20/12/2004
Well the year's end is fast approaching and it must be said that the idea of a clean sheet is most appealing. Not that 2004 has been disappointing in any sense even though there have been setbacks, but more a case of concerted efforts towards gigs and new releases.

December saw Mac doing a solo spot at a Cyprus night with the full band playing a successful gig at the Rose and Crown in Sandridge. The band also played at the wake of a good friend and band assistant, Steve Williams, who also came off his motorbike in an accident similar to Macs, although in his case he wasn't so lucky. Sadly missed by many, the local musicians showed their respect by putting on a memorial show at The Horn, with Mac and band playing the middle set.

With midwinter just about on us it's good to know that once again the days will be getting longer and spring will soon be waxing her magic. Wishing you all the very best for the festive season with a healthy, happy and successful New Year in the offing.

ps If you check the photo below with the one above you may notice a certain similarity, which is quite surprising considering there's a time lapse of 40 years.
01/10/2004
Couple of finds from the archives this month: some studio shots by Jack Pia from 1965 and a lost recording. Jack Pia used to run a very bohemian coffee house in St Albans, the Christopher Inn, which was quite the centre for the Albanian out and abouters. He was also a very respected and talented photographer. Mac had put his name forward to do some shots with Don, and the result, amongst order things, was the sleeve for ‘Fairy Tale’. To show his thanks for the favour, Jack took a series of photos of Mac both on location and at his London studio. The collection? can be seen here......The lost recording from 1966, discovered by Swedish DJ Jonas Engberg, was a cover ot Dons ‘Josie’ on the Jukebox label. Funnily enough, Don had offered the song to Mac the year before back in England, but it hadn’t been taken up at the time.
01/09/2004
Well summer was finally here and we were well and truly conned. Record rainfall and afternoons spent at the digs! Never mind, with plenty of things to do inside the time wasn't wasted. Apart from Mac working on new material with Mark at his studio and continuing physio on his thumb (for a change, 'twiddling his
thumbs takes on a new meaning) he has made a guest appearance on the debut album by MAYA, a new band signed to the fledgling 'New Age' Paradise label. He has contributed some free form flute solos to a couple of tracks on the CD which is due to be released on September 15th.
01/08/2004
Now that summer's finally here it's time to pack the bucket and spade and head for the seaside... Newquay no less! As the band have other commitments it's a case of Mac on his jack and time for an acoustic interlude at local venues including a spot on the surfers' special, Malibu Surf FM.
09/07/2004
Thanks to everyone who came down to the successful 'Return To The Horn' gig last night. Mac re-arranged the set list to accommodate the new four piece line-up, and the resulting tight sound went down a storm with the faithful. The band hit the stage just before 11.00pm and played into the next day, in fact they started on Mark's birthday and finished up on Macs!
01/07/2004
Welcome to the new site! There's been lots happening, Mac's had to cancel several gigs lately, owing to coming off his Suzuki Bandit 1200 which wasn't at all kind to his left hand thumb, which is sticking out like the proverbial. After intensive therapy he is getting back on track without a motorbike and with a successful first post-op gig at the Hat Factory, Luton. The next one not to be missed is happening in St Albans at The Horn on Thursday 8th July with the Band 'Murky Past' (I wonder where that one came from!), consisting of the enigmatic Ruthie Tidmarsh on bass and backing vocals, the devine Count Bernie on lead guitar and the irrepressible Mark Burr on drums and lip.
This line-up differs from last year's Neo Camel with the departure of the multi talented Richie Stevens who is now concentrating on his own band Rocket Child, and we all wish him the best of luck with many thanks for his great input in the past.