About Us
The Strings Attached members met at university through the Christian Union, whilst studying at Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. The band started off playing at some university events before being invited to play at fundraisers, anniversaries and weddings. In the beginning, the band used several drummers, but Dave has since become a regular member and joins the other band members for gigs throughout Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. Strings Attached are: Neil (fiddle), Louise (guitar + caller), Alastair (bass) and Dave (drums). The band’s original sound involved bringing a fresh and contemporary approach to Scottish Traditional music and the development has continued from there! Please see the ‘Our Sound’ page for more info.
Neil hails from the Isle of Skye and has been playing the fiddle since primary school days. Neil competed and performed on Skye during his youth and was glad to become part of Strings Attached and continue to make use of his talents. This famous fresh face even made its way onto the front cover of the "Tunes for Two Fiddlers" music book, and even though he's grown up a little since then, he still brings the boyish good looks to the band. By day Neil works in financial services, and by night he provides the melody and the tunes to keep your toes tapping. Neil is married to Alison and joined Strings Attached to play their favourite set on his wedding day.
Louise is the only female in the band and also the only non-Scot. Louise grew up on the beautiful North Coast of Northern Ireland and also brings a few Irish dances (such as the much loved Waves of Tory) to the Strings Attached experience. She has been playing the guitar since she was at school and her skill provides a good choral base to the band's sound. She is a Physics Teacher in Bristol during term time which meaning that she brings high expectations and clear instructions to each ceilidh.
Alastair is the baby of the band and the resident technical expert. He is currently at Strathclyde University studing Product Design Engineering and has the ability to fix just about anything. Originally from Dumfries, he has made the City of Glasgow his home for the past 4 years. He provides the jolly bass tones that make the Strings Attached sound so distinctive, but can often be spotted playing the guitar during cover sets. He is a mac user, an Irn Bru addict and purveyor of many fine objects!
David is the only Glasgow grown member of the band, and his main job is to make sure that we all stay in time. His exciting drumming and smiling face means that all people, young and old, band members and dancers alike enjoy every Strings Attached ceilidh. David is an Aeromechanical Engineer and enjoys all things plane related. Another handy man, and all-rounder, he is a great asset to the band! David is engaged to Jenny, and together they are the most beautiful sounding couple you will ever meet.
Xander is originally from Hull and is a musically multi-talented man, however fits fantastically into the drumming role. Since graduating from Glasgow Uni he has spent time working with an Engineering firm and also in the voluntary sector. He has been banging the drums from a young age and is notoriously creative when he gets behind a drum kit, using everything a full drum kit has to offer. Xander can always be relied on to ensure that there is never a boring rhythm backing up the melody. Strings Attached have managed to moderate his penchant for loud colourful shirts and with his rugged good looks he scrubs up very well indeed!