(band history)

 

Originally formed from the remnants of  "Vortex 4" a punk band and an alternative rock band "Abandon Your Head".

 

Frank and  Stevie, having formed  the band "Paradise So Far"  met  Bob, a sax player with the then recently defunct band  "Abandon Your Head"......... while "oot buskin" in Glasgow and invited him to "spark up"  (sit in for a few numbers).

With band roots reaching back to the 1960's, what was eventually to become the Raggle Taggle Gypsies then evolved through various pop/ folk/ rock  accoustic busking formats.

 

The Flying Headband... Mr Rhythm...Children of the Universe being some of the bands formed along the way.

 

Frank & Stevie moved from punk to more of a melodic pop/rock sound with their band "Paradise So Far"  taking influences from bands such as U2, Simple Minds, and David Bowie while still retaining a  inate connection with their roots, music being so much a part of the Glasgow way of life.

Growing up and listening to the likes of Matt McGinn, Hamish Imlach & Eric Bogle, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, plus all that great Irish & Scottish  music from bands like The Dubliners, Planxty , The Pogues and The Waterboys, has been a great musical heritage for the boys.

 

The Raggle Taggles gradually replaced busking the streets of Glasgow during the 1980's, with gigs in many & varied hostelries throughout  Scotland, including festival gigs, weddings and charity events.

 

After venturing to the continent several times in the early 90's, touring across Holland, Germany, Poland and a 30 date whistle stop tour of Sweden, the Raggle Taggle Gypsies were invited to appear at the Arran Folk Festival in 1994.

 

During this time the band enjoyed a period of some success and recognition with various press articles and features covering the bands activities.

This wave of publicity was generated not least as a result of the attentions of  Danny Kyle, Glasgow's "Godfather of Folk" (now sadly deceased) who showed a great interest in the the band and was influential in the Raggles securing a respected reputation within the Scottish folk scene.