Alex Neilson is an English drummer, percussionist and singer who is based in Glasgow but grew up in Leeds. He has performed alongside a large number of bands and artists including Lucky Luke, The One Ensemble Of Daniel Padden, Ashtray Navigations, Alastair Galbraith, Isobel Campbell, Bonnie Prince Billy, Ben Reynolds, Matt Valentine, David Keenan, Alasdair Roberts, Tanakh, Six Organs of Admittance and Taurpis Tula as well as Directing Hand and Scatter, both of which he founded. However, he is probably best known for his continuing collaborations with Richard Youngs and for his work with elusive American singer/songwriter Jandek, for whom he has drummed regularly - four of these live performances have been released by Corwood Industries as Glasgow Sunday, Newcastle Sunday, Glasgow Monday and Glasgow Friday on both CD and DVD. He also drummed for Will Oldham, firstly on a Scottish tour in April 2006 and then again for a US and Canadian tour later the same year.
In early 2007, Neilson left his position at Glasgow based record shop and distribution company Volcanic Tongue and rejoined Oldham for some tour dates and subsequently spent much of this year touring with Alasdair Roberts, with Ben Reynolds (as Motor Ghost), with David Keenan (as Tight Meat) and with a fresh incarnation of Directing Hand consisting of himself and vocalist/harpist Lavinia Blackwall.