Campbell Warnock’s musical journey has been anything but conventional, filled with unexpected twists and turns. It all began when he was gifted an old electric guitar with just four strings, paired with a vintage amp that, quite literally, gave off electric shocks. Despite the unorthodox start, Campbell quickly mastered four chords, which led him to form his first band with his friend Shando, who was already an accomplished musician. This early venture marked the beginning of his lifelong passion for music.
In his early 20s, Campbell’s musical path took another leap forward. He formed Sunflower Trip, initially covering quirky indie tunes before eventually transitioning into writing and performing original songs. Around this time, he was also invited to join a new band as their bassist—a role he’d never even attempted before, but one that would expand his musical horizons.
Campbell’s journey continued to zigzag as he joined the punk tribute band Straw Dogs and the energetic Last Year’s Men, diving further into the live music scene. His love for music promotion also emerged during this time, leading to his involvement in the creation of the Wickerman Festival—an event that would become a staple of Scotland’s festival scene. He also had the opportunity to work on major gigs, including performances at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock with iconic bands such as Stiff Little Fingers and The Damned. As a manager, Campbell worked with the local rockers The Cider Spiders, a group whose chaotic energy (and their crazy antics) left their mark on him—quite literally, with a few scars to prove it.
After taking a break from performing, Campbell’s music career took another turn with the indie rock covers band Random, alongside Munro and other musicians. This led to his role as bassist in Hammer and the Salt Water Kroks, before he was approached by The Stumblers, a ragtag group that would go on to achieve TV performances and play major venues like George Square in Glasgow.
When his time with The Stumblers came to an end, Campbell took a step back from the stage, focusing more on family life (and, as he jokes, annoying his wife and kids). However, the break didn’t last long—eventually, his wife had had enough and begged him to get back into a band. It was then that he rediscovered his love for open mic nights, playing songs he didn’t know and collaborating with musicians he had never met before.
Today, Campbell continues to play in various musical projects, participating in open mic nights and collaborating with a collective of seasoned musicians. Whether reliving the glory days or experimenting with new sounds, his passion for music remains as strong as ever.
A guide track for ‘Campbell Baird Brown Warnock’ is available below for listening: -
You can download a PDF of the sheet music here
- or braille format here.
The track is additionally available within the following collections and sets: -
Associated Collections: -
6/8
Ayrshire Characters
Jig
Musicians
Not Yet Recorded
The Three Six Five Collection
