EXILE ON BRUCE STREET

Exile On Bruce Street is a big rock and roll band aimed at non-professional musicians who have lost touch with their instruments.  It’s a radically accessible musical beast in which folks get together to play pretty high energy music together, meet new people, and generate joy. It’s for everyone who might have a dusty drum kit in the garage; an untuned Telecaster in the shed; a sad bass guitar, sitting lonely on the corner begging to be picked up again; a voice heard in the shower, but not in public for a while.   

The band comprises around 50 players, but its membership is gorgeously fluid and each iteration has new folks. Like any self respecting rock and roll band it has a big brass section.

 The band is led by participatory artist Ian Pidd (The Falls, Dark MOFO, The Big Lost Band, SWING, Wanderer Festival), with a team of very cheerful musician/teachers who can take the most unpractised musician and have them sounding like they belong in Amyl and the Sniffers in no time.  Repertoire is bangers from across the eras, and, on occasion, art rock, show tunes and straight up noise punk. The band is aimed at adults wanting to get back in touch with their creative selves, but young people and kids are very, very welcome. 

Exile On Bruce Street does two or three sessions a year - we meet for four weekend rehearsals and then a gig. Somewhere in public, always free.

The band is strictly IRL. It’s a word-of-mouth, graffiti and hand-made poster thing. Ask around and you will eventually find us…