"The Best of Scotland"


Press Kit
(Europe / UK)
David Gilfillan
Gerry Mckenna
Ronnie MacDonald
Grant Simpson
"Sound of Scotland" Interview, May 2008(MP3)
Fringe Review 2006 (PDF)
Fringe Review 2007(PDF)
2006 German Newspaper Article (PDF, 1.8M)
2003 Fringe Gig (PDF, 56kb)
WUNH Interview
WUNH Interview (incl. songs, 25MB)
May 2007 Live Performance (Cornell Uni)

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.

Going on for twenty-nine years!! and stronger than ever. One of Scotland's most popular bands, with Guitars, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bouzouki, Bodhrans, Whistles, Banjo, great vocals with tremendous three part harmonies.

Over the years "North Sea Gas" have recorded 13 albums and are constantly adding new material to their show. Their latest album "Rosslyn" has received wonderful reviews from folk magazines, Newspapers etc including Dirty Linen (USA), the Scots Magazine, and The Living Tradition.

Their show as their albums consists of traditional, contemporary and self-penned material all put together with a style of their own.

Continually touring the world with tours of America, Canada, Germany, Austria, Scotland and many other destinations every year.

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, "North Sea Gas" recorded for Chinese Television with an estimated audience of 800 million; A highlight of any bands career.

With Gold and Silver disc awards from the Scottish Music Industry Association and sell out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!!

We could say more but put simply "North Sea Gas" are a highly entertaining Scottish folk band. Multi instrumental, tremendous harmonies and great craic.

They have an ever-growing fan base which ranges through all of the 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

"This hugely entertaining Band"
Edinburgh Evening News

"I haven't enjoyed a Celtic concert that much since the early days of Silly Wizard. Thanks for an entertaining show, both musically and humour-wise"
Gary Berman, USA 2006

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

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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.
NameGerry 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.

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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?  

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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.

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Last update: 2008/09/22 by Uwe Schürkamp