The Porridge Men are a 5 piece Scottish band, who fuse traditional Scottish music with modern influences to create a unique vibrant sound.
Scottish figure skaters John and Sinead Kerr have chosen The Porridge Men album "Planet Porridge" as the soundtrack to their Free Dance Routine for the Winter Olympics 2006 in Turin.
Although The Porridge Men were officially created in 1994, Iain and Murray had been playing together for some time. Their first "big break" came when they were invited to play for an audience numbering at least four people in the now defunct Fortunes Tavern, Edinburgh! In search of a catchy stage name, The Porridge Men were born.
Things started to gather pace when Donald joined up along with Hugh "Mr Drums" Sellars. They began to gig regularly on the Edinburgh student scene and further afield as their reputation for providing a high-octane ceilidh night grew. Andrew and Tom were approached to join the band and the rest is history.
Over the last few years, the band has played the length and breadth of Britain, in diverse and unexpected settings, such the most northerly venue in Britain on Unst, Shetland; entertaining the Tartan Army on the streets of Liverpool and Birmingham at Euro 96; appearances at the Edinburgh Festival and supporting Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band at Celtic Connections, the Lorient Festival in Brittany and in concert at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow in 2004 to name but a few.
The Porridge Men are:
Andrew Horne (Drum Kit) Andrew joined the band as the drummer in 1994. He is based in Glasgow, and after gaining a degree from the RSAMD is currently working as a session musician, playing and recording in many different genres. Andrew is also producing his own music in his home studio, and is currently laying down some ideas for the next Porridge Men album.
Murray Fergusson (Violin, Keyboard) writes the harmonies for the Porridge Men`s music. He was a student of Warren Jacobs for several years before studying for a Masters Degree in solo performing at the RSAMD with Jerre Gibson.He then studied for 2 years at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with Professor Ivan Straus, a world-renowned authority on the violin. Murray freelances with several professional orchestras, appeared in a Warner brothers film with the Edinburgh Quartet and over the last 6 years has recorded and toured the world with Belle and Sebastian. In 2005, he completed 4 years work successfully developing string playing at the Gordonstoun schools. Murray now lives, performs and teaches in Edinburgh.
Donald MacLeod Highland Bagpipes, Scottish Small Pipes) Donald began playing pipes around the age of eleven and was principally taught by Major John Allan MBE, Queen's Own Highlanders, who was then the Director of Army Bagpipe Music at Edinburgh Castle. Donald has been heavily involved in mainstream competitive piping and is currently the pipe sergeant of Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band. He is also a regular prize winner on the solo piping competition circuit.
Iain MacPhail (Accordion, Midi freebass) Iain comes from a famous accordion-playing family and has played the five row button accordion with freebass from a young age. With The Porridge Men and with his other project Blaze in the Bothy he tends to play bass through a midi accordion. Iain also runs an Italian property firm Buyinitaly Ltd and he provides the calling of the dances in English and Italian when the band plays for ceilidhs.
Tom Wexler (Percussion/Didgeridoo/Programming) Tom joined the band in 1995 as percussionist and brought with him his other musical talents, including didjeridoo, washboard, bassoon, electronics and kazoo. Tom has appeared with a diverse range of musical outfits over the last 15 years, ran a small record label for a while and is now based South of the border in Yorkshire and working as a digital artist.
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