Big Country

Big Country is an internationally-renowned Scottish rock band whose height of popularity was in the 1980s, although it retained a cult following for many years after, including the release of several further titles. The band's music was most recognisable for the sounds it infused with Scottish folk and martial music styles.

Big Country comprised Stuart Adamson, Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki though a variety of other drummers had played in the band at various times throughout its existence.

Formed initially as a five-piece band in 1981, their first single was "Harvest Home", recorded and released in 1982. It was a modest success, reaching No. 91 on the UK Singles Chart. Their next single was 1983's "Fields of Fire", which reached the UK's Top Ten and was rapidly followed by the album The Crossing. The album was a hit in the United States with the single "In a Big Country" which was their only U.S. Top 40 hit single.

The band released the non-LP extended play single "Wonderland" in 1984 while undergoing a lengthy worldwide tour. The song was a Top Ten hit in the UK singles chart and reached No. 86 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the last single by the band to make a U.S. chart appearance.

Their second album, Steeltown, was released in 1984 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. The album featured three UK top 30 hit singles, and received considerable critical acclaim.

Throughout 1984 and 1985, the band toured the UK, Europe, and, to a lesser extent, the U.S., both as headliners themselves and in support of such artists as Queen and Roger Daltrey.

In 1986, the band's thrid album, The Seer, was release and was another big success in the UK, peaking at Number 2. It produced three further Top 30 singles, including the Irish number one hit "Look Away", which would also prove to be the band's biggest hit in the U.K., peaking at No. 7.

In 1988, Peace in Our Time wa released and reached No. 9 in the UK Album chart. 1991's No Place Like Home featured the band trying to reinvent themselves and shift away from their '80s image. It was not a commercial success and was not released in America.

In 1993, The Buffalo Skinners, received a major label release and reached the UK Top 25.

Throughout the 1990s, Big Country became a popular supporting act, supporting bands such as Rolling Stones and The Who. In 1995, they released another album, Why the Long Face? followed by Big Country's eighth and final studio album, Driving to Damascus.

In 2007, to celebrate 25 years of Big Country, founding members Bruce Watson, Tony Butler, and Mark Brzezicki reunited to embark on a tour of the UK with dates in Scotland and England and a gig in Cologne, Germany. They also released a new album, twenty five live, on the trackrecords label.

In September 2008 the band returned to an indefinite hiatus but toured again in late December 2010 and January 2011 with Mike Peters of the Alarm and Jamie Watson, Bruce's son, added to the lineup.

Around August 2011, Big Country released their first single in 11 years called "Another Country" with Peters on vocals.