The VirginMarys (Interview)

The VirginMarys are a three piece power trio from the NorthWest who formed in January of this year. Already the band have completed their debut album ‘Self Medication’ and are set to release their first single in November on the back of a UK tour. 4Q caught up with Ally ( Guitar and Vocals ), Matt ( Bass and backing Vocals ) and Daniel ( Drums ) for a quick interview.

Ally and Daniel have been playing together for years since they met at college studying music; kicking around ideas which later took on a new shape with the arrival of Matt in the last few months, sticking to the original line-up ever since.
Known for their freewheeling, psychedelic sound, the band have an open- ended approach toward writing their songs: “Sometimes we write things alone and then get the others round to listen, or when we’ re jamming and come up with something we like, there’ s no set formula”

The band has been playing together for only a few months but has continued to build on their following since their first ever gigs in Macclesfield: ‘Yeah it was rammed, whenever we play in Mac the crowds are good. Right now we’ve got gigs booked up ‘til November and then after the tour and the single…we’ll see what changes !’

The longstanding relationship between Ally and Daniel has left an indelible impression on their music, giving them a resonant, instinctive feel that enables them to straddle the genres of blues, psychedelia and heavy rock ‘n’ roll with ease. Songs like Off to another land sound like a turbo charged Black Sabbath leading an army into battle in a joyously frenetic four minute gem, while Portrait of red, acts as a powerful call to arms in the purest sense of sex and rock and roll in all its caterwauling, fret pummelling pomp.

As for the single itself, the band is pretty confident about their repertoire of songs, taking the extra time to pick the best one possible. “We’ve got four tracks right now that we’re just waiting to be mixed. We’ve already had six mixed by a guy called Mike Fraiser who mixed the last AC/DC album and they sounded really good, but four need finishing. There’s been no decision on the first single”

Although it could be any number of choices to launch their first foray into the music charts, 4Q thinks they could do much worse than choosing office favourite satellite, a brilliant, seismic beast tamed by Ally’s throaty, soulful vocals. Underpinned with a rhythmic sense of purpose, at times it sounds like led zeppelin swaggering through a hail of bullets.

Not content with resting on their laurels and staying in the North, the band have designs on the festival scene “ Well we’ re doing one with the Blue Tones in Derbyshire called the Y Not festival, it’s great to play festivals. Any of the major festivals- I think festivals more than anything”

Do they have a particular venue or event in mind that they want to reach for? “Glastonbury would be good. Yeah, yeah all of the above! The whole stereotypical band’s dream I guess!”

Playing the club circuit and taking their time over their music has paid off, seeing them move away from the overly- Northern accented trend started by bands like The Arctic Monkeys and instead going the extra mile. Now they sound louder, edgier, angrier. As the rising sense of menace in Ends don’t mend broods beneath thunderous, powerful drumming, we can hear the passion and poetical undertones punching their way to the surface. By abandoning the cheap vocal gimmicks of so many of their peers, they look set to extend their fan base beyond their currently favoured local haunts.

Already garnering critical acclaim, they have been played on UK Radio 1, won the ‘future classics’ competition on DJ Rock Radio and built up a laundry list of positive reviews. Despite their number, they have no plans to alter their winning formula by adding a new member. As Ally himself puts it: ‘I think everyone is happy with the sound we get with just the three members’.

With high praise and a full schedule already spurring the dynamic three- piece onwards; their album all but done and a single right around the corner, the VirginMarys aren’t letting it all go to their heads. Right now, they’re remaining focussed, playing it just a little bit cool: “At the moment we’re after recognition, hopefully the single will do really well!”

www.myspace.com/thevirginmarys

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