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Loyalist bands

Loyalist band websites and the associated guestbooks, discussion forums and even online radio stations, make up the most intensely active corner of loyalist and unionist webspace. The bands regularly parade and play and membership is often dominated by the young. Band members have lots to discuss and organise during the marching season and many are clearly enthusiastic about the new information and communication technologies. The net provides a new means for distributing recordings of their music. The use of text-messaging abbreviations in band guestbooks and online forums illustrates the continuities and crossovers between mobile-phone use and internet use. The intensity and frequency of discussion on several of the guestbooks suggests that these websites have become an important focus for a significant proportion of band members. The role of the online radio station Loyalist FM, in organising events, sponsoring bands and hosting band websites in 2004 and 2005 provides evidence that online activity has become woven in with the loyalist band scene as a sigificant new form of alternative media.


Political content on band websites varies widely in scale and tone. Significant numbers of those bands that take part in marches and parades completely avoid any political content on their websites, which are dominated by material on the music and on competitions. They don't even make reference to recent disputes on loyalist parades. These sites are not included below. This list includes sites with any contemporary political content whatsoever, whether that be a logo in support of Orange marches at Drumcree, or hyperlinks to loyalist or unionist websites. Some of the sites listed below have extensive political content and their associated guestbooks are heavily used for political argument. The Kilcluney Volunteers Flute Band site, for example, has long been a focus for opposition to restrictions on loyalist parades while Monkstown YCV Flute Band provides candid illustration of the relationship between paramilitary organisations and some in the loyalist band scene in a series of photographs with titles such as 'Firing party at Monkstown Y.C.V band parade 2002'.

By March 2005 almost a quarter of the sites listed below were defunct.

Contents


Northern Ireland

Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 18/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/alsow/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.freewebs.com/alsow/

Albertbridge Accordion band, E. Belfast.
Defunct by 23/7/04.

http://www.albertbridge.net/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.albertbridge.net/

ATB -- Armagh True Blues.
Viewed: 23/7/04;* 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/bigandyc
Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster FB, Ballymena.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/keel/
Ballymoughan Purple Guards, FB, Magherafelt.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.purpleisbetter.co.uk/
Ballynafeigh Apprentice Boys FB, S. Belfast.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.babfb.co.uk/index.htm
Ballynahinch Protestant Boys FB, Co. Down.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05. Defunct by 21/9/05.
http://bpbfb.tripod.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://bpbfb.tripod.com/

Ballyquin Loyal Sons of Ulster FB, Limavady.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/ballyquinfb/homepage.htm
Viewed: 21/9/05.
http://www.geocities.com/ballyquinfb/Homepage.htm

Ballysillan Volunteers FB, N. Belfast (disbanded in 2004).
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/bvfb
Bleary Crimson Star LOL 12, Lurgan.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://blearycrimsonstarlol12.s5.com/bcs.htm

Boveedy FB, Kilrea, Co. Londonderry.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.chaosnetwork.co.uk/bfb/welcome.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.chaosnetwork.co.uk/bfb/welcome.htm

Castlederg Young Loyalists FB, Co. Tyrone.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05. Defunct by 21/9/05.
http://www.cylfb.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.cylfb.com/
Cloughfern Young Conquerors FB, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.c-y-c.com/
Craigavon Protestant Boys FB, Lurgan.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.the-craigs.co.uk/
Crossgar Young Defenders FB, Co. Down.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://cydfb.tripod.com/
Crown Defenders F.B Old Mossley.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.cdfbm.50megs.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.cdfbm.50megs.com
Derrylee FB, Co. Armagh.
Viewed: 2002/03; 26/7/04;* 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.derrylee.50megs.com
http://www.derrylee.co.uk
Dunamoney Loyalist FB, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.dfb.bravepages.com/

Dollingstown FB.
Since June 2004.
http://www.freewebs.com/dollingstownfluteband
Viewed: 27/7/04.
http://www.dollingstownfb.co.uk/
Viewed 16/3/05 (site returned to the original URL).
http://www.freewebs.com/dollingstownfluteband

Donaghadee Fusiliers FB, Co. Down.
Viewed: 27/7/04.
http://www.donaghadeefusiliers.com/
Viewed: 16/3/05. Defunct by 21/9/05.
http://www.loyalandtrue.net/fusiliers
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.loyalandtrue.net/fusiliers
Down Protestant Boys Volunteer FB.
Viewed: 26/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/downprotestantboysvolunteerflute
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.freewebs.com/downprotestantboysvolunteerflute
Drumderg Loyalists FB, Keady, Co. Armagh.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.drumderg.co.uk/
Duke of Schomberg Fife & Drum, Kilkeel, Co. Down.
Defunct by 27/7/04.
http://www.geocities.com/duke_of_schomberg/ http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.geocities.com/duke_of_schomberg/
East Belfast Protestant Boys PBFB.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/ebpb/
Freeman Memorial FB, Windyhall, Coleraine.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/fmfb/
Gertrude Star FB, E. Belfast.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.geocities.com/gertrudestarfb/
The Giants Causeway Protestant Boys FB, Bushmills, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.geocities.com/cpb_fb/
Glengormley Protestant Boys Flute Band.
Viewed: 19/12/01.* Defunct by 26/7/04.
http://www.gpbfb.co.uk
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gpbfb.co.uk
Goldsprings True Defenders FB, Comber, Co. Down.
Defunct by 27/7/04.
http://www.gtdfb.homestead.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gtdfb.homestead.com/
Hillview Flute Band, Shankill rd.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/hillviewfb/
Johnston Memorial FB, Conlig, Co. Down.
Defunct by 27/7/04.
http://www.jmfb.co.uk/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.jmfb.co.uk/

Kellswater FB, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.kellswaterfluteband.com/

Kilcluney Volunteers FB.
Viewed: 2002/03;* 23/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.kvfb.co.uk
King Williams True Blues FB.
Viewed: 23/7/04;* 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/kwtbfb
Lambeg Orange and Blue FB.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.lobfb.freeservers.com/
Listooder True Blues FB, Co. Down.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/listoodertrueblues/
Loyal and True.
Viewed: 23/7/04; 16/3/05. Defunct by 21/9/05.
http://www.loyalandtrue.net/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.loyalandtrue.net
The Loyalist Scene.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.theloyalistscene.8m.com/index.html
Maghera Sons of William FB, Co. Londonderry.
Since 2000. Viewed: 26/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/05.
http://www.msow.co.uk/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.msow.co.uk/
Maj. FH Crawford Memorial FB, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05. Blank when viewed on 21/9/05.
http://www.mfhcmfb.co.uk/
Miller Memorial FB, Belfast.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.mmfb.co.uk/
Moneydig New Conquerers FB.
Viewed: 2002/03;* 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.geocities.com/garvaghmyc
Monkstown YCV FB.
Viewed: 23/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.monkstownycv.co.uk
Mourne Young Defenders FB, Kilkeel, Co. Down.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.myd.4mg.com/
Movenis Rising Sons of William FB, Garvagh, Co. Londonderry.
Created; May 2004. Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.geocities.com/movenisfb/
New Mossley Volunteers FB Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.nmvfb.50megs.com/
Newtownabbey Fusiliers FB, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/nffb/
Omagh True Blues FB, Co. Tyrone.
Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/05.
http://www.geocities.com/otbfb/
Not available in the Internet Archive as of 21/9/05.
Pomeroy True Blues Flute Band.
Viewed: 03/04;* 23/7/04. Defunct by 18/3/05.
http://www.ptbfb.50megs.com
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.ptbfb.50megs.com
Pride of Ballinran FB, Kilkeel, Co. Down.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.geocities.com/prideofballinran/
Pride of Knockmore, Lisburn.
Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/05.
http://www.pokfb.co.uk/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.pokfb.co.uk/
Pride Of Lagan Valley FB, S. Belfast.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/laganvalley/
Pride of the Hill FB, Carnmoney, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.pothfb.ndo.co.uk/
Pride of the Hill FB, Rathfriland, Co. Down.
Since March 2000.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.poth.co.uk/
Pride of the Park FB, Armoy, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 28/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.potpfb.co.uk/
Pride of Whiteabbey FB, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 26/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/05.
http://www.whiteabbeyprotestantboys.cjb.net/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.whiteabbeyprotestantboys.cjb.net
Rathfriland Sons Of William FB.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.sonsofwilliam.com/
Red Hand Hosting: from Loyalist FM.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.redhandhosting.co.uk/index1.php
Rising Sons of the Somme F.B Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.nireland.com/petemc/
Robert Graham Memorial FB, Crawfordsburn, Co. Down.
Since 1/03. Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.rgmfb.co.uk/
Shankill Road Defenders FB, Belfast.
Viewed: 23/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/shankillroaddefenders
Silver Plains Moyarget FB, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 28/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/spmfb/
Sir George White Memorial FB, Broughshane, Co. Antrim.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.sgwmfb.freeserve.co.uk/
Sons Of Ulster FB, Shankill Road.
Viewed: 23/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/soufbshankill
South Belfast Young Conquerors FB, Donegall Pass.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05. Defunct by 21/9/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/southbelfastyoungconquerors/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.freewebs.com/southbelfastyoungconquerors/
South Down Defenders FB, Newry.
Viewed: 19/12/01; 2002/03;* 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.southdowndefenders.com
South Down DUP FB.
Viewed: 23/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.southdowndupfb.co.uk
South Fermanagh Loyalist FB.
Viewed: 28/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.geocities.com/sflfb1983/sfl2003

Ulster Loyalist Records.
Viewed: 2002/03.* Defunct by 3/03.
http://www.ulsterloyalistrecords.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.ulsterloyalistrecords.com/

Ulster Bands Association.
Viewed: 03/04.* Defunct by 23/7/04.
http://www.ulsterbandsassociation.com
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.ulsterbandsassociation.com

Ulster Bands Forum (discussion forum).
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.ulsterbandsforum.co.uk/
Ulster Defence Flute, Lisburn.
Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www.lisburnudf.fsnet.co.uk/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.lisburnudf.fsnet.co.uk
Ulster Protestant Boys FB, Coleraine.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05. Defunct by 21/9/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/upbcoleraine/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.freewebs.com/upbcoleraine/
Upper Falls Protestant Boys FB, Suffolk, Belfast.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.ufpb.shorturl.com/

UVF Regimental FB, E. Belfast.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/UNCLE_ANDY_IN_DA_HOUSE/INDEX.html

Whiterock FB, Belfast
Since 4/04. Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www.freewebs.com/whiterockbelfast/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.freewebs.com/whiterockbelfast
Whitewell Defenders FB, N. Belfast.
Viewed:19/12/01.*
http://www.geocities.com/gerslad2001/wdfb.html
Not available in the Internet Archive.
Viewed: 2002/03; 16/3/05.
http://whitewellfb.cjb.net/

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Scotland

Airdrie Argyle Accordion Band / Argyle Loyalists.
Viewed: 2002/03;* 24/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/airdrieargyle3/

Baillieston Protestant Boys FB, Scotland.
Viewed: 28/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.bpbfb.co.uk/
Black Skull Corps of Fife & Drum, Glasgow.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.black-skull.com/

Cambuslang Brittania FB, Scotland.
Viewed: 2002/03;* 23/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.cambuslangbritanniafb.homestead.com

County Flute band, Motherwell, Scotland.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.countyfluteband.co.uk/
East of Scotland FB Association.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.esfba.freeservers.com/

The Flute Band News
Viewed: 2002/03;* 16/3/05.
http://www.theflutebandnews.coms.ph

The Flute Band News, Sandyhills FB, Glasgow.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05..
http://www.freewebs.com/flutebandnews
The Greengairs Thistle FB.
Viewed: 26/2/03;* 26/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www.greengairsthistle.com/GTFB.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.greengairsthistle.com/GTFB.htm
Greenock Young Defenders FB, Scotland.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.gydfb.cjb.net/

Imperial Blues Flute Band, Paisley.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://imperial.blues.users.btopenworld.com/

Lesmahagow Loyalists FB, Scotland.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/barry.smith8/new%20band%20site/
Lily of the Valley FB, Coatbridge, Scotland.
Viewed: 2002/03;* 26/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www.lilyfluteband.co.uk
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.lilyfluteband.co.uk
Newmains Loyalist FB, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://newmainsloyalistsfb.homestead.com/homepage.html

Pride of Clarkston FB, Airdrie, Scotland.
Viewed: 19/12/01;* 16/3/05.
http://www.angelfire.com/band/prideofclarkston
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.prideofclarkston.co.uk/

Pride of Motherwell FB, Scotland.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.pomfb.2ya.com
Pride of the North FB, Glasgow.
Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www.potnfb.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.potnfb.com/
Prince William's Young Defenders FB, Scotland.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.princewilliamsyoungdefenders.co.uk/

Sandy Road FB, Renfrew, Scotland.
Viewed: 2002/03; 26/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www.sandyroadfb.homestead.com
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.sandyroadfb.homestead.com

Sons Of Ulster FB, Glasgow.
Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.noelkinnersoufb.co.uk/
Stevie McCrea Memorial FB, Dundee, Scotland.
Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www32.brinkster.com/dundeeflute/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www32.brinkster.com/dundeeflute/
Townhead Young Defenders Loyalist FB.
Viewed: 2002/03;* 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.townheadyoungdefenders.homestead.com

West End Loyalists FB, Glasgow.
Defunct by 3/03.
http://www.westendloyalistsfb.homestead.com
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.westendloyalistsfb.homestead.com

Whitburn FB, West Lothian, Scotland.
Viewed: 27/7/04. Defunct by 16/3/04.
http://www.whitburnfluteband.freeservers.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.whitburnfluteband.freeservers.com/
Wrangholm Defenders FB.
Viewed: 23/7/04;* 16/3/05.
http://www.geocities.com/wrangholmdefenders

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England

Colonel Saunderson Memorial Band, Liverpool.
Viewed: 4/11/05.
http://csmb.8m.com/

Corby Loyalist FB, England.
Since 2001. Viewed: 26/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.corbyloyalist.da.ru/
Highlander FB, Bootle, Liverpool.
Viewed: 27/7/04.
http://www.highlanderfb.com/

Liverpool Volunteers FB.
Viewed: 27/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.liverpoolvolunteers.co.uk/

London Protestant Boys FB.
Viewed: 2002/03. * Defunct by 26/7/04.
http://lpb.homepagehere.com
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://lpb.homepagehere.com
Tyneside True Defenders FB, England.
Viewed: 23/7/04; 16/3/05.
http://www.freewebs.com/fife/

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Online radio stations

Loyalist FM - Your Online Loyalist Community.
Viewed: 23/7/04;* 16/3/05; 4/11/05.
http://www.loyalistfm.net

Calton Radio
Viewed: 16/3/05.
http://www.caltonradio.com/

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Document information
Author: Niall O Dochartaigh
First produced: August 2004
Updated: 18/3/05; 4/11/05.