer; Walking my dogs I have two dogs, one is a King Charles the other a Welsh Springer Spaniel. Crosswords. Interests? Ancient history and politics Back to Top
	Gerry Mckenna Gerry has been a part time member of the band for many years, where he has been playing bass, keyboards, banjo or guitar. As you can see he is an accomplished musician. He is now playing with the band on a regular basis. Name Gerry McKenna Date & Place of Birth: 23rd August, Edinburgh. What brought you into making music? The guitar bands of the 1960's What was the first instrument you learned to play? Guitar What's your favourite North Sea Gas song? All God's Creatures What other bands / artists do you enjoy listening to? The Beatles, Dillards, Eagles and anything from the 60's Do you have a "proper" occupation besides being a musician? I am Manager of a Music Shop. Back to Top
	Ronnie MacDonald Ronnie Macdonald was a member of the gas 23 years ago. He returned to Scotland 6 years ago after having spent 15 years in Australia where he had is own band and rejoined north Sea Gas. Full Name Ronnie MacDonald Date of Birth Dec 22 Place of Birth Glasgow, Scotland Favourite NSG songs   Favourite Artists Battlefield and the Idle Diddlies (Australian band) First Instrument you learned to play? Guitar   Do you have a "proper"job besides musician? No What brought you into making music?   Pastimes? Reading and Drinking. Interests?   Back to Top
	Grant Simpson Full Name Grant Simpson Date of Birth Oct 13th Place of Birth Lossiemouth, Scotland Favourite NSG songs Joseph Baker, Our Town Favourite Artists Brian McNeill and Filska First Instrument you learned to play? Fiddle Do you have a "proper"job besides musician? No, full time musician. What brought you into making music? I grew up with music. Pastimes? Rugby and Scottish History. Back to Top

In the Press

• 2008-05-09: Interview at "Sound of Scotland", Kincadine, Ontario
• 2006-08-17: German article (PDF, 1.8M) on NSG's Germany tours and fans
• 2003-08-19: Mairi Anderson reports from the Fringe Festival 2003 (PDF format, free reader available from Adobe)
• Radio Interview on the Bob Knight Ceilidh Show (June 2005, from http://www.wunh.org/, 10MB)
• Radio Interview on the Bob Knight Ceilidh Show (June 2005, from http://www.wunh.org/, 25MB). This version includes several songs that were broadcast on WUNH during the session.
• Live Performance recorded at the "Bound for Glory" Folk Radio Show, Cornell, Ithaca in May 2007 (features 20 songs from albums past and present)