After six years with Pipin' Hot, a group of leading Southland entertainers have gone out on their own and launched their debut CD.After six years with Pipin' Hot, a group of leading Southland entertainers have gone out on their own and launched their debut CD.Pipeworkz is the name adopted by the band whose members include popular Southland vocalists Shannon Cooper-Garland and Jason Schmidt; former Pipin' Hot musical directors Peter Skerrett and David Pickett; and other top musicians including Brad MacClure, Aaron Ives, Sonny Williams, Chrissie Jones, and accomplished bagpipers Greg Lindsay, Jim Gilmour, Maurice Lindsay and John Teviotdale.

From hyped-up traditional to piped-up pop and originals, Pipeworkz fuses a diverse range of musical styles and instruments - its inspiration drawn from a heritage rich in Scottish passion and Pacific pride.

Pipeworkz was born from a common desire to further explore and develop the unique presentation and sound of bagpipes and rock and the opportunity to record was irresistible.

On Monday December 16 2002 Pipeworkz released its debut CD, Rebel Piper. The track listings include two original tunes written by Brad MacClure - All That I Could Ask and Jellicoe Dusk. Other vocal tracks include Rhythm of My Heart, The Piper, You're The Voice, Leaving The Harbour and a modern slant on the traditional Scottish tune Loch Lomond. The compilation is rounded out with a selection of instrumentals from the haunting The Dark Island to the stirring and up-beat title track Rebel Piper.

CDs are on sale at a number of outlets around Southland and Otago at a recommended retail price of $24.95.

Southland's legendary catch-cry "Go Sting" has been captured in song by Southland band Pipeworkz.

"The Mighty Sting", written by Pipeworkz vocalist and guitarist Jason Schmidt, was performed live for the first time at the opening game of the Southern Sting's defence of the National Bank Cup at Stadium Southland on Saturday night (March 29).

The tune, which features the powerful and unique integration of bagpipes, rock and vocals for which the band is known, has also been recorded for radio play. When invited to perform at the opening game, the band decided an original and parochial tune was warranted that fans could sing along to in celebration of Southland's sporting sensation.

Schmidt said the phenomenal success of the Southern Sting had inspired a song with drive to match.

"When the song was about Sting, it wasn't hard to come up with something upbeat and racy."

That night also saw the unveiling of more new music by Pipeworkz, some of which reveals multi-cultural feel - combining Scottish passion and Pacific pride in a reflection of the band members' heritage.