
ABOUT

“Melbourne outfit Claymore are a unique band within the Australian music scene. Drawing on generations of Irish and Scottish folk tradition, Claymore’s biggest strength lies in their ability to blend it with contemporary sounds, forging a band like no other.” – Australian Musician


Forget everything you’ve ever thought you knew about Celtic rock bands, because Melbourne-based outfit, Claymore, defies all expectations. This enigmatic band of multi-instrumentalists not only manages to combine traditional elements of Celtic music, but they take that passion and soul and rock it right into the 21st century. Few bands can pull off the sensitive task of re-educating the traditional realm into the modern day, but that’s something of a specialty for Claymore. Not only that, but they manage to write beautiful original Celtic compositions, and even lend their style to some power rock classics, all with an Irish and Scottish twist.
Now recognised as a premier Australian Celtic band in worldwide circles, Claymore have a host of impressive album releases under their belt and a long list of festival performances to their name, including headlining position at Australia’s largest folk event. The band has an unquenchable desire to deliver a powerful and unique musical experience, and that’s exactly what they do – so it’s no surprise they’re a leader in the Gaelic genre. Since the band’s inception more than two decades ago, they’ve released five impressive albums, and performed internationally from gigs in New York, Scotland and New Zealand, to several headline appearances at the reputed Festival Interceltique De Lorient France. Combine this with performances at the biggest festivals on the Australian circuit such as the National Celtic Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Big Blues Day Out, Perth International Arts Festival and Brunswick Music Festival to name a few, and you’ve got an impressive musical resume.
Although many Celtic bands may come and go, each sounding remarkably like the other, the point of difference with Claymore is within the term ‘rock’. They add a current flavour, and interestingly, an inherent Australianness, to their music, bringing ole time traditional themes into the future, and appealing to audiences young and old. From the penetrating beats of the Bodhran in the battle songs of the Jacobite rebellion to the hypnotising drone of the pipes in the evocative love ballads of Scotland and Ireland, fans of the band find themselves conquered by the most fiery and delicate textures of Celtic music. While their style has been described as new age folk music, there is more passion, fire and enthusiasm that than genre allows. Combing a diverse mix of sounds from guitar, mandolin, fiddle, military snare and the highland bagpipes to even a didgeridoo, it’s no wonder Claymore have received international acclaim.
With their music recorded for prosperity and fans, new and old, clambering to purchase CDs at their concerts, it is with their live show that Claymore really shines. Celtic music has always been known to have vibrancy, but with Claymore the audience is transported on more than a traditional experience, their performance is what you would expect from a full band in a rock stadium. Whether it is playing to an intimate crowd in a darkened pub or to a rowdy mob of thousands at a festival, Claymore put on the same pitch perfect performance. But that in itself shouldn’t be surprising, after all, the members of Claymore have all had stellar musical careers and are each accomplished in their own right. With musical nuance and the chemistry that just clicked as the members came together to form Claymore, each individual manages to bring something different and special to the fore. The liveliness of the instrumentation to the consummate skill of the performers, each of whom sport the ability to play several different instruments, and prove this skill effortlessly, there is something about this band that speeds up the heart rate, and settles into the soul of all music lovers. An experience with Claymore is an unforgettable one, and whether you know the songs or not, and whether you can understand the meaning behind the lyrics, one thing is certain, you’ll fall in love with the music and the band.


William Hutton (lead vocals, guitar & Bodhran, Manager) – born in Scotland, William is the founding member of Claymore. He’s performed extensively throughout Australia and overseas and is recognised as one of the finest singers of traditional songs. This, coupled with a strong knowledge of the history of Celtic music puts him at the forefront of his field. He is also a laugh a minute – it would be hard to pick a more entertaining and enigmatic front man.
Michael Doyle (guitar, mandolin, fiddle, Bodhran & vocals) – born in Melbourne, Michael is one of the most acclaimed lead guitarists in the music world. His accomplishments include a long playing career with Colleen Hewitt and a hit single ‘Winner’ with the 1980s rock group Atlantis. He is equally at home on the mandolin and is also an impressive vocalist.
Grant Scroggie (highland bagpipes, guitar, tin whistle, vocals & Bodhran) – born in Melbourne, Grant is easily one of the most recognised and impressive pipers in the world today. He evolved from the Australian Pipe Band scene to join the Celtic circuit and used his invaluable training to bring spark and expertise to Claymore. He is a multi-instrumentalist who masters everything he tries his hand at with consummate skill.
Craig Scroggie (drums, percussion & vocals) – born in Melbourne, Craig has been playing percussion since he was eight, including drum kit, congas, bongos, timbales, timpani, pipe band and military snare. He was ranked as one of the top drummers in the world at the 1994 World Drumming Championships in Glasgow and has been teaching percussion for over 15 years. He has also won numerous drumming awards in Australia and New Zealand.
Dash McIvor (bass guitar, Didge & vocals) – As well as being an award winning Producer/Engineer & qualified Music Teacher, Dash is also a competent Multi-Instrumentalist, Before joining Claymore, Dash had a long history of being proficient in a myriad of styles with an eclectic range of artists such as Thelma Houston, Peter Sarstedt, Kamahl, Jon Pertwee, Tony Bennet, Phil Manning, Angry Anderson, Max Bygraves, Normie Rowe, Col Elliott, Jean Stafford, Ronnie Burns, Johnny Chester, & Peggy Seeger to name but a few. He’s now the driving Celtic heart of Claymore.
Mick Mills (drums & percussion) – born in Canberra, Mick has been playing music since he was 14 and, in that time, has mastered the likes of the guitar, drums, percussion and the piano to name a few. He has toured Australia and the US in concert bands and spent literally hundreds of hours as a session/recording artist. He has also performed in original bands such as Paris Calling, Undermind and DDM.
David Carr (Lead Guitar, Vocals) – David is an incredible musician and a master of many instruments
The lead guitar being the shining jewel in his arsenal. He is a very accomplished recording engineer with his own very successful recording studio located in the rolling hills behind Melbourne, “Rangemaster”.
Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, audio engineer, producer, mixdown engineer, broadcaster
Jack of all trades – Master of All.
Robert Iurato (sound engineer) – no band is complete without a fantastic sound engineer and Robert is undisputedly one of the best. He’s been in the audio industry for over 20 years, serving his training in the 1980s with an audio production company from where he progressed to work overseas in New York for a number of years in some of the top recording studios in the world. He is responsible for overseeing Claymore’s concert productions and front of house sound engineering.
The Glenbrae Dancers - The Glenbrae Celtic Dancers aim to maintain the traditions of Scottish dancing and to make it appealing to the participants by introducing both traditional and modern choreography. Ages range from 4 years upwards.


Some performance highlights:
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Skagen Festival Denmark
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National Celtic festival Australia
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Port Fairy Festival Australia
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Festival Interceltique, Lorient France
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Performances at the Celebration of the Celts in the USA and New York
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Apollo Bay Festival
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Glenn Innes Celtic Festival
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Perth international arts Festival Watershed
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Australian National Festival (Canberra)
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Brunswick Festival
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Stringy Bark Festival
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Kilmore Festival
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Three seasons at The Country Club Casino, Tasmania
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Thredbo Blues Festival
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The Myer Music Bowl Melbourne Australia Day
Plus Many More…..
Discography
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“Claymore" (1988)
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"The Heather Will Fade” (1993)
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“Tribute” (1999)
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“Celtic Music in Australia” – live compilation album (2000)
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“For Folks Sake” (2001).
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“A wee Bit Of Claymore” (2004)
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“Live @ the Emerald Lounge” (2007)
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“Reflection” (2008)
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“Firkin Live” (2009) DVD
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“Claymore Live Across Australia CD (2016)
