"Needfire perfects the art of the rock ’n’ roll bagpipe..." - Salina Journal (Salina, Kansas)
Blending edgy rock guitars, weaving bass, and pounding drums with soaring bagpipes, reeling Celtic fiddles, & tribal didgeridoo, plus add the buoyant melodicism of the best rock radio of the ages, and you will discover Texas-based Needfire. This nationally-touring band takes traditional Celtic melodies into a modern rock context with original lyrics and hard-hitting performances. Electric, acoustic, traditional, original - Needfire combines multiple strands of music into a uniquely refreshing sound- a blend of all-original modern-roots-rock and traditional Celtic music.
Formed in 2005, Needfire has quickly progressed from regional to a nationally-headlining artist at some of the largest arts/music and Celtic festivals coast to coast. After a well-received appearance at the 2006 Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina, Kansas, the group was brought back a few months later for a special encore performance at the much respected Stiefel Theatre- a venue known for booking legendary acts such as BB King, George Thorogood, Jim Belushi, among others. Needfire also performs at all-ages city sponsored summer concert series and multi-cultural events at colleges. The increasing interest in Needfire grew tremendously in 2007 with a tour schedule that included headlining performances at festivals in Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arizona, and Oregon.
The members of Needfire are accomplished performers with unique backgrounds. The band's primary songwriter, John Cleghorn (vocals, guitar, harmonica), has a background in Texas blues rock and has won songwriting awards, showcased for major labels, and released a solo album on J-Bird Records. Dylan Cleghorn (fiddle, piano, didgeridoo) follows in his father's footsteps as a talented songwriter. Only 19, he's already composing fiddle tunes that sound like the jigs and reels of traditions past. Richard Kean (bagpipes, whistle) is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland and makes and plays his own bagpipes. He also plays bagpipes from Brittany, Galicia, Bulgaria, and Tunisia. Matt Henthorn (drums, percussion) also has a background in Texas blues rock, and has years of overseas touring experience. Ed Walewski (bass, dulcimer, mandolin) is originally a mandolinist and has had music appear in independent movies and tv shows, and submitted for Grammy Award nomination.
The varied backgrounds of the five-piece Needfire have come together to produce three albums to date. Songs from every album have received airplay on FM radio stations and internet podcasts in multiple states and Europe. In 2006 the official podcast for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland (one of the largest festivals in the world) chose "Gravel Walks" from the debut "EP" as their official theme song. Other songs frequently get featured on Celtic music radio programs and podcasts. The band has also been invited to participate in live radio interviews and TV appearances.
Needfire's high energy shows and original sound are well received by music fans of all ages and tastes. After just a couple of high-energy years of touring festivals, colleges, and music venues across the U.S., Needfire is postured for mega success. A bracing and refreshing alternative to alternative rock, Needfire invigorates vintage Irish and Scottish music with a rock & roll heart.
“Needfire is fast becoming a band you're going to hear about internationally." - Doyle Jeter, Director of the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival
"...nothing short of fantastic at our festival this year...BOOK THIS BAND." - Celtic Society of West Tennessee
"...one of the major draws for this year's Scottish festival." - Appleseeds, Lyon College ( Batesville, Arkansas)
““For those who think Flogging Molly characterizes Celtic Rock, think again. Needfire grooves just as hard, but doesn't partake in the smashing drums and screaming punk lyrics" - UTA Shorthorn
“A band out of Texas that kicks some serious ass!" - Celtic Music News
“Needfire is one of the best in the nation." - Corpus Christi Caller-Times
