KENNY ‘THE DUKE’ MITCHELL (VOCALS)
Kenny is a founding member of The Termites, alongside Bally and Ewin. He has also played in rock n roll, street punk bands Ninebar (with Bally) & Hateville Heroes.
He is also a well respected tattooer. Having worked around the world, he returned to Scotland and opened his own shop Land Ahoy Tattoos. You can see his tattoo work on Instagram - @leon___brodie and @landahoytattoos.
Returning from USA he re-ignited The Termites the band and recorded “kicked in the teeth”. When not on band duties he customises motorcycles and likes to Go off grid in his camper van.
SCOTT ‘BALLY’ BALLANYNE (GUITAR)
Scott ‘Bally’ Ballantyne grew up in New Farm Loch, Kilmarnock - 5 houses away from Ewin, 7 from Johnny and round the corner from Kenny. Johnny recalls one of his earlies memories was Bally giving him a present of a knife when he was 3 years old.
A founding member and major songwriter for The Termites, he was only 13 years old when the band played their first ever gig - Burnpark Hotel, Kilmarnock, as a support act to psychobilly legends The Longhorns. All hell broke loose that night and the rest is history…
EWIN MURRAY (DRUMS)
Ewin Murray was a founding member of The Termites, forming the band in 1983 alongside Bally and Kenny. His energy and musicianship helped define the group’s early sound, but in 1991, Ewin moved on to explore new creative paths.
He joined the indie band Bagsy, contributing to their distinctive style and playing on the acclaimed album, People Like Different Things. Many bands later, Ewin returned to his roots when The Termites reformed, playing a key role in the release of Kicked in the Teeth.
Since 2010, Ewin has been bringing his guitar talents to the The Borland Ceilidh Band, blending traditional dance music with his signature flair. Beyond performing, Ewin writes and produces music from his own studio, crafting projects across a range of genres.
He is also the joint owner with John, of 13 Deluxe Records, a label dedicated to all things alternative, championing unique sounds and independent artistry.
DOUGIE RITCHIE (BASS)
Bassist Dougie Ritchie is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist known for his work with Ayrshire skabilly cowpunks – The Three ‘N’ Eights as well as his guitar playing with gothabilly-punk outfit In The Plughole – Kilmarnock contemporaries of the Termites.
The Three ‘N’ Eights released a well-received album Leopard Print Hearts – available on limited edition yellow and black vinyl. A review of the album can be found at the The Ginger Quiff website.
Dougie and the Termites first crossed paths many years ago with Dougie being a familiar face at early gigs. The association with the Termites continued with Kenny adding to Dougie’s tattoos for more years than either of them want to think about. And of course, Dougie has played double bass with the Crochallan Fencibles alongside Termites Ewin and Johnny.
Well known in the Scottish Psychobilly scene, Dougie has shared the bill with loads of bands including numerous outings with King Kurt as well as The Meteors, The Klingonz, Thee Scarecrows and Restless to name just a few.
Dougie has also been involved in gig promotion over the years, currently doing this as part of the Shrunken Head Promotions crew.
JOHNNY FIDDLES (FIDDLE)
Termites fiddler Johnny Fiddles is also a well known traditional fiddle player by the name of John C Grant and a founder member of Scottish band The Borland Ceilidh Band.
Johnny is one of Ayrshire’s most accomplished composers of Scottish traditional music - dedicating his entire adult life to a personal journey, capturing contemporary life within Ayrshire, Scotland, through the medium of traditional music… well… when he’s not in the Termites that is!
John C Grant has published several books on music and composition. These can be found within his own website. Every Termite appears in traditional music such as Kenny Mitchell, Scott Ballantyne, Ewin Murray, Dougie Ritchie, and Gerry Doyle.
John has played with numerous bands throughout the years over a range of musical styles from punk to country, such as Stewart Bryden - ‘Silent Revolutions’, The Stumblers - ‘Remarkably Simple for Complex Individuals’, Roscoe Vacant and the Screichs - ‘The Wrong Shall Fail’, The Heeby Jeebys - ‘Seagull Sessions’, San Jose - ‘Dirty Linen’, Sweetwater Band - ‘No Country for Old Men’ and many more.
Together with Ewin, Johnny is a founder of alternative record label 13 Deluxe Records.
johncgrant.com