Bombskare was formed in the last years of the twentieth century, and has existed in some form or other since 1998, but the current line up began in 1999, as a ten piece: Andy Laidlaw (Vox) John Ross (Vox) Colin McCafferty (Trumpet) Cameron Sinclair (Drums) Mike Knox (Trombone) Chicken (Gtr) Joe Burden (Bass) Barry Pinkertonm (Keys) Jay Sloane (Sax) Bill Sinclair (Gtr).
Within weeks of forming, the band was given a fortnightly residency at The Postillion, which in itself characterises the bands no holds barred attitude, and outstanding live performances. These early gigs, whilst raw and often chaotic, quickly gave the band an impressive reputation for their live shows. By the time the band was playing other gigs in Edinburgh they had become a formidable live act, culminating in their performance at T in the Park in July 2000.
Since then there have been a number of line up changes. Chicken left the band to be replaced by Scott McCafferty, John Ross left to be replaced by Andy Pennycuick, both in 2000. By this time the band had expanded their musical repertoire and gigging experience to include supporting Bad Manners (several times), supporting The Selecter (several times), supporting the legendary Laurel Aitken, supporting the More Specials, supporting Mark Foggo's Skasters, and also playing just about every venue in the country, from the Glasgow Barrowlands to Lerwick.
The band made several recordings and released the Lies/Dance to Ska single at around this time. In 2001 Bill Sinclair left the band to be replaced by Murray Graham, formerly of Edinburgh - based band Proi. With Murray's arrival the band had expanded their range with more vocals and more diverse song writing. However, in addition Cammy Sinclair, the bands influential and colourful drummer, left to pursue other musical avenues, leaving a very large hole to fill. Step forward Mark Bray to replace the irreplaceable. The most significant line up change was the departure of Andy Laidlaw, the bands irreverent twenty stone front man.
For many Big Andy was Bombskare and his departure was a huge blow. The band immediately realised that Andy was irreplaceable and did not even try. With characteristic determination, the band closed ranks and collectively shared Andy Laidlaw's job within the band. Attempts to make Andy Pennycuick put on weight to make up for the gap on stage, proved fruitless. Since then Barry Pinkerton left to be replaced by Mathew Bartlett, veteran session player. In early 2005 Mark Bray departed and in came Vinnie ‘Van’ Bonnar, an old friend of Andy and Scott, to replace the replacer of the irreplaceable. More recently Tom ‘Judge’ Pickles joined the band, expanding the horn section to a four piece, and the band back to its natural state, a ten piece ska juggernaut. The instrumentation within the band is now pretty extensive: three vocals, harmonica, guitars, bass, keyboards, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trombone, trumpet, drums. It really is a ska orchestra.
Since then the band has been gigging solidly and recording in the studio for a forthcoming album which should be launched sometime in 2006. Watch this space.
