The Seventeenth Century

The Seventeenth Century are a young 5 piece contemporary folk/rock band formed in
Glasgow at the start of 2008 when they were studying music at Reid Kerr College and Glasgow University.
Ages ranging from 18 to 22, the band members are:-

Mark Farmer, (Lead Vocals, Violin),
Nicky Grant (Bass, Vocals, Glockenspiel),
Ryan Burns (Acoustic Guitar, Vocals),
Andrew Truscott (Drums, Percussion),
Michael Truscott (Cornet, Melodica, Vocals).

The band draws influences from Folk and Baroque music as well as kraut rock and proto punk and presents these genres in a contemporary setting. The works of J.S. Bach , Vivaldi and Handel as well
as artists such as The Beach Boys, The Dirty Three and The Velvet Underground were interests the members had in common and influences their sound. Vocal harmonies and intertwining melodies are components the band has had in its music from an early stage as well as a desire to experiment with instrumentation and sound whilst remaining accessible to listeners.

They have appeared at many venues around Glasgow (King Tuts, Oran Mor), creating a buzz. They played Wickerman Festival on 24 July 2009. There have been support slots with local and international bands such as The Second Hand Marching Band , The Broken Family Band, Rob St John, Teitur, Brother Louis Collective and Tom Brosseau as well as a UK tour with Trashcan Sinatras.

The Seventeenth Century were described in The Daily Record as a “Hebridean take
on The Beach Boys” and in The Scotsman as “...a band that writes illustrious
music whilst their admirable naivety shines through.” Being named as one of the
best unsigned bands in Scotland, winning the March 2009 edition of the DF
Concerts’ Your Sound project and representing the country in the June segment of
The Music Alliance Pact (an online promotion that showcases bands from countries
around the world.) are just some of the accolades achieved thus far.

A pre release of the TS Elliot influenced “Roses in the Park” was The Skinny
Magazine’s single of the week in September 2009 “…...orchestral indie
rock…a swelling, gorgeous composition…” The song achieved airplay from Vic
Galloway and Jim Gellatly. The band have also received national airplay through BBC Radio by DJs Steve Lemaq, Gideon Cole and Tom Robinson and performed live in studio for BBC Radio Nottingham.

Their unique use of instrumentation and harmonies as well as their impressive
live shows’ reputation make The Seventeeth Century stand out as an important
band in the already strong Scottish music scene. 2010 will see them recording and releasing their debut EP.