CATHERINE JUN Richard, lead singer of
the band Stirling Brig, jams at the Whiskey A Go Go Feb. 15.
By Tamar Boyadijan
Daily Bruin Contributor
While jamming on his guitar, singer Richard had an epiphany and
lyrics began to spew from his head. However, there was nothing
around but a box of matches.
He could only fit two verses on that box, but that hasn’t
stopped his rock band Stirling Brig from creating its own fan base
and popularity in the Los Angeles music scene.
Stirling Brig performed Thursday at the Whisky A Go Go on Sunset
Boulevard as part of a concert sponsored by the classic rock radio
station KLOS and the Web site unsignedonsunset.com.
Only three years old, Stirling Brig has just been named one of
the top 100 unsigned bands of 2001 by the magazine Music
Connection. Stirling Brig views its music as something positive,
which it seeks to extend to the crowds that come watch it
perform.
“If we can touch you somehow during our show, or remind
you of good moments, or make you want to dance, then we are doing
our job,” said Stirling Brig vocalist and lead guitarist
Richard in an interview before the show.
The band even opened its set Thursday evening by asking the
audience if they were all happy.
“We’re just out here playing music and having
fun,” Richard said.
Stirling Brig’s positive energy has definitely brought it
positive tidings. The band was recently honored at the L.A. Music
Awards for “Independent Rock Album of the Year” for its
new album “This Way Out,” on Withani Records.
Stirling Brig describes its music as “Neo-Psychedelic
Hypnogrooverock,” incorporating a variety of styles, ranging
from rock to jazz, and even sometimes mellowing down its raucous
music in some of its ballads.
“Our arrangements are not about ramming chords. The two
guitars are always playing something different,” said
guitarist Steven (Weavin’) Lux. “Our music creates a
three-dimensional effect, where everybody is playing at a different
place.”
Stirling Brig’s 12 track album includes its crowd-favorite
signature songs “Up On Emotion,” “Never Gonna
Take It Away” and “She’s An Angel.”
These songs will also be appearing in the feature film
“Crazy,” coming to theaters later this year.
“Crazy” tells the story of a country singer who must
overcome a tragic injury. The band also arranged and recorded three
other songs for the film that do not appear on its current
album.
Despite the success of its record, the band believes that its
music can truly be captured through the high level of energy in its
performances.
“We definitely consider ourselves a live band,”
Richard said. “The album that we did is an indication of
where we were a year ago and what we call
life-o-graphs”“photographs of music. Six months or a year down
the road we can play the same songs, but the songs evolve and we
evolve with them.”
Stirling Brig is named after the 1297 battle where the Scots
triumphed over the British, according to the band.
Stirling Brig’s music, like its name, is based on its
Scottish roots and has an abundance of Celtic rock that is
incorporated into its songs. Richard even sometimes wears a
Scottish kilt in shows, tying the band to its cultural
background.
One of the band’s favorite songs to play is its
“Celtic Song,” but the band has a hard time deciding
which other songs to play at shows and even which songs to put on
its albums.
The five members of Stirling Brig, Richard on vocals and lead
guitar, Steve (Weavin’) Lux on rhythm guitar, Bryan Head on
drums, Jeffry on bass and Andrew on keyboard, see their music as a
positive element in a society that is driven by negative news,
images and angry music.
“We are all going to promote positive things, create
positive emotions and put positive music out there because people
will like it and, from our experience, people do like it,”
 Richard said.
Stirling Brig hopes to relay its positive musical energy not
only in L.A., but on its tour to various cities around the
world.
MUSIC: Stirling Brig’s latest album
“This Way Out” as well as more information about the
band is available on its Web site www.stirlingbrig.com.