Town Council

The Sundowns were formed in June 2001 – Keith B, Ali and Ross grew up in Aberdeenshire and played together in various high school bands. Keith J hails from Dalgety Bay and the band met through a scribbled down ad in a music store by a “Drummer looking for likeminded songsmith/ band to tumble across dusty musical trails”. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Simon Ritson (originally from Moffat) joined, after the band advertised for their very own ‘Bass Idol’. Keith J had enjoyed previous success with NME darlings Joyriders and Hut signings Marc Pilley and Hobotalk, and Keith B and Ross had been writing and playing together for several years. The band met, played together for a few weeks, and then recorded a 4 track demo. It was clear from the start that the band members all had an affinity with the growing alternative country scene, and ploughed the same furrow as alt. country pioneers The Jayhawks and the harmony driven power pop of The Byrds and Teenage Fanclub. The band released their debut album ‘The Merchant House Tapes’ in July 2001, recorded and produced by Al Denholm, who handled production duties for Hobotalk. The album launch received rave reviews in the local press, and two tracks from the album received the ‘Demo of the Month’ award in the musicians’ bible ‘Making Music’ magazine. The Sundowns have received radio airplay on Beat 106 and Forth 1, and have performed sold out shows in some of Central Scotland’s most popular venues, including support slots with established names such as the Cosmic Rough Riders, Marah, Roddy Frame, Runrig, The Delgados and even the kings of the 12 bar blues, Status Quo. Last summer the band took the trip south west to join the pagan horde at the Wickerman Festival, and this summer sees the debut of the band at the Belladrum Festival near Inverness. The Sundowns’ sophomore release, ‘Calabasas’, was released at the start of February ’05, and was recorded and mixed at the Substation in Fife. Michael Brennan, sound manager for Super Furry Animals and producer for acclaimed bands such The Zephyrs, Mogwai and The Pernice Brothers produced the album. The recent album launch went down well, with strong reviews of the show in Edinburgh’s Evening News and The List magazine. The Sundowns are currently expanding their sound through the introduction of pedal steel guitar, and the quest to bring their own brand of Americana to the live music scene in Scotland continues. And of course, they are making sure they have as much fun as possible while doing it.

1 - NAME: Keith Benzie - rhythm/ vocals

2 - GREW UP WHERE: Deeside, Aberdeen

3 - INFLUENCES: Evan Dando, Fanclub, Neil Young, Red House Painters

4 - FAV SUNDOWN TRACK: Last one's free - rocks every time

5 - FAVOURITE SUNDOWN LOCATION: Pulav Kapas, Malaysia

6 - IDEAL SUPERGROUP: Evan Dando - vox/ guit, Gary Louris - lead, Ben Folds - piano, Beck - stuff, Steve Gorman - drums

7 - BADCLOUD MOMENT: The one the song was written about

8 - DUTCH COURAGE: g n t

9 - BEST GIG EVER: Jayhawks - Edinburgh venue 93

10 - COLUMBO OR BERGERAC: Bergerac

1 - NAME: Ross Taylor - lead guitar/ vocals

2 - GREW UP WHERE: Aberdeen

3 - INFLUENCES: Thin Lizzy, Son Volt, Wilco, Fannies (the band -ed)

4 - FAV SUNDOWN TRACK: Long distance call (new track)

5 - FAVOURITE SUNDOWN LOCATION: Vagator Beach, Goa

6 - IDEAL SUPERGROUP: Emmilou Harris - vox/ rythm, Jay Farrar - lead, eric Heywood - pedal steel, bass - Phil Lynott, Michael Clarke - drums

7 - BADCLOUD MOMENT: Standing on a friends car suitably refreshed and getting a £600 bill next morning!

8 - DUTCH COURAGE: Jim Beam & coke

9 - BEST GIG EVER: Black Crowes, Aberdeen 89

10 - COLUMBO OR BERGERAC: "just one more question..."

1 - NAME: Ali Campbell - 3rd guitar/ keys/ banjo/ vox

2 - GREW UP WHERE: Aboyne Aberdeenshire

3 - INFLUENCES: Jayhawks, Mccartney, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Browne

4 - FAV SUNDOWN TRACK: Not even you

5 - FAVOURITE SUNDOWN LOCATION: Sorrento, Bay of Naples

6 - IDEAL SUPERGROUP: Sly Stone - vox, Peter Green - guit, Mccartney - bass, Charlie Watts - drums

7 - BADCLOUD MOMENT: Leaving uni

8 - DUTCH COURAGE: Tennants lager

9 - BEST GIG EVER: Ben Folds, Embra 2001

10 - COLUMBO OR BERGERAC: Bergerac

1 - NAME: Keith Jones - le bateur

2 - GREW UP WHERE: Drivin' tractors on the farm in East Lothian

3 - INFLUENCES: Enuff z Enuff, Evan Dando, Posies, Del Amitri, Fanclub.....

4 - FAV SUNDOWN TRACK: Tobaco road

5 - FAVOURITE SUNDOWN LOCATION: Sun up location! Durness in Sutherland, Scotland

6 - IDEAL SUPERGROUP: Vikki Fox - drums, Tom Petty - vox, Bob Mould - lead guit, Ken Stringfellow - rhythm, Juliana Hatfield - bass.

7 - BADCLOUD MOMENT: Ever sitting my ass on a push bike...a long story!

8 - DUTCH COURAGE: Professional lager of some description

9 - BEST GIG EVER: Enuff z Enuff & Cheap and Nasty, Glasgow barras 92.

10 - COLUMBO OR BERGERAC: "well theres just one thing that's been botherin' me"

1 - NAME: Simon Ritson - Bass

2 - GREW UP WHERE: Moffat, Dumfries

3 - INFLUENCES: Jellyfish, Sky, Motown, Live.....

4 - FAV SUNDOWN TRACK: Handlebars

5 - FAVOURITE SUNDOWN LOCATION: Kuala Belait, Brunei, overlooking south china sea

6 - IDEAL SUPERGROUP: Mike Oldfield - stuff, Herbie Flowers - bass & tuba, Jason Falkner - vox/guitar & other stuff, Ben Folds - piano, Bruce Katz -hammond B3, Neil Peart - drums

7 - BADCLOUD MOMENT: 2nd august 1992. 3.15pm. approximately.

8 - DUTCH COURAGE: Red wine

9 - BEST GIG EVER: Jellyfish - Edinburgh venue, 1990/1?

10 - COLUMBO OR BERGERAC: Bergerac