B�RACH (Biography courtesy of the Artist's site, 2006)
& Earlier Version (2005)

Formed in 1994 B�rach have long been one of the most popular Scottish rock groups and have created their own style of �Heavy Folk�. Over the last ten years the band have toured repeatedly in the USA, South America, the Middle East, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, Scandinavia, Russia, Turkey and all throughout mainland Europe.
The band�s first album, �The Weird Set�, was released after winning the 1995 Scottish Folk Band competition. Since then Burach have released three further albums, �Born Tired� (1997) and �Deeper� (2000), and "Unstoppable" (2006).
The current line-up is led as always by Sandy Brechin on accordion and vocals, with David Taylor on vocals and guitar; Chris Agnew on vocals and bass; the renowned Gavin Marwick on fiddle and Alan Brown on drums.
Sandy Brechin has been with the band since it was formed in 1994. Originally from Kirkliston, Sandy has been playing the accordion for over 20 years and brings his own unique style to the band. Sandy is also well known as a talented composer and teacher, and is in demand across the country as a session musician.
Gav's back, several years after being an original memeber of Burach. He has played across much of the world with Iron Horse, Johnny Hardie and Cantrip. Gav is very active in the ceilidh circuit and is developing a reputation as a composer - commisions include work for the Traverse Theatre and the BBC.
A graduate from the Music Course at Jewel and Esk Valley College in Edinburgh, David furthered his education at California State University Northridge, Los Angeles. He later moved to San Francisco as a solo artist before returning home to join Burach in 2001. He is an established guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, involved in many different genres across the music scene in Scotland.
A well known singer songwriter as well as bass guitarist, Chris is currently busy playing bass with the Dougie MacLean Band and has an impressive CV in other areas of the music scene, from Jazz to Rock.
A music graduate, Alan furthered his education at the world famous Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he toured with a number of rock bands. Since returning to Scotland, Alan has toured with ex-Marillion front man 'Fish', appeared at the prestigious South By South West Festival in Texas and has been involved in various recording projects. He now works as a specialised music lecturer.


BAND HISTORY (Courtesy of the Artist's site, 2005)

Formed in 1994, Burach have released three albums on the Greentrax label: "The Weird Set" , released in 1995: "Born Tired", released in 1997 and "Deeper", released early 2000. All to great acclaim.

Before this, in 1995, the band won the 1994/1995 Scottish Folk Band Competition and since then, have toured U.S.A., Colombia, U.K, Ireland, France, Brittany, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Georgia, Oman, U.A.E., Hong Kong, Thailand, Turkey and Turkmenistan and have played support for bands such as Big Country, The Waterboys, Ronnie Brown of the Corries, Isla St Clair, Tom Robinson, Compay Sergundo of Buena Vista Social Club, De Dannan, James Taylor Quartet, Sharon Shannon, The Dubliners, Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain and China Black.

Tracks from both "The Weird Set" and "Born Tired" have been licensed to several compilation albums, such as "The Electric Muse II", EMI's "Folk 'n Hell",and the Scottish Arts Council's recent release, "Seriously Scottish". Tracks also appear on the Greentrax compilations, "The Music And Song Of Greentrax" and "Edinburgh Focal Point". Check out the Burach Sounds for online CD sales In recent years the band have toured exhaustively in all of the countries mentioned, playing in a great many festivals as well as numerous appearances on T.V and radio. Burach make regular appearances at Edinburgh's Hogmanay and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. To find out if Burach will be appearing near you go to "News and Gigs"


Burach is one of the most innovative and popular bands to come out of the new wave of Scottish musical inventiveness combining Celtic music and contemporary rock influences to create a unique sound that is popular with young and old alike.

Formed in the autumn of 1994, Burach won the 1994/95 Scottish Folk Group Competition. Since the release of their first album, The Weird Set, Burach have been making a name for themselves with tours to Scandinavia, Brittany, France, Holland and Italy, they have played as far as Turkmenistan in Central Asia and shared the stage with a number of prestigious performers including Big Country, Alison Moyet, Nils Lofgren and Goat's Don't Shave and have appeared on MTV, the BBC, and Russian television.

Burach is a Gaelic word colloquially meaning a mess, or more formally, "a delving in the earth." The band's second CD Born Tired, was released in 1997. Tracks from both albums have been licensed to several compilations albums, such as The Electric Muse II, EMI's Folk 'n Hell, and the Scottish Arts Council's recent release, Seriously Scottish.

Doug Anderson: Guitar, mandolin &Vocal

From Gullane, East Lothian, Doug initially studied classical guitar and later studied other guitar styles at the Guitar Institute in London and with Paco Pena, Benjamin Vorday, Albert Lee and Eric Johnson. He taught guitar at Jewel and Esk Valley College in Edinburgh for five years, before leaving to play music full-time. In 1998, he participated in the World Classical Guitar Championships in Mottola, Italy. In early 1999, he spent two months in Seville, studying flamenco guitar.

Eoghain Anderson: Drums &Percussion

Eoghain is from the town of Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway. He tried many jobs, such as shepherd, Christmas tree cutter and offshore gangway controller, before settling on music. He studied drums under Jim Walker and Steve White and plays snare drum in the Scottish Gas Pipe Band, Eoghain now gives drum lessons, when not touring with the band.

Gregor Borland: Fiddle &Backup Vocal

From Inverness, Greg originally learned to play the fiddle from the legendary Hector McAndrew of Aberdeen, and was four times Scottish Champion, in his youth. He is also an accomplished bass player and played both instruments in Caledon, Davy Steele's supergroup. In addition to Burach he plays with the atheryn Tickell band.

Sandy Brechin: Accordion &Backup Vocals

Sandy comes from Kirkliston, West Lothian and is well known for his work with Seelyhoo and his own band, in addition to Burach. He has two solo recordings and has played as a session musician on countless other albums as well. He was recently included on Donnie Munro's (formerly Run Rig) new solo album and performed in the 1999 'Twice Upon a Squeezebox" tour of the US and Canada.

Alison Cherry: Lead Vocals &Whistle

Ali works as a producer with BBC Scotland in Edinburgh, when not touring with the band. Her voice has led her to be described as the new Sandy Denny. Previous band experience include Bohinta and performing with Martin and Aine Fury.

Roy Waterson: Bass &Backup Vocals

Roy comes from Dundee. He too was educated at Jewel and Esk Valley College, and played in several Manchester area punk bands, before returning to Edinburgh, When not tour with Burach he is in demand to fill in slots in various groups in the city.