GLASGOW POLICE PIPE BAND JOIN BRITISH DRUM CO

Two months after a successful launch of their Axial Series at The World Pipe Band Championships held at Glasgow in August this year, the British Drum Co. can now proudly add the Glasgow Police Pipe Band to its Artists Roster.

Glasgow Police Pipe Band (formerly Strathclyde Police) was formed in 1883 as the ‘Burgh of Govan Police’ and is the most successful Grade 1 Pipe Band in history, winning the World Pipe Band Championships on 21 occasions.  A feat unmatched in the grade.  The band’s first place prizes include the following:

• 4 times Scottish Pipe Band Champions

• 12 times British Pipe Band Champions

• 10 times European Pipe Band Champions

• 11 times Cowal Highland Gathering Pipe Band Champions

• 13 times Champion of Champions

• 21 times RSPBA World Pipe Band Championships

The band consists of a mix of serving Police officers and civilians and performs at prestigious events for Police Scotland and other organisations all around the world, in addition to their competition season. The band’s main sponsor is the Scottish Police Federation and is under the direction of Pipe Major Alisdair McLaren and Drum Sergeant David Henderson.

The British Drum Company, which launched in September 2015, was founded by master drum maker Keith Keough; Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews; top-level marching specialist Stu Warmington; product designer Alan Kitching; and award winning comedian and drum enthusiast Al Murray, aka The Pub Landlord. The ranks expanded when in 2017 The Verve & Charlatans drummer, Pete Salisbury, joined the company. 

Commenting on the addition of Glasgow Police Pipe Band to the British Drum Co. family of artists, Marching Division Manager Warmington said,  “I’m thoroughly honoured that Glasgow Police have chosen to use the British Drum Co. Axial Series as part of their set up for the forthcoming seasons. You’ve only got to look at the band’s history to know the drums are in safe hands. Glasgow police are an incredible band and I’m very excited to see what the future brings”. 

Leading Drummer David Henderson replied, “I am excited for the Glasgow Police Pipe Band to become the first Pipe Band Drum Corps endorsed by the British Drum Co.  BDC’s Axial Series of Pipe Band snare, bass and tenor drums are the pinnacle of precision engineering and craftsmanship by Keith Keough and his fantastic BDC team. The attention to detail is excellent with a striking design, but most importantly, the quality of sound is exceptional! The solidity, consistency and projection from the snare drums coupled with the innovation, stability and resonance from the bass and tenors make the BDC range second to none. I have complete faith that these drums will serve us well and I can’t wait to get them out on the competition field!”

Keough replied adding a Grade 1 pipe band was absolute key to the success of the Axial Range and I can think of no one better to take our drums on first than The Glasgow Police Pipe Band. I look forward to the future and what this great pairing can achieve together.