Macc Lads
| The Macc Lads | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Macclesfield, Cheshire, England |
| Genres | Punk rock, Hard rock |
| Years active | 1981–1995 |
| Website | www.macclads.co.uk |
The Macc Lads were a punk and hard rock band from Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. Self-proclaimed the "rudest, crudest, lewdest, drunkest band in Christendom",[1] the Macc Lads used irreverent, zany, foul-mouthed and politically incorrect lyrics; common lyrical themes were drinking, sexism and homophobia.[2] Active from 1981 to 1995 the band now tend to be regarded more favourably by music historians, in contrast to the reaction the band generated in their heyday.
Contents
Concerts
The band were prevented from entering or ejected from gigs in Macclesfield, London, Huddersfield, Bury, Cornwall, Blackpool, Colchester, Hull, Newcastle, Cleethorpes, Northampton, Leeds, Wigan, Lincoln, Bolton, Mansfield, Portsmouth, Cheltenham, Norwich and the USA.
A concert at the Birmingham Hummingbird in 1989 resulted in thousands of pounds worth of damage by fans. Vandalism included scaffolding being pulled apart and thrown onstage as well as a broken toilet, pots of paint and ashtrays.[3] Band members McCavity and Mutley suffered cut heads and fans went on stage to fight road crew and stage security members Lockstock and Mungo.
The Lads' website states that at a gig in Cheltenham in 1991 a "bag of hot sick" was thrown at the band.[3]
Break up and subsequent media appearances
The band last performed at a private show in 1997 for Muttley's local football team in Macclesfield. The line up was the four-piece of Muttley, Winston Dread, Al O'Peesha and Johnny Mard.[citation needed] In 1999, Stez Styx, The Beater, Muttley and Al O'Peesha reunited for an interview at the Ivy House pub, Macclesfield for The Bear's Head fan website. This was conducted by long term Macc Lads fan and Bears's Head fansite contributor Lance Manley (Liquid Goblin)[4]
On June 23rd 2015 The Guardian UK newspaper published an article by Ian Gittins that pointed out the satire in the Macc Lads lyrics and that they had arrived "too early" in music history to not be taken at face value. The article stated that they were ultimately "a coarse yet clever spoof".[5] Muttley McLad himself rejected this description, saying "There was no ulterior motive, The Guardian are reading too much into it. Making us out to be witty, intelligent satirists is probably the worst thing that’s ever been said about us."[6]
In November 2015 a 5-minute documentary by Joe Conning was made and published on January 2nd 2016 on YouTube and social media. The video is another reunion of the original line up with Muttley, The Beater and Stez Styx giving insights into lyrics the band wrote plus reflections on their success. Also contributing was long term "affiliate" Bammy the Bamster who is mentioned in a couple of the band's songs. [7]
Band members
The only member to be with the band throughout their career was Mutley Mclad, real name Tristan O'Neill, who performed vocals, bass, and wrote lyrics. Other band members included:
- The Beater – lead guitarist, backing vocals (lead vocals on Boddies), 1981–1986, 1986–1989, 1990–1991.
- Stez Styx – (real name Howard Minns) Drums, backing vocals (lead vocals on "Newcy Brown") 1981-1986, 1990-1991.
- Philip "Fast Fret" McCavity – Guitar, backing vocals, 1989–1990.
- Al O'Peesha – (real name Peter Bossley, a journalist with The Sentinel) Guitar, piano, backing vocals 1991, 1993–1995. Died in 2005 in Stoke-on-Trent.[8]
- Cheeky Monkey – Drums, backing vocals 1985–1986.
- Chorley the Hord – Drums, backing vocals 1986–1989
- Johnny Mard - Guitar, backing vocals 1993-1995
- Winston Dread - Drums, backing vocals 1993–1995
- Uncle Knobby - Guitar, backing vocals, 1986
Other vocalists:
- Barrel - Roadie, lead vocals on "Feed Your Face", 1985
- Binbag - lead vocals on "Dans Round Us 'Andbags", and "Fluffy Pup"
- Stella Strict - lead vocals on "Two Stroke Eddie", live singer of Fluffy Pup in 1990.
- Young Man - lead vocals on "Failure With Girls", 1986
Discography
Albums
- Eh Up (1983) Hectic House
- Beer & Sex & Chips n Gravy (1985) Hectic House
- Bitter, Fit Crack (1987) Hectic House
- Live at Leeds (the who?) (1988) Dojo
- From Beer to Eternity (1989) Dojo – UK No. 72[9]
- The Beer Necessities (1990) Dojo
- Alehouse Rock (1994) Dojo
EPs
- One Gallon Demo (1982)
- Minge Pies and Mistletoe (1983)
- Macc Lads 5 (fan club only) (1986)
- Filthy, Fat and Flatulent (1987)
- Sheepless Nights (1988)
- ...and Drinking Partners (1989)
- Bog N Roll Circus (1990)
- Turtles' Heads (1991)
- England (2006)
Compilations
- Dirty CD Chips n Gravy (1989)
- Twenty Golden Crates (1991)
- An Orifice and a Genital (Outtakes 1986–1991) (1993) Dojo
- God's Gift to Women (1998)
- The Lads From Macc (1999)
- Anthology (1999)
Videos
- Beer and Sex and Chips 'n' Gravy (1986)
- Made in Macc (1987)
- Four Bleats to the Baa (1988)
- Come to Brum (live in Birmingham) (1988)
- The Three Bears (1989)
- The Quality of Mersey (live in Liverpool) (1989)
- The Beer Necessities (1990)
- Sex, Pies and Videotape (live in Manchester) (1991). The video was produced by EMI. Mutley stated in an interview in 1999 that the final result was "nearly as rude as a school choir".[10][dubious ]
References
- ↑ "A celebration of bad manners." Europe Intelligence Wire 14 Dec. 2006. General OneFile. Web. 5 Dec. 2011.
- ↑ Ben, Hoyle. "Is charming Macclesfield really such a cultural cul-de-sac?." Times, The (United Kingdom) n.d.: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 5 Dec. 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Macc Lads. The Macc Lads. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
- ↑ name=macclads.co.uk/Bears/int12.htm
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jun/23/cult-heroes-the-macc-lads-satirists-not-knuckle-draggers
- ↑ http://www.macclesfield-express.co.uk/news/local-news/were-every-bit-bad-seemed-9599602
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTflZWOOXeE
- ↑ Holdthefrontpage.co.uk
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ The Unofficial Macc Lads Web Site. Macclads.co.uk (1999-08-31). Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
