14 June 2006

ROCK A BOYD BABY..

Exclusive Rings star's guitar gift for newborn

Beverley Lyons And Cath Bennett



LORD of the Rings star Billy Boyd is so passionate about music he has already bought his newborn baby son Jack a guitar.



And the actor loves playing live so much he says he wants to perform alongside The Proclaimers.



The diminutive Scot rocked with his first band gig in 20 years in the early hours of yesterday morning.



His audience at Glasgow's Oran Mor were treated to five of his self-penned songs as part of The Freshman sponsored Mixing Rooms gig at the West End Festival.



As he came off stage with his new band The Angel's Share, he revealed to the Razz that he hopes his talents run in the family.



He said: "I've already got my son Jack a wee guitar. You press a button and it plays music with a cartoon effect.


"I wasn't sure whether to get him here tonight because I'm not sure if I want to introduce him to the rock 'n' roll experience just yet."



Billy, who teamed up with old school pals and former Foreign Country bandmates drummer John Crawford, guitarist Billy Johnston, and local bass player Ricky Martin to play the small gig, was excited to get back in to the music world.



He said: "It's weird now because I 'm known for different things, but so far, so good."



Billy has been preparing for his gig with impromptu appearances over the last few years. He said: "I did a couple of songs with the Dubliners in LA last year and I played for a wrap party too.



"I sang The Proclaimers' song Jean at an Oscars party. I met their drummer, who said he liked it and he's going to ask Charlie and Craig if I can play with them. I'd love to."



He currently has a number of projects on the go and is in talks to appear in Irvine Welsh's new film, Ecstasy.



But Billy says he would consider swapping films for a musical path in the future.



He said: "I know some people have a real thing about changing arts, saying you shouldn't do it, but it's all about having fun. Who knows what I might do? As long as it's enjoyable, I'll be there."



Billy's band have written some original tracks with the help of Scots music maker John McLaughlin and they are currently in the middle of recording an album.



They've also contributed to the soundtrack for a film called Save Angel Hope and a cartoon series, which Billy is due to voice.



He joined Record Mixing Rooms competition winner Maeve O'Boyle and up-and coming bands Eoscene and Diesel bone on the bill.



And he said: "When I knew Jack was coming along I cancelled a lot of acting parts and it's been great spending time on this and being at home."

7 June 2006
EXCLUSIVE: BOYD BAND
Exclusive Rings star Billy lines up Scots debut gig at pub
By Beverley Lyons

LORD of the Rings star Billy Boyd will play his first live music gig in Scotland next week.

Billy has got together a posse of his bandmates from the Eighties to form new group, Angels Share, and he says he can't wait to perform to an audience of 500 as part of Glasgow's West End Festival.

The actor has spent the last eight months rehearsing and writing with drummer John Crawford, guitarist Billy Johnston and bass player Ricky Martin for his surprise appearance at Glasgow's Oran Mor pub and nightclub this Monday.

Billy, who has just become a new dad, exclusively told the Razz: "I've always been in bands and written songs, even before I was an actor. That was my first love and still is.

"Because I've just become a father to my wee boy Jack I've been spending a lot of time with my family and enjoying Glasgow again. It's given me even more time to concentrate on writing."

Billy and the guys first started making music together 20 years ago as the group Foreign Country. Drummer John explains: "We played pubs and clubs in the late Eighties. Now that Billy's made it in the movies, he sees this as a chance to have some fun with his mates."

John says the band spent a while thinking up a new name for the group. He explains: "We were battering names about for the last six months before we got the right one.

"We decided to call ourselves Angels Share two days ago because Billy and Ricky both love their whisky and Angels Share is whisky that evaporates when it's in the barrel." The musicians are currently recording an album and have written some original tracks to appear on the soundtrack for a manga cartoon and Billy's forthcoming movie, Save Angel Hope.

Billy, who is about to start filming Irvine Welsh's book, Ecstasy, reckons his music has been inspired by everyone from Snow Patrol to Bruce Springsteen.

He says: "I'm really looking forward to playing and letting people hear my new songs. It's more contemporary music now."

Scots music maker John McLaughlin, who has been lending an ear and a hand to the boys, says: "Billy and the band were recording and writing some material and invited me to have a wee listen. I was knocked out by what they were doing."

The guys will play and harmonise on four of their own songs at the Oran Mor show.

John is hosting the concert as an extension of the Daily Record's recent Mixing Room competition, which encourages new talent in Scotland.

At the Mixing Rooms@Oran Mor night, sponsored by Freshman guitars, former Del Amitri guitarist Bryan Tolland will perform with his group Secret Heroes, while Daily Record competition winner Maeve O'Boyle, Eoscene, Coast, Pacific Avenue, Dieselbone and Alan Kranney make up the rest of the bill.

Tickets are available from Ticket web, Oran Mor and the Mixing Rooms. New bands are invited to hand CDs in behind the bar for the attention of creative director Thomas McCann.

DISCLAIMER: I wish I could say I know Billy. Sadly, I don't. Not even a little bit. Also, you should know the standard disclaimer by now, so I'll put it in my own, far more colorful vernacular: The sayin's and notions on this site are the sayin's and notions of the gal that takes care of this place and they ain't got nothin' whatsoever to do with Mr. Boyd or his official website. It's all my doin'. But I'd probably buy a used car from the dude that runs Billy's site. He's a pretty good dude.

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