Local band tuning up to entertain thirsty punters at Paisley Beer Festival

Apr 9 2011 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

A FUN-LOVING band of musicians are tuning up to entertain thirsty punters at this year’s Paisley Beer Festival.

Running from Wednesday, April 27, until Saturday, April 30, the festival attracts thousands of beer fans to Paisley Town Hall.

And, on the Friday night, The Skunnered will be performing to keep the crowds entertained.

The four-piece folk/country band told the Paisley Daily Express they’re looking forward to the gig.

Elderslie man Andy Lindsay, who is a percussionist with the band, joked: “We’ll be doing our very best to stay sober during our performance but I’m sure we’ll be catching up on the ales as soon as we finish.”

Bass player Chas Cunningham lives in Neilston, as does lead guitarist Paul Shepherd, while singer Andrew McMillan is from Barrhead.

The band has just released a CD album of their own original songs, called Good Morning Glasgow Town.

Many of their tunes have been played on Barrhead-based radio station Pulse FM, as well as Celtic Music Radio.

The Skunnered also know traditional favourites and plan to play a mix of both at the festival in Paisley Town Hall.

The event is Scotland’s biggest real ale festival and is organised and run by around 60 volunteers from the Renfrewshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

This year, the festival will feature around 170 draught beers from across the UK, including Barrhead’s Kelburn Brewery and Houston Brewery.

Organisers are hoping the fact that Friday, April 29, has been declared a bank holiday to celebrate the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton will encourage even more people to come along.

Entry will cost £5, with a £3 concession charge available on the Wednesday and Thursday. The price includes a souvenir festival glass and programme.

Drinkers can bring their glass back for free re-entry to the festival on subsequent days.

As always, the organisers desperately need more volunteers to help the festival run smoothly, from set-up on Monday, April 25, right through to the big clear-up on Sunday, May 1, and anyone who would like to help is asked to send an e-mail to karenmoore1979@gmail.com

Volunteers must be CAMRA members but it’s easy to sign up ahead of the festival.

Find out more about The Skunnered at www. reverb nation.com/theskunnered