Anyone who attends an Enter the Haggis concert, at least in the D.C. area, can tell you that fans love the high-spirited sound and high jinks that are regulars part of the band’s concerts. Well get ready for even more of a fire now that Bruce McCarthy has joined the group as a drummer (former drummer James Campbell went on to follow his dream of becoming an air traffic controller).
“There’s something about having a new band member that injects life into the older songs,” fiddle player Brian Buchanan said. “It helps you remember why you liked them in the first place.”
Not that love of the songs has ever really been a problem as evidenced by the band’s all-ages fan base — many who don Celtic outfits when they attend Enter the Haggis concerts — that follow the band’s concert path much like fans of the Grateful Dead followed that band.
| IF YOU GO |
| Enter the Haggis, co-headlining with Scythian |
| » Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW |
| » When: 8 p.m. Saturday |
| » Info: $15; 800-955-5566; 930.com |
In fact, the band has once again planned trips to Europe that include fans.
“When we’re in Germany, we are offering fans a chance to tool around Bavaria with us, hit the beer gardens, hit the castles, see the scenery,” he said. “and finish up at a festival [the group will play] in Germany. (Find out more on the band’s Web site — enterthehaggis.com.)
Of course, the reason there are so many devoted Enter the Haggis fans is because of their signature voice, a mixture of Celtic music, classic rock, pop and punk. The mix has become even richer as time has gone on and the members bring in ideas stemming from up to 18 musical genres. Although that can make for time-consuming sessions to plan and arrange songs, the many influences ensure the music is never boring, Buchanan said.
“With all of these influences on the music being produced, there is a high risk of confusion and running around with no direction home; but this band takes these influences and unites them into a seamless whole,” Bob Gottlieb wrote in Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange. “Yes, you can pick out the parts, but the sum of the parts rules and is greater than the individual components.”
It all comes down to embracing the different influences, whether mixing it up onstage or working with other bandmates when writing, Buchanan said.
“We have always got a few things we’re working on,” he said. “Hopefully the songs will come together soon [and they’ll look to record]. When you tour as much as we do, you write what you know.”
