Alternative Ulster

Founded in March 2015, Alternative Ulster hails from NY State's Catskill's region. After the release of their debut album, Rebellion, the band went through personnel changes leading to the current line-up of John McGovern on bagpipes, guitar, bass and backing vocals and Todd Henry on vocals and drums. In the recording studio, the real guitar hero is Jay Anderson, who handles all recording and mixing.

Back in 2015, John described the band's sound as 1916 meets 1977, referencing both the Irish Uprising and the heyday of Old School Punk Rock. Influential Celtic Punk podcast, Shite&Onions, described the band's style as "snot, spit and safety-pins punk rock of the 1982 variety being held ransom by a manic, whiskey swigging highland piper."

20 new songs have been written and demoed and are awaiting Jay's studio magic at Operation-Audio in Saugerties, NY.

Inspired by the likes of Dropkick Murphys, Black Tartan Clan, The Real McKenzies and Flatfoot 56, John took up the bagpipes in 2010. In addition to Alternative Ulster, John is a piper for the Hudson Valley Regional Police Pipes and Drums as well as the Ulster County Sheriff's Honor Guard. Todd is the drum instructor for HVRPPD.

Slainte!