Interview with The Placks - Acclaimed Celtic Infused Scottish Highlands Band
A new Celtic band, based in the Scottish Highlands called The Placks is about to release a debut album, 'Rebellious Sons', which is receiving much acclaim and positive reviews. The band has been described as playing 'a dynamite mixture of Celtic infused punk rock and folk, with melody.' Combining guitar, accordion, fiddle, the band includes two former world champion pipe band members in their ranks.
Proudly Scottish, The Placks are firm supporters of Scotland's pro-independence movement. At the same time they are keen to reach out to the worldwide Celtic community, also sharing their music with as wide an audience as possible.
With this in mind they will move from a studio project to a live band arranging tours and making festival appearances. The band's name comes from Scots word Plack (Scottish Gaelic: Plang), which was an ancient Scottish coin of the value of four Scots pennies.
Transceltic’s Exclusive Interview with The Placks
Transceltic’s Alastair Kneale interviewed Clan Chief MacPlack from The Placks in January 2019. Looking at their influences, authentic musical style, future plans, as well as their views on Scottish independence.
1. Congratulations on your success to date, what are you plans going forward?
The band are just about to record and release their debut album, 'The Rebellious Sons', which is getting much acclaim and excitement. I have been lucky enough to tour across the world with the likes of Dropkick Murphys and now we have been invited to play a show with Flogging Molly. We are called The Placks, which is an ancient Scots 4 penny coin. We aim to reach out to the Celtic community worldwide and arrange tours and festival appearances as thanks to good people like you, there is an enormous appetite for all things authentic.
2. How did you meet and decide to form the band 'The Placks'?
I moved home 3 years ago after living down south for a few years and had in my head for a wee while that when I got home I would start a Celtic Punk band fused with traditional Celtic folk instruments. Our drummer, Fraser said there was a guy I should meet, Andy Mac, now Andy MacPlack, as he would be a great person to have on board and as he carves wooden objects with a chainsaw, I thought "he'll do"! Black Jack Reese, now Black Jack MacPlack, was a local bassist that Fraser had played in bands with before, including in a Pipe Band which won the world championships! Davie MacPlack joined recently on accordion and we are in are just bringing fiddle players and a pipes player on board at the moment due to the interest generated by our initial recording, so it's time to get our act together and move from a studio project to a live band.
3. How would you describe your music and is there a Scottish traditional musical influence?
An original mix of melodic punk rock and folk music with a big dollop of rock & roll.
4. Scotland's movement in support of independence has resulted in huge rallies. What is your view of independence for Scotland and has this inspired your music?
We are very pro-independence. Scotland is one of the richest countries on earth in terms of resources. Norway, which discovered the oil at the same time as Scotland, is now the richest country on earth with trillions on deposit, whilst Scotland which has had to watch England take all the income from the oil, England made Scotland close their stock exchanges as soon a oil was discovered so it all went to London, England has managed to take the "UK" if you can call it that, trillions in debt!!!
Every report you read says Scotland would thrive so London make the reports top secret and does not allow them in the press. It is an appalling situation.
None of us are anti-English in any way, we have many great friends who re English, but we all believe it's time for Scotland to take control of her own affairs and sink or swim as it is not the middle ages. Alas London will do anything to keep Scotland's huge resources so plays every trick in the book to deceive the Scottish public and control the media at every turn. It's such a shame as we are all friends but London does not see it like that.
5. You are about to release a debut album. Are you excited about this and how would you describe the album
We are very excited as people who have heard the demos are saying it's the best new music they have heard in years and think we have created a new genre of music all on our own. I am not so sure about that but it's great it's positive. The material is very varied and we can't wait to unleash it on to an unsuspecting public! It will be on Wild Colonial Records.
6. Inter-Celtic festivals take place throughout the world. Do The Placks have any plans to tour internationally?
We would love to take our music far and wide as we believe we have a product that will strike a chord with people far and wide and we are working very hard to ensure our live show is something truly special. When you add the fact that we are the real deal, based in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands, then hopefully the band will be very well received.
7. What’s next for ‘The Placks’ and how do you see the future for the band?
Hopefully a debut album that is well received, playing far and wide, seeing places we can only dream of and meeting good people along the way. As long as it is fun and enjoyable then I think given half a chance, this band could make it's mark in a truly amazing global Celtic world.
- English
