Leather and Beer: Read our story
Annette Chapman - Lead Vocals
“I’ve been singing all my life and when I get on the stage with this band, I feel I’ve come home”
Born in Dalkieth, Scotland,
Annette started singing at around 5 years old and has never shut up since! She joined her first band at 16 years old. Watch With Mother was a seven piece band playing original material that enjoyed some local success with their single, Suzanne, reaching number 19 in the Scottish charts in the 80s.
Throughout the years, Annette has sung and played bass in many bands singing both lead and backing vocals as well as studio work. She is a qualified singing teacher and took several years out recently to study classical singing, graduating in 2005 with a bachelor of music honours degree. She returned to the music she most loves in 2006 when she joined Leather and Beer. She co writes many of the songs with guitarist, Callum.
Musical Influences—Blondie, The Stranglers, The Clash, The Beatles, The Beach Boys
Favourite Singers—Annie Lennox, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Tina Turner, Etta James, Robert Palmer,
Maria Callas, Renee Fleming
Callum Chapman - Guitar
“We haven't got a plan so nothing can go wrong!”
Born in Pumpherston, West Lothian, Callum started playing guitar at the age of 16. Like many musicians, he paid his dues by playing in dozens of cover bands playing the clubs and bars around the UK.
The original band, Route 66, played on the same billas the likes of Phil Lynott while they were also working to build a reputation. One–off performances with the likes of Jack Bruce helped him learn the skill of playing live under pressure. Meanwhile Callum was building up a bank of original songs and musical material. Forming a writing partnership with vocalist, Annette has led to some Interesting takes on the blues and rock sound.
Playing in Leather and Beer has provided an outlet for his writing in the Blues/Rock genre as well as his
passion for playing live.
Musical Influences –Mick Green, Wilko Johnston, Rory Gallagher, Duncan Mulholland
Favourite Guitarist—Rory Gallagher
Gordon Irvine - Multi instrumentalist
“I owe it all to psychedelics and a healthy diet plus
lashings of “Deep Heat” and Paracetamol for the sciatica”
Gordon describes himself as an old and in the way baby boomer who can’t stop playing.
Always played something for as long as he can remember, and that’s a long time. Started off with the rattle and went on to shake and roll from there. He’s played rock, reggae, blues, folk - traditional and original stuff. Plays guitar, mandolin, baglama, cittern, some banjo, keyboards, accordion, harmonium, harmonica, whistle – anything he can get his hands on – with varying degrees of success.
Played in a few bands over the years – some electric / acoustic outfits doing his own material, some traditional folk bands. One of the original members of
Seannachie , a well known Edinburgh folk band in the 80’s & 90’s.
Musical Influences: From the Beatles, Byrds, Beefheart to all points in every direction blues, rock, folk, jazz and classical.
Favourite musicians : Jimi Hendrix ,Davey Graham, Ry Cooder,
Jan Garbarek, Tony McManus to name a few.
Duncan Mulholland - Bass Guitar
“If Leather and Beer were a brothel, our audience would be Skint, Knackered but ultimately very happy!”
Duncan was born in Pumpherston and grew up next door to Callum. He has been playing
bass guitar since Callum told him to. They formed their first band called Jock Strap and the Two Swingers (a name chosen by Duncan’s dad). Duncan has played in all types of bands from Punk to Soul and Blues. He also played tenor drum in a pipe band for years. Because they have been playing
together for so long, Callum and Duncan have a great connection on stage, leading to some great improvisation.
As part of the rhythm section, Duncan is invaluable and, his ability to connect with the guitarist is a great boon.
Musical Influences—Ian Dury and the Blockheads,
The Pirates, Bootsy Collins, The Who, The Beatles, Dr Feelgood
Favourite Bass Player—John Entwhistle