New Faces '75

Every now and again you come across a new band with that extra special ingredient. Such a band is Bilbo Baggins. When we met at the Pye Studios they were putting the finishing touches to their next single which is due for release at the end of September and is as yet untitled. The band consists of five Edinburgh boys - Jimmy Devlin, bass player and spokesman; Colin, vocals and keen tennis player; Fid on drums and group nut; Tosh, lead guitar and the strong silent member of the group, and finally Brian, piano, guitar and karate expert. The group has been together now for nearly three years and under the guidance of Tam Paton, has matured into a most professional working band, who to date this year, has found time to perform 150 gigs, make two records, lay down twelve album tracks and tour Cyprus. I asked Jimmy why they spent so much time on the road - 'We like to think of ourselves as entertainers, not just a band that makes records.' Who then I asked were their musical influences - and not surprisingly for a band that writes all their own material, their choices were varied - ranging from 10 C.C., Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Steve Wonder, Neil Sedaka, Alex Harvey and The Who.

At this point we broke off for a cheese bun and a cup of tea, courtesy of Pye Records, and Jimmy reflected on the early days of the band before they joined forced with Tam Paton. On one occasion they were so broke that after a gig Jimmy took a single room in a hotel and the rest of them sneaked in through the rear entrance and they all spent the night in one single bed (that's showbusiness!).

Things have obviously improved for Bilbo Baggins since those early days when if they were lucky after paying agents, managers etc. they were left with £10 a week, they are now next to the Rollers the biggest band in Scotland with an enormous following, they have recently completed a tour with the Rubettes whom they rate as one of the best bands in the country, along with the Wigan's Ovation whom they tip to be really big. How much of a problem has it been being managed by Tam Paton, bearing in mind his commitment to the Rollers - surely comparisons must be made. Not at all said Jimmy. Firstly the Rollers are a great band and deserve their success, secondly our music, while seeking to entertain the same audience, is totally different, as is our stage act, our sound is much more funky and I honestly believe will eventually appeal to a much wider audience. It is a fact that groups who write and perform their own material have much greater flexibility - you only have to look at the groups who have withstood the test of time like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who, The Stones, and Elton John. The reason for this is that a working band has the opportunity of trying out new sounds and anticipating audience re-action whereas song writers are more in touch with the charts and what is happening now rather than the constant changing mood of the public.

Seldom as I mentioned earlier do you meet a group that has that little extra something. In the case of Bilbo Baggins I think it can be defined as honest to goodness Talent. They believe in their music and in themselves. They have come a long way since they appeared at the Edinburgh Americana for £10, and I think they will reach the top and more importantly I think they will stay there. They have another tour lined up and four T.V. spots to promote their new record which I heard and think its great - so its up to you now - go out and buy it - you won't be disappointed!

By the way if you would like to drop the boys a line their address is P.O. Box 707, Edinburgh 4.

Page Last Updated: 4 March, 2010

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