16 tracks of our favorite music through the years, re-recorded live at the Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD to commemorate our 25th anniversary. Three pipers strong for this one with drums and keyboard in all the right places. Enjoy the fun!

Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally

16 tracks of our favorite music through the years, re-recorded live at the Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD to commemorate our 25th anniversary. Three pipers strong for this one with drums and keyboard in all the right places. Enjoy the fun!

Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally well-played pipes and driving percussion and have become award-winning international artists. From Scottish Highland games to performing with a symphony orchestra, The Rogues deliver a commanding performance. Starting at the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1994, the band soon began performing out of state and added Scottish Highland Games and Celtic festivals and corporate shows. The band has produced it's own theater show called Celtic Crossroads, performed as a guest artist with the Air Force Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC and had music featured in the 2011 film "Kill the Irishman.". They also won 1st place in the original Strangford-Lough Celtic Battle of the Bands. The Rogues have performed in Las Vegas, Scotland, Greece, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Canada, several cruises and all over the United States. Usually performing with 2 pipers and 2 percussionists, our roster includes 12 top notch players from around the country. Members of the band have competed all over North America and Scotland, and won 1st place at the 1998 World Pipe Band Championships in Grade III, performing with the Hamilton Pipe Band out of Houston, TX. The Rogues have produced 10 albums and 2 DVDs to date and are listed in the official Grammy book for several nominations, though falling short of the final 5. The Rogues have a tradition of supporting charities, sometimes holding their own fundraisers supporting individuals and causes for soldiers. The band even has it's own tartan in the Scottish Register of Tartans. That Tartan is the background for the website!

CelticMusicPodcast.com Marc Gunn

"They shook the world with revolutionary bagpipe and drum music and led to a dozen imitators."

Ken Arpino - Director, Wolfsbane Productions August 31, 2017

"The Rogues are a great addition to any special event or concert series. Their high energy sets mixed with fun-loving personalities are sure to please any crowd. We will be happy to work with them again!"

Dr. Gilbert Corella, Music Director, Loudoun Symphonic Winds June 03, 2017

"The intense rhythms of the drums combined with the nostalgic sounds of the bagpipes energized all! The Rogues with the Loudoun Symphonic Winds drove the audience to their feet in a frenzy we haven’t seen before!"

Maryland Renaissance Festival Carolyn Spedden - Artistic Director

"On the Rogues' first performance day I stood at the back of the crowd to observe. By the end of the first song the crowd went wild. The atmosphere was charged with energy. The response was terrific and has stayed that way over many seasons."

Texas Renaissance Festival David Casey - Entertainment Director

"A lone piper bleating a mournful tune is one thing, The Rogues quite another. They are a genuine band that galvanizes an audience with precisely played rhythms and moves them through the hidden mysteries of Scottish tradition - they can make an Iranian wistful for Scotland! Their performance is a measured blend of stately hymns and rabble rousing anthems. It moves from dignity through defiance to abandoned joy and most important, the audience feels it."

Quotes From Fans

“Please consider coming back this year…I’ve been going to the faire for ten years and your group is the first to get a standing ovation.” - Kristin Olsen, Wisconsin

"Bought the Rogues "Made in Texas" at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in 2004. Have been wearin' it out in my truck stereo to and from work ever since. Already replaced the speakers....twice!" - Bernard M. Boyle, Maryland

“I had the pleasure of seeing you perform in Kansas City this year. It was the highlight of the weekend, as I have told a great number of my friends. Thank you for your wonderful music and for the information.” - Michael E. Longfellow, Kansas City, MO

"I’ve surfed around the web to different links for Celtic music and have found nothing to compare with your sound. The haunting melodies and sensuous rhythms, the magnificent harmonies and lively tempos, the fun and energy are just the best combination of pleasure to the senses. I hate to think we have to wait another year to see you perform again!" - Barbara Hunt, Springfield, Virginia

Houston Chronicle Eileen McClelland

"Bagpipes and drums in the wrong hands could be deafening. But under the influence of the kilt-clad Rogues, the effect is smoothly mesmerizing. Fans follow the Houston-based band around the country, from Renaissance fairs and Highland games to McGonigel's Mucky Duck tonight."

Celtic Music Magazine Rhonda Eudaly November 18, 2014

When The Rogues' “Hellbound Sleigh” came up for review I jumped at it - even though I'm generally a stickler for not listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. This, I thought, would be a fun addition to my Christmas music collection. I figured it would be weirdly irreverent with the title. I was surprised.

Apart from the title track, Hellbound Sleigh is mostly a lovely and lively collection of familiar Christmas and Holiday songs - some stand alone, others as part of medleys. Most are instrumental with pipes and bagpipes, violins and drums - along with other instruments that do give these time-honored classics unique elements. For the traditional Celts, and because there aren't that many New Year's songs, The Rogues appeal to all with "Ros' Hogmanay".

I have friends who are bellydancers. I can totally see this album as the base of a holiday-themed dance routine for them. There's a tribal sense to the instrumentals that make you want to move to the rhythm. That's not so hard to imagine since there are tracks like "March, Pat-a-Pan and Reel" and "Christmas Eve Reel/The Maple Leaf/Joy to the World" medley.

There are amazing - and different - combinations of songs on this album, too. I wouldn't ever have considered melding "Jingle Bells" with "Good King Wenceslas", but this works. It really works - to the point that I'm really looking forward to having this in my Christmas playlist just for the fact that it's “different” and very intricate and cool. My church has a symphonic violin player. I'm very tempted to make him listen to "O Holy Night/Ave Maria" because it's beautifully performed and haunting at the same time. The skill and musicianship is intricate and skilled.

If you're like me and buy a new Christmas album each year, this is the one to get this year.

Piper and Drummer Online Andrew Berthoff October 03, 1999

The Rogues Create a Celtic Joyride

Unique and fun interpretations result in an often brilliant recording

Only a decade ago, most North American Celtic groups were just loose imitations of bands like Battlefield, Tannahill Weavers, and Osian. Today, the United States, in particular, appears to be not just riding the wave of interest in Celtic music, but creating its own tidal force.

The Rogues - the Houston, Texas, quartet of two pipers and two percussionists – have just released “Off Kilter,” their fourth recording, which presents a quite unique and distinctly modern take on the Celtic idiom.

It would be a mistake for competing pipers and drummers to take one look at the group and dismiss them as a bunch of Rob Roy revivalists, like those seen around many North American Highland games. The Rogues’ puffy shirted look is part of the overall spectacle.

“Off Kilter” is a distinctly modern approach to piping and drumming. But, unlike many of today’s Celtic music groups, The Rogues don’t seem to have much time for synthesizers or anything electronic, for that matter. With only one exception, their stuff is done using traditional instruments.

Their music, though, is anything but traditional. “Off Kilter” is a ceilidh of musical surprises, the most intriguing of which seem to be from piper Lars Sloan. Three tracks in particular – “Miss. P.,” “’Scuse Me?” and “Guinness Dog” – are wonderfully creative. From the dog barking samples in “Guinness Dog” to the bizarre vocal interjections in “’Scuse Me?,” Sloan’s compositions put an accent on fun, and usually come up with a percussion groove that makes the pipe music surge.

And it is the percussion that is perhaps the best overall part of “Off Kilter.” Bodhran, congas, bongos, claves, and God knows what else drive the whole thing along at a crazy pace. The only parts of the recording that get a bit ponderous are the points where the groups goes only with Highland pipes and pipe band snare, as in the start of the last track of hornpipes and reels. It’s relatively unexciting, but then the group gets grooving again with drum set and a more driving tempo.

“Off Kilter” is a difficult thing to summarize musically. The piping is very good, the instruments are well tuned, and the spirit is intensely positive. One thing’s for sure: the piping puritans will hate it.

Award-winning pipers and percussionists combined with other instruments and creative original arrangements that will have you dancing one moment and moved to tears the next.

Hellbound Sleigh is the 10th album by The Rogues and is filled with musical surprises that make every track unique. Now everyone can have what has been missing from their

Award-winning pipers and percussionists combined with other instruments and creative original arrangements that will have you dancing one moment and moved to tears the next.

Hellbound Sleigh is the 10th album by The Rogues and is filled with musical surprises that make every track unique. Now everyone can have what has been missing from their Christmas music collections – bagpipes! Joined by EJ Jones on small pipes and whistle (www.piperjones.com) and Miriam-Rose Leduc on traditional Scottish fiddle (www.highlandlassies.com), Hellbound Sleigh is a treat for Celtic music connoisseurs and lovers of Christmas music everywhere.

"A lone piper bleating a mournful tune is one thing, The Rogues quite another. They are a genuine band that galvanizes an audience with precisely played rhythms and moves them through the hidden mysteries of Scottish tradition - they can make an Iranian wistful for Scotland! Their performance is a measured blend of stately hymns and rabble rousing anthems. It moves from dignity through defiance to abandoned joy and most important, the audience feels it. Some shows beg for audience participation - The Rogues induce it..." - David Casey, Entertainment Director-Texas Renaissance Festival

Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally well-played pipes and driving percussion. From street festivals to Scottish Highland games to performing with a symphony orchestra, The Rogues deliver a commanding performance. Starting at the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1994, the band soon began performing out of state and added Scottish Highland Games and Celtic festivals and corporate shows. The band has produced it's own theater show called Celtic Crossroads and performed as a guest artist with the Air Force Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC. The Rogues have performed in Las Vegas, Greece, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Canada, several cruises and all over the United States. Members of the band have competed all over North America and won 1st place at the World Pipe Band Championships. The Rogues have produced 9 albums and 2 DVDs to date and are listed in the official Grammy book for several nominations, though falling short of the final 5. The Rogues have a tradition of supporting charities, sometimes holding their own fundraisers supporting individuals and causes for soldiers. The band even has it's own tartan in the Scottish Register of Tartans. Instrumentation

Randy Wothke - Percussion, keyboard, bodhran, Drum Kit, SCOTTISH SNARE DRUM Lars Sloan - Percussion, Highland bagpipes Bryan Blaylock - Percussion, bodhran Jimmy Mitchell - Highland bagpipes Ewan Brown - Guitar, Percussion, Drum Kit, bagpipes, Whistle Kyle Grasty - Highland bagpipes Discography

Scottish Rogues 1995 Hollerin' for Haggis! 1996 Live in Canada, Eh? 1997 Off Kilter 1999 The Rogues 5.0 2001 Made in Texas Double CD 2003 Made in Texas DVD 2003 Roguetrip 2005 American Highlander 2008 3 LBS of Rage 2010 Hellbound Sleigh 2013

RECENT PERFORMANCES

Annapolis Irish Festival Annapolis, MD Guest Artist with Air Force Symphony Washington, DC Maryland Renaissance Festival Annapolis, MD Columbus Scottish Festival Columbus, IN WV Scottish Festival and Celtic Gathering Bridgeport, WV Firelake Grand Casino Oklahoma City, OK Monte Carlo Casino Las Vegas, NV North Texas Irish Festival Dallas, TX Celtic Fling Manheim, PA Celtic Fest Chicago Chicago, IL US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Alma Highland Games Alma MI Mykonos, Greece Detroit Highland Games Detroit, MI Almonte Celtic Festival Almonte, Ottawa, CANADA Fergus Scottish Festival Fergus, Otario, CANADA Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival Manheim, PA Floydfest Floyd, VA Frog and Onion Pub Bermuda Scarborough Faire Waxahachie, TX

Bagpipes, acoustic and electronic, driving percussion, keyboards and guitars combined to create the most daring Rogues album to date, which includes everything from beautiful traditional Breton melodies to original Top 40 and Funk.

This album is dedicated to the memory of our good friend, Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson. The powerful original tune, "The

Bagpipes, acoustic and electronic, driving percussion, keyboards and guitars combined to create the most daring Rogues album to date, which includes everything from beautiful traditional Breton melodies to original Top 40 and Funk.

This album is dedicated to the memory of our good friend, Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson. The powerful original tune, "The Warrior's Salute," is named in his honor. We'd like to thank everyone in the Rogues family for being so supportive through the good times and the bad... without you we are dust. We'd also like to thank all of our friends and family for the way they keep the faith, keep us sane, and keep us coming home. Likewise, meeting and befriending Frank Thompson and all of Mayhem's family has been the brightest part of a dark year. Finally, we'd like to thank Mayhem for showing us that heroes do indeed walk the Earth.

The Rogues would like to thank Al Cofrin, Klaus Weiland, Richard Kean, Jason Evert, Nick LaGrasta, Zack Goodrick, and Steve Ashley for their musical and creative contributions to this album. We would also like to thank Jack Westmoreland for the use of his many percussion instruments, Jeff Jack for the use of the small pipes, and Ken Knezzick for the doumbek. Thanks also to Andy Bradley, Tyson Sheth, and Sugarhill Recording Studios in Houston, TX, as well as Heritage Studios in Burlington, Ontaio.

Jeremy and E.J. would like to thank Mike Cusack, their piping instructor.

Special thanks to Sharon, Lauren, Leisa and Linda for putting up with us while making this album and keeping us sane through all the late hours. And, of course, thanks to Clarence the studio cat for assisting us on his fourth Rogues album.

High energy bagpipes with rockin' percussion, bass and guitar give you an incredible live experience.

"Made in Texas," is a rockin', high energy double CD that promises a very good listen. Although recorded live, it is studio quality sound, with graphics to match. This hour and a half long double CD puts you in the front row at a Rogues show.

High energy bagpipes with rockin' percussion, bass and guitar give you an incredible live experience.

"Made in Texas," is a rockin', high energy double CD that promises a very good listen. Although recorded live, it is studio quality sound, with graphics to match. This hour and a half long double CD puts you in the front row at a Rogues show. Recorded at McGonigel's Mucky Duck Pub in Houston, hear The Rogues at their best with rockin', high-energy sets, as well as beautiful, inspirational pipe tunes. The band is joined by a few musician friends, creating a fantastic ensemble blend of bagpipes with drums, electric guitar, bass, keyboard, French horn, and flute. Listen to The Rogues bring the house down, (yes, they were dancing on the tables), and have the best time you've had in a while.

Band Description

Smokin' bagpipes and driving percussion only begins to describe a Rogues performance. Heart stirring music, performed like only The Rogues can, will make your experience unforgettable. Everyone becomes a Scot during a Rogues' show, and watch out, you might be moved to jump up and dance before it's over. Through their high-spirited and moving music, humour, and the best set of knees this side of the Tweed, The Rogues create a unique experience with their blend of Scottish bagpipes and drums. Join in the fun and see why everyone is talking about The Rogues.

Biography

Formed in Houston, Texas in 1994, The Rogues have now become international performers, with appearances all over North America and Scotland. They have shared the stage with Natalie McMaster, The Battlefield Band, Steeleye Span, and Eric Rigler (Bad Haggis), and have become the favourite act at numerous festivals and Scottish events around the country. Their fifth album, "The Rogues 5.0," earned four Grammy nominations, as well as two Grammy nominations on their previous album, "Off Kilter." The Rogues' newest release, "Made in Texas," in an hour-and-a-half long double CD that puts you in the frontt row at a Rogues show. This recording is also avaliable as a DVD. The music, combined with their unique presentation, makes for a show you will not forget. For more information on The Rogues, go to their website at www.therogues.com.

Smokin' bagpipes, high energy percussion and more create Celtic music like you've never heard.

Get ready to rock, Scottish style! These boisterous, spirited and international-award-winning pipers and drummers are back to turn the pub upside down with their fantastic style of highland music...not to mention the sexiest bunch of knees ever to brush

Smokin' bagpipes, high energy percussion and more create Celtic music like you've never heard.

Get ready to rock, Scottish style! These boisterous, spirited and international-award-winning pipers and drummers are back to turn the pub upside down with their fantastic style of highland music...not to mention the sexiest bunch of knees ever to brush the hem of a kilt!

Dear Rogues: I heard one of your CD's while visiting my cousin in Galveston, and it kicked my ass." - Rick Lacey, Jonestown, TX

"My wife and I were fortunate enough to take in your performance at Ceilidh '97. While we both love the pipes we had never heard anything quite the likes of you and your particular twist of Scottish humor. ... On the night of the Ceilidh we purchased your CD with the tan/cream coloured cover, and I must say in the next few short weeks since then have nearly worn the grooves off of it." - Keith & Carole Crawley, Ontario, CANADA

"I had the pleasure of seeing you perform in Kansas City this year. It was the highlight of the weekend, as I have told a great number of my friends. Thank you for your wonderful music and for the information." - Michaul E. Longfellow, Kansas City, MO

"A lone piper bleating a mournful tune is one thing, The Rogues quite another. They are a genuine band that galvanizes an audience with precisely played rhythms and moves them the the hidden mysteries of Scottish tradition - they can make an Iranian wistful for Scotland! Their performance is a measured blend of stately hymns and rabble rousing anthems, it moves from dignity through defiance to abandoned joy and most important, the auidence feels it. Some shows beg for audiences participation; The Rogues induce it. When they are joined by Highland dancers, the energy doubles and is palpable. ... I can't think of any situations where they would not be a huge addition." - David Casey - General Manager, Texas Renaissance Festival

"The Rogues Live in Canada, Eh? (The Rogues) What would a Texas pipe band be doing as a ceilidh in Burlington, Ontario? Well, judging from the sound of this, having one hell of a good time. With two Highland pipers (Lars Sloan and Jimmy Mitchel) and two precussionists (Randy Wothke and Bryan Blaylock), the music the Rogues play is anything but subtle. Recorded live in front of an enthusiastic audience, the band powers its way through a number of sets of bagpipe tunes, many of which they composed themselves. There are a few breaks for songs, but the emphasis is on the pipes (as well it should be), as both Sloan and Mitchel are fine players. The set winds down, as any good ceilidh should, with renditions of "Scotland the Brave" and "Amazing Grace". Play this loud, it's guaranteed to annoy the neighbors and the cats!" - (JLE) - Dirty Linen Magazine - October/November '98 #78

Get ready to rock Scottish style with these boisterous, spirited and international award-winning bagpipers and percussionists who are in the Grammy Book twice on this unique album.

The following article appeared in the October 1999 edition of "The world's best piping and drumming publication" Piper & Drummer magazine

The Rogues Create a Celtic

Get ready to rock Scottish style with these boisterous, spirited and international award-winning bagpipers and percussionists who are in the Grammy Book twice on this unique album.

The following article appeared in the October 1999 edition of "The world's best piping and drumming publication" Piper & Drummer magazine

The Rogues Create a Celtic Joyride Unique and fun interpretations result in an often brilliant recording

by Andrew Berthoff

Only a decade ago, most North American Celtic groups were just loose imitations of bands like Battlefield, Tannahill Weavers, and Osian. Today, the United States, in particular, appears to be not just riding the wave of interest in Celtic music, but creating its own tidal force.

The Rogues - the Houston, Texas, quartet of two pipers and two percussionists - have just released "Off Kilter," their fourth recording, which presents a quite unique and distinctly modern take on the Celtic idiom.

It would be a mistake for competing pipers and drummers to take one look at the group and dismiss them as a bunch of Rob Roy revivalists, like those seen around many North American Highland games. The Rogues' puffy shirted look is part of the overall spectacle.

"Off Kilter" is a distinctly modern approach to piping and drumming. But, unlike many of today's Celtic music groups, The Rogues don't seem to have much time for synthesizers or anything electronic, for that matter. With only one exception, their stuff is done using traditional instruments.

Their music, though, is anything but traditional. "Off Kilter" is a ceilidh of musical surprises, the most intriguing of which seem to be from piper Lars Sloan. Three tracks in particular - "Miss. P.," "'Scuse Me?" and "Guinness Dog" - are wonderfully creative. From the dog barking samples in "Guinness Dog" to the bizarre vocal interjections in "'Scuse Me?," Sloan's compositions put an accent on fun, and usually come up with a percussion groove that makes the pipe music surge.

And it is the percussion that is perhaps the best overall part of "Off Kilter." Bodhran, congas, bongos, claves, and God knows what else drive the whole thing along at a crazy pace. The only parts of the recording that get a bit ponderous are the points where the groups goes only with Highland pipes and pipe band snare, as in the start of the last track of hornpipes and reels. It's relatively unexciting, but then the group gets grooving again with drum set and a more driving tempo.

"Off Kilter" is a difficult thing to summarize musically. The piping is very good, the instruments are well tuned, and the spirit is intensely positive. One thing's for sure: the piping puritans will hate it.

Wanted to say thanks for the "Off Kilter" CD you gave me at the studio the other night ... It is absolutely one of the best in the genre that I've heard in twenty plus years of recording ... and that is saying a lot. You guys did a killer job, and so did Andy ... very impressive piece of work! Thanks for turning me onto it. Regards, - Karl A. Caillouet - Heights Sound Studio - www.hsound.com