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MacLaren Wall[Original Acoustic + Covers, Duo] Based: St Albans
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MacLaren Wall play melodic, acoustic pop-rock, from the likes of KT Tunstall, Madonna, Nerina Pallot, Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac, Christina Aguilera, Kate Bush, Norah Jones, Aimee Mann and Carly Simon. Guitarist Mac MacLaren and singer Melanie Wall play inspiring covers from the present, going back to the 70s and beyond. Catchy originals also played! CDs: With two pop CDs under their belt (produced by Katie Buckhaven producer, Nick Swannell), the duo's third CD 'A Bit Like Life', produced by Steve Ash (remixes for U2 and Bruce Springsteen) is a rare blend of acoustic and "electronica". Our CDs - For a Day, Film and A Bit Like Life are available at gigs!
Forthcoming gigs (4 of 5 total): Fri 11th Jul: British Queen, Meldreth... Sat 2nd Aug: The Mermaid, St Albans... Sun 3rd Aug: Private Function... Tue 19th Aug: The White Lion, St Albans
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| Fri 11 Jul | 
| | MacLaren Wall at British Queen, Meldreth A departure (literally!) for MacLaren Wall, we play one of Paul Davis's favourite pubs with (surprise) Paul Davis guesting on bass guitar. Pop and rock tunes in an acoustic style, from the Fifties (egads) to present day (innit). Coincidentally, Mac has ties with Meldreth, having worked on the technology park in Melbourn for more years than he cares to remember!
Looking forward to this one! 9pm - 11pm |
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| Sat 2 Aug |
| | MacLaren Wall at The Mermaid, St Albans We're back at the Mermaid, with the band!
A (drinking) game of two halves (wot? I need more than that), Mac n Mel treat you to a varied acoustic set followed by Dave ("I'm a famous drummer with BIG sideburns, so watch it") Morgan, and Paul ("I'll do my Jim'll Fix It, You See impersonation if I get half a chance") Davis on electrical bass guitar, in the second set.
Rock, pop, harmonies and legs. What better way to spend a dreamy Saturday evening in a haze of friendly faces and lashings of ale (ginger or otherwise)? 9pm - 11pm Acoustic v Band. Who will win? |
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| Sun 3 Aug | | | MacLaren Wall at Private Function midday private function |
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| Tue 19 Aug |
| | MacLaren Wall at The White Lion, St Albans Lion? White? Sounds like something from a fairy tale. Wind (that's "wined", not the other pronunciation) your way down the windy (ditto) back streets of St Albans, smell the barbequed air, quaff some fine ale, meet your bestest mates and tune your lugs to an evening of sweet and savoury acoustic snacks played on one guitar and two voice machines. 9pm - 11pm |
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| Sat 20 Sep | Covers & Original | | The Electric Jellyfish plus |
| MacLaren Wall (Original Acoustic + Covers) at Royal British Legion, Harpenden The annual Electric Jellyfish charity gig is now confirmed. Tickets will be available soon, price £5 per person. 8pm - midnight Charity Gig - Ticketed event, everyone welcome £5 |
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Original Demo 1 : Shoulder to Cry On [Electro Pop]12345678910 5 votes  average 7.00 Notes from MacLaren Wall: "Electro pop lives! We still do this song acoustically, but everyone says they love this treatment - portamento funk gone mad with drums where there just shouldn't be, you will cry... but Melanie's Madonna-esque vocal is a killer!"Get the Flash Player (and enable JavaScript) to listen to this MP3.
Original Demo 2 : Caught In The Wind [Pop/Rock]12345678910 3 votes  average 7.67 Notes from MacLaren Wall: "One of the first songs that Mac ever wrote (when he was 19, aww). When we recorded this, Alanis Morrisette was just breaking and we wanted a massive guitar-driven storm of a sound. Melanie is in Sooper Rock Chick mode on this one."Get the Flash Player (and enable JavaScript) to listen to this MP3.
Original Demo 3 : If I Came Back [Chillout]12345678910 4 votes  average 7.50 Notes from MacLaren Wall: "I was watching the news one evening, with the sound turned down... of course your imagination can go wild in such circumstances... and this song was born. Beautiful vocal on this, and just a really nice relaxed feel. Produced by Steve Ash, of U2 and Bruce Springsteen re-mix fame." | |
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| 1. Shocking!... 2. The Singer & The Songwriter... 3. Having a Laff... 4. Who's The Boss?... |
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| Previous Gigs / Events | |
 | MacLaren Wall at The Rose & Crown, St Albans on Mon 16th Jun 08  write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The Mermaid, St Albans on Sat 24th May 08 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall + J. Starck at Bar 62, St Albans on Sun 13th Apr 08 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall + J. Starck + Pete Sutton at The White Lion, St Albans on Tue 11th Mar 08 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The Mermaid, St Albans on Sat 16th Feb 08 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at Bar 62, St Albans on Sun 2nd Dec 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| Ellie Dee + MacLaren Wall at The Horn, St Albans on Thu 15th Nov 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The Rose & Crown, St Albans on Mon 22nd Oct 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| The Electric Jellyfish + MacLaren Wall at Royal British Legion, Harpenden on Sat 20th Oct 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The Mermaid, St Albans on Sat 6th Oct 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The Robin Hood, St Albans on Sun 16th Sep 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The White Lion, St Albans on Tue 14th Aug 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The Rose & Crown, St Albans on Mon 23rd Jul 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at Bar 62, St Albans on Sun 17th Jun 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at Bar 62, St Albans on Sun 15th Apr 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| Pete White & John Beeson + MacLaren Wall + James Gibbs at The Horn, St Albans on Wed 14th Feb 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The White Lion, St Albans on Tue 16th Jan 07 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall + [special guests] at The Rose & Crown, St Albans on Mon 13th Nov 06 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall + [special guests] at The White Lion, St Albans on Tue 3rd Oct 06 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| MacLaren Wall at The Rose & Crown, St Albans on Mon 14th Aug 06 write a gig review for MacLaren Wall » |
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| Reviews | |
| Write a review for MacLaren Wall » | |
 It doesn't get much better Bar 62, St Albans on Sun 15th Apr 07 | |
   Last night, on a balmy Sunday night what more could a girl ask for than a superb night out at BAR 62. Soothing sounds were supplied from the talented duo Maclaren Wall with comfy sofas, chilled wine, beer and friends and no cigarette smoke! Totally refreshing. We were treated to many of their delightful cover versions, my personal favourites were Alanis Morissette, Madonna, Sinead O'Connor, a haunting version of nothing compares to you, Maria Mckee and many more for 2 hours. They also write their own songs which are very impressive and beautifully sung. So if you fancy a chill out Sunday session with friends over a decent bottle of wine, I highly recommend Maclaren Wall at Bar 62, am sure you won't be at all disappointed, we weren't. | |
| A music fan, Mon 16th Apr 07 | |
| Reply from MacLaren Wall: We really enjoyed playing to you, so thanks for your kind words! Bar 62 is a really comfortable place to play (for us as well as you lot sprawling on your sofas...) Hope to see you again soon - M & M. | |
| Easy Going Musical Fun The Rose & Crown, St Albans on Mon 13th Nov 06 | |
 Although I love the excitement of a gigging rock band, it makes a pleasant change to be able to sit just feet away from an act without your eardrums bleeding. Mac & Mel are two people just enjoying the simple pleasures of singing and playing in front of a relaxed audience. Professional enough to not be distracted by a few loud chatting punters in the room, but not too slick to have to ask each other where they were in the set. Too many musicians forget that reacting to and communicating with an audience are part of the whole "Live Music" experience! Half time entertainment came courtesy of three other local musicians playing acoustic guitar, bass and a pared-down drum kit. Almost like a well-organised open mike evening, the sound balance throughout had none of that awful emphasized mid-frequency element that ruins many other live bands' audio balances.
A nice mix of originals and covers from the main act, and the pub itself wasn't too smoky or heaving.
One more thing: despite their rather serious image in a few of their photos on this site and their own website(!), both Mel & Mac smiled through the entire set and are really happy & friendly people in the flesh. A few more photos like the one in front of the wall please, if I can make one polite request!
Anyway, thanks for a nice evening of songs! | |
| Paul, Tue 14th Nov 06 | |
| Reply from MacLaren Wall: Thanks Paul - we had a great time, and yes, it really was fun! The atmosphere in places like the Rose & Crown is often like that, with most people (ahem, you know who we mean) not making too much noise, but having enough freedom to both enjoy the music and meet and greet each other, and buy some beers.
Yes, we promise will smile next time we get our ugly mugs photographed...
Hope to see you again at a future gig! Cheers - M & M. | |
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 [Wed 18th Jun 08] Variety Pack Surprise Not that we'd ever admit to being the Cornflakes or Rice Krispies of that exciting, cellophane-wrapped cuboid of goodies that your Gran used to magically supply you with on your holidays, but... there were some sugar-coated gems last night...
Last night's MacLaren Wall acoustic gig was a pleasure for us, as always, but also had the bonus of some unexpected and surprising floorspots.
After we had dispensed some rhythmic opening numbers, mostly played with the guitar actually plugged IN, ahem... (Roadies, where WERE you?!), we opened up the floor to guests. First up, the ever affable Mr Bill Johnson, star of a thousand pop operas and wizard songwriting guru, delivered two typically upbeat, melodic, if slightly quirky, and if slightly high-pitched (for which he made appropriate apologies) songs.
Bill then invited newbie Charlotte to come up and play. Bill has a knack of finding (or do they find him?) Beautiful Young Singers with Absolutely Jawdropping Voices. Charlotte, you had the place frozen with concentration - come back soon! The duo's rendition of Damian Rice's "Cannonball" reminded me why I had taken it to Oxfam after it had gathered dust on my CD rack for a whole year: not because the song was in any way inadequate, but because my emotional threshold is way below his. And, possibly, below Charlotte's. Woooow.
Next to share his emotional stories with us was Chris Flegg, a highly accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist. Again, Chris's raw emotions, packaged snugly in a warm voice that would melt the tip of your ice lolly at ten feet, silenced the small but hugely appreciative audience. Afterwards, we compared sizes of lumps-in-throats, and for once, mine wasn't the smallest.
To perfectly balance the mood, the final floorspot was from Dave from Juke Joint, who had cleverly swapped his strapping rock'n'roll double bass for a child-size ukelele. Dave has a wonderfully light-hearted delivery to his songs - one by George Formby, a lesser-known sweet-as-can-be romantic ditty called "Noughts and Crosses" - brought back memories of innocence without the gullibility, sweetness without the stickiness.
We finished off with half an hour or so of KT Tunstall, Amy Macdonald, Scissor Sisters and an ill-advised, un-rehearsed "Yada Yada" (Dory Previn) which Melanie got her teeth into nicely. And I got my fingers caught between the strings and fretboard. Never mind, no-one noticed, although a few were heard asking for their money back on the way out, must get to the bottom of that one...
I'm joking, of course... I had one of the most enjoyable evenings ever at the R & C, and I hope that this busier-than-usual evening will help stoke the fire of this format of gig, not only at this quaint old music-loving pub, but all over the place. | [Tue 9th Oct 07] Mermaid gig success MacLaren Wall played at The Mermaid - the first live music since new landlords Pete and Katie took over, and a fine welcome they provided too - the place is transformed!
Thank you Suzanne, thank you Owain, we don't expect dancing but your dipping and grooving put an extra level of sheen on the evening.
The Cider and Beer Festival ran all weekend and, starved of ale on Saturday night, Mac did return to the aforesaid establishment and partake of a few "5 Hops", strangely enough nothing to do with dancing.
The Mermaid promises regular live music, of which we hope to be a regular part.
Thanks to all the friendly faces who came down, and thanks for putting up with the shambolic false starts on a couple of songs. We all had a grand night out. | [Tue 20th Mar 07] Guitar lesson Just a little sermon today, to all you acoustic players out there. The last gig we had - at The Horn in St Albans - was saved from anonymity by a disastrous string-break. My mind was focussed only on repairing the damage... get the new string, find the box... how long will this take, can Melanie keep them engaged while I open the packet and... but there is a hero, jumping up onto the stage, the previous guitarist, offering me his guitar (no, he will not be nameless, he was none other than the most excellent - and chivalrous - Pete White)...
30 seconds later we re-started the "broken" song, and it was astonishing. Although Pete's guitar has a narrower neck than I was used to, and it took all my concentration to get the chord shapes right, the sound was incredible. I stopped myself from thinking about it during our half-hour set, but afterwards, I knew. Two very basic things. ONE: Guitars that cost more to buy sound better (to the forum, please!) and TWO: if you are going to use strings that you've had on your guitar since Labour got in, don't expect people to be impressed. Guitar strings age. They get flabby and boring, just like middle-aged men (present company excepted, of course). They lose their expression, they become dull. They are full of dirt and grease, and it should be against the law to strum such faded, jaded, play-dead wires. To summarise, folks: always use fresh strings, they will sound a hundred times better. And don't play before Pete White, or you may not be offered his very lovely, very clean guitar. | [Tue 14th Nov 06] Magical connections Rod Stewart was on the radio last week, talking about his life and career in music, and was bemoaning the fact that not enough of today's TV Pop Idoly Wannabes had been through what he had... namely "5 or 6 years on the pubs and clubs circuit".
I agree with him. You have absolutely no idea how to interact with an audience, or how to play to them, or *for* them, if all you've ever known is a studio, cameras, lights and a mob of production staff.
Playing live, like we did last night, makes a connection between performer and listener that is utterly magical... having them almost in your lap can be spellbinding, unless they are unwashed, which I'm pleased to say our lot weren't. Unwashed, that is, not washed. I digress.... when Melanie sang 'The Man With The Child In His Eyes' by Kate Bush, you could have heard a pin drop. Even the extractor fan went silent.
These unseasoned pretenders do have an advantage though. With all their megawatts of sound pumping from their shiny stages, they'll never be able to detect a maximum volume ringtone in the front row. What a relief. | |
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| CDs | |
 | | For a Day
"Drenched in layers of stirring harmony stickier than a romantic night in a Cypriot cake-shop" - Stavros Vella
"Music to drive to, a BMW amongst a tired, sad fleet. This vehicle of guitar pop doesn't just get you from A to B: you love the journey too. Soothing harmonies, upbeat guitar. Rich melodies. Commercial mainstream, yes. Done it all before, no. Melanie Wall's vocals are pure and clean, yet gutsy and rich... Imagine: the title track is a hot sunny day on an open road, and you haven't felt so happy since the divorce. A pure delight. Overtake, and 'Caught In The Wind' motors along like Alanis Morrisette with a plane to catch. 'Neverending' diverts you along the coast for a trail of lyrical pop harmonies... change lane for a while to relax in the cooling breeze of 'Rocking Waltz Dream' and the absolutely bristling 'Shading In The Unknown' (played live), and brace yourself for 'Finish What I Started'. Overdrive. Fast Lane. Give way? Red light? Just say 'NO' !! - Lloyd Dominic-Barnard, Mountain Hill Music
1. For a Day (3:34) 2. Caught In The Wind (3:37) 3. Neverending (3:52) 4. Rocking Waltz Dream (2:28) 5. Shading In The Unknown 6. Finish What I Started (3:55) + special bonus hidden track (yes, we were there!)
Recorded at Rockfish Music, England, UK. |
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Responding To Beauty (3:50), Need To be With You (3:09), Shoulder To Cry On (3:27), Sounds Like a Song (4:39), If I Came Back (3:23)
MW's third release, a very different approach to their acoustic repertoire, produced by ex-Black Dog's Steve Ash, renowned for his re-mixing portfolio.
"fantastic - very polished/professional and great to hear it combined with the funky background noise..." Susan P, Beds
"nice textures, memorable hooks... I really enjoyed this album. It really does grow on you. The low-key and unpretentious approach achieves a very under-stated feel, leaving you in a very relaxed mood. I like the clarity of Melanie's vocal and the design work is excellent..." Richard G, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
"I really enjoyed listening to it - played it over 5 times in a row in the car to/from work!" - Justin G, Bath
"Nicely contemporary-sounding, and Melanie's voice sounds great... great stuff, and I hope it gets you some interest from those evil music corporations." Nick S, Bedford
"Absolutely loved this... not what I was expecting from you guys at all... superb songs, and very, very polished..." Debbie G, Shropshire |
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1. Steel 2. Price of Love 3. Who Knows 4. Rain
"Strong songs - excellent" - Ty Unwin, BBC composer
"Shows songwriting maturity and intelligence" - Observer magazine
"Price of Love is the hidden classic pop song" - Rockfish Music, Channel 4 writer |
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| Links | |
| Deaf Shepherd |
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 Melanie and I love Deaf Shepherd - they are a great live band, with a pleasant banter and wit... but they also took really good care of us when we were just starting out, and gave us money for chips on the way home*. God bless em.
(* Actually that may have been our fee, I was never sure) (1 link) |
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| Swell CD compilation |
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 Swell was Mac's Big Project of the nineties (Lemonrock is his Big Project for the Rest of His Life). We put together a compilation CD of 19 tracks from 11 local bands and artists, recorded most of it ourselves, and had it professionally digitally re-mastered at SRT, and paid professionals to do the artwork. The result: something that you just can't help feeling proud of. It still sounds great! (2 links) |
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| Bill Johnson |
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| Bill has been involved in the St Albans music scene for at least 200 years. Over the centuries, he has taken under his wing many timorous beasties who have unfolded into colourful singer/songwriter butterflies. He is the best songwriter I know (ahem, apart from me, I mean). His sense of metre, melody and his sheer memory for music, both tunes and words, is quite awesome. |
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| Paul Davis |
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 Bass player with Fridge Magnates, Paul has a great ear for a tune, can play all types of bass, and is a talented piano player to boot. Find him at one of our gigs soon! (6 links) |
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| 3 Blind Mice |
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 Sheer sycophantism. Brilliant live band with ship loads of brilliant tunes, masterclass playing, unbelievable arrangements, and really nice, honest, passionate people. The best live singer/songwriter, original experience you can have. |
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| Pipanellie |
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 Had the pleasure of seeing Pipanellie at the Mermaid in St Albans. Great songs, lively, interactive performance, and brilliant playing. Guitar + 2 vocals + electric fiddle + all kinds of songs = a highly enjoyable evening! Oh, and they look great as well... (6 links) |
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| The Pocket Gods |
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 Mark Lee's band is all about raw (maybe even slightly chafing) fun... no holds barred misunderstood genius meets irresistably naive looking mad(-ish) teen. |
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| Eddie's Brother |
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 No-one actually knows who Eddie is or was, but his brother is acoustic genius Chris French, one half of the delectable Pale Marble Movie. Chris sometimes pops up as a guest at our acoustic gigs, and is always a breath of fresh air. (1 link) |
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| The Boxing Grannies |
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 Terrific live band made up from many Rodfords (ex-Argent, Blunstone, Kinks) and the best (and nicest) guitarist you are ever likely to meet, Bernie Devine. |
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| Mac MacLaren & Friends |
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 As if it wasn't obvious, Mac MacLaren is one half of MacLaren Wall, the quiet half that is. The thinker (not that Mel doesn't have a brain, but she's more likely to chat you up at a gig because she is infinitely prettier). Mac's solo stuff includes some songs that the duo don't play together, and a rather different set of covers, ranging from Travis to Elton John. (2 links) |
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| Dundee Station |
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 A creative tangent for Mac, Dundee Station was part uncharted territory, and part tidying-up exercise where the unfinished, or previously unworkable MW stuff finally got exorcised, chased, unravelled, gently spanked and put to digital bed.
Mac played many of the instruments himself, took the photographs for the CD, and brought many assorted biscuits into Nick's studio. Very satisfying. (1 link) |
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| The White Lion, St Albans |
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 One of our favourite places to play, The White Lion in Sopwell Lane must just about be the Perfect Pub. Comfortable seating, good beers and wines, and a top place to gig. Despite the rather awkward layout (because of walls, bars and beams, etc) there is always a good vibe in this place. |
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| The High Ones |
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 The High Ones were one of the best original bands of the 90s - we used to travel near and far to see them, often at a huge place down in Finsbury Park. Nigel's songwriting is tuneful, and refreshingly open. "Right between the Eyes" pop! |
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| The Mermaid, St Albans |
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 Easily one of our favourite venues to play. Why? Great crowd, great landlord/lady, great atmosphere, real ales, and a Real Pub full of Real People. Can't ask for more! |
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| Page last updated 4 July 08, gig/event details last updated 27 June 08. |
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| Page first created on Lemonrock 6 June 05. |  |
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