In late 2000 a group of Glasgow musicians got together who were regular players in the Scottish session scene. The idea was to record some of the sets they most enjoyed playing in the pub: a blend of traditional and contemporary Scottish music, along with personal compositions. Accordion, fiddle and guitar are three of the purest sounds in folk music, and combined they produce an exciting blend.
A demo recorded in November 2000 has now been transformed into a full-length album, which was released in Cottier's Theatre, Glasgow, in January 2003. As for the name 'Beneche'? Well, I was a history student when the band started, and was studying Czechoslovakia: our name is a corruption of the second president of the Republic in the 1930s, Edvard Benes - very obscure, I know, but I was rather caught up in my degree when we started out!
At Celtic Connections 2003 in Glasgow, the band won a Danny Kyle Open Stage award, marking them out as one of Scotland’s hottest new acts. Around the same time, Beneche took on an additional member in the form of Martin O’Neill. Martin is a terrific bodhran player who has been wowing audiences with his skills all over Britain and beyond. We are extremely grateful to have him in the band. Beneche have performed extensively - from The Venue in Edinburgh, supporting renowned singer Sean Keane, and the Galloway Folk Festival, to more recent appearances at Celtic Connections 2004 alongside Malinky and the Dubliners. They have been played on numerous occasions on Archie Fisher's Travelling Folk on BBC Radio Scotland.
Jamie Smith has been playing the fiddle since the age of eight, moving from classical to folk at fifteen. Since then he has secured numerous awards and was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year competition in 2002. He completed a degree in history at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, and is currently studying broadcast journalism in London. He hopes to combine freelance work as a journalist with touring in the band.
Sean O'Donnell was born in Derry. He studied French and German at Queens University, Belfast, before moving to Glasgow in 1996. His playing is rhythmic yet subtle, perfect for backing traditional music. He is also an accomplished singer, and some of his favourite songs feature on the Beneche album, ‘The Morning After’. Sean is also a member of both the Emily Smith Band and 6ft Ginger, the aptly named west coast trio. He has been a guest musician with many bands, including Daimh and Deaf Shepherd.
Padraig O'Neill hails from Kenmare in County Kerry, and has a powerful, punchy style on the button box. He previously played with the band Anor, which toured around Europe. Padraig has been living in Glasgow for four years, and is a doctor by profession, which can be handy at times!
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