Bagpipes, didgeridoos drive Celtic rockers

The Australian-born band mixes shrill bagpipe wails with heavy drums, electric guitar and didgeridoos.

The group, which will play several sets throughout the weekend, has taken that Celtic-fusion approach since its early days in the 1990s.

"We found (bagpipes and didgeridoos) work really well together," lead piper, guitarist and vocalist Angus Richardson said in a phone interview Tuesday from his home in Oregon. "Both instruments are primal and from opposite ends of the world. They draw a lot of attention."

Angus originally created the band with his brother Hamish. The two grew up playing bagpipes at school in the small town of Bathurst, northwest of Sydney, Australia.

After working the pub circuit for a couple of years, the siblings came to the States with a full lineup looking for a record deal.

"We arrived as bushy-tailed farm boys expecting to get signed right away," Richardson said. "But we were always pretty outside the box and learned quickly that that wasn't going to happen."

When a contract didn't present itself, the band began busking on the streets of Los Angeles to make ends meet.

Regular visitors to Venice Beach, Santa Monica or the Hollywood Bowl could find the group performing for passing tourists and after shows for tips.

No one in Brother even played the didgeridoo when they came to the U.S. But Angus and the boys quickly learned that adding the instrument equated to extra-big paydays.

"We always drew a good crowd," he said. "We would have a few hundred people around us. They were quite fascinated. It was always very different to what most people had heard back in those days."

The band's reputation grew over time. They formed their own label, Rhubarb Records, and put out a couple of CDs. They eventually found their way onto the Celtic-festival touring circuit, where they thrived, earning gigs at concerts and events across the country.

Today, Angus stands as the only original member of the group. He is joined by Drew "Didgeri-drew" Reid and drummer Dave "Dalbo" Allen on stage.

Richardson describes the band's music as "distinct and arresting."

"It is very tribal, energetic," he added. "A lot of people come up to us after the show and tell us they can't believe the sound we create with just three people."

Brother has plenty of covers and original material to choose from for this weekend's shows. The group has released 14 full-length albums, according to its Web site.

Richardson said to expect nothing less than high energy when his fusion group takes the stage.

"There is only one volume on the bagpipes and that is 11," he quipped.

if you go

• 2009 Celtic Festival & Scottish Highland Games