Iain Grant

A biography of Iain Grant L/D
Occupation: Police Officer, Det Insp

Joined WMP: 1976, 1990 & 2001

Former Bands: None, lifelong West Midlands Police member

Other interesting things about Iain:
Iain joined as a juvenile under the tutorship of Alex Fraser. He was the leading tip in 1970's and 80's during a successful period for the Band, culminating in the All England Championship of 1977. Alex was an excellent tutor who taught his pupils on mastering the Basic rudiments of Drumming, something which has held Iain in very good stead ever since.

Iain took a break from the Band in 1982-1990, returning in 1990 to work with Geoff Mutch and Billy Dunlop, two excellent musicians who helped to further develop Iain's drumming career. He again took a break in1993 as his Police Career made additional demands on him, but returned in 2001 and has remained ever since.

From 2001-2003 he worked with Carl Williams, another excellent drummer, during a successful period for the Band. He brought together a strong Drum Corps who went on to win the European Drumming Prize at Belfast in 2002 (Grade 3B).

From 2003-2005 Iain worked with Simon Rogers, another excellent drummer, who helped lead the Band into Grade 2. The highlight of this period was the bands success at Cowal in 2003, winning the Grade 3A 1st prize.

Unfortunately, a loss of membership led to an unfortunate period of inactivity from 2005-2009, when the Band nearly went to the wall. Iain remained to work with Billy Dunlop and Ray Watters and during 2007 he was offered the opportunity of becoming leading tip, which he proudly accepted.

Questions and Answers:

• The most influential person on his/her Drumming career so far is: Alex Fraser
• His/her favourite type of tunes are: MSR's
• His/her favourite Pipe Bands are: Strathclyde Police of the 1980's and SFU
• His/her favourite Drummers/Drum Cores are: Alex Duthart and Jim Kilpatrick, but on a personal level, Alex Fraser, Billy Dunlop and Ray Watters, who as well as being good drummers, are really decent people
• His/her Drumming Ambition is: Is to build a strong Drum Corps to enhance an overall Band improvement
• His/her favourite sports team is: Aston Villa and Warwickshire County Cricket Club