GARRY The Hat brings his look back at the year in Macclesfield music ...
AS WE slip into the second decade of the 21st century it is my intention to review what of significance has occurred on the music scene in the bonny borough of Macclesfield during the last 12 months. I honestly believe it has been a vintage year and hopefully the first of a significant run of them.
Firstly I would like to look at local artists. What of the Virginmarys? Whilst still the most significant act to have come from this town in a light-year, I am becoming impatient that they have not yet been catapulted into the rarefied air of genuine rock stardom where they manifestly belong.
A re-recording of some of some of the material from their album ‘Self Medication’ (still one of my favoured possessions) plus a couple of additional tracks was done this year at the Chapel Studios in Louth with some industry ‘big hitters’ involved. The legendary Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Aerosmith etc) has mixed it.
I have heard the unmastered mixes which are frankly superb but rather disappointingly we are not to get a release of the complete session. What proportion of it we do get will hopefully be available before the spring arrives and the rock press are apparently waiting with bated breath.
A place at this year’s Download Festival is purportedly assured, as a stand alone event that is significant but what of ‘V’, Glastonbury , Leeds/Reading? They should be doing them all, hopefully some of them will get ticked off yet.
They have made impressive inroads onto the Scottish scene this year having swept all before them on Rock Radio Scotland and following it up with some significant gigs in many renowned venues north of the border (T in the Park maybe?). By
that I am impressed and it proves what I have long believed, which is that you could place this band almost anywhere on the planet and win an audience over in one sitting. I still think that this will be the most important year in their story so far, even if I am getting impatient.
I continue to adore this band and believe that Ally Dickaty is the closest thing to a rock genius I am ever likely to meet. Meanwhile they continue to tread water (brilliantly mind you) every other Wednesday at Ronnies.
More in next week's Express.
The Unshaggables play the Old Kings Head, Byrons Lane, Gurnett on New Years Eve, definitely my pick of the bunch.
Jan 2nd at the Millstone appear new band (to me at least) Glass Onion and on Sunday Jan 3rd the first new venue of 2010 comes onto the scene – the Crompton Rd Tavern and they are starting with the excellent guitar duo Ferg and Tom doing a mixed set of originals and covers from around 8.30.
Support live Music (it will make your year)
