麻豆社

This pop/rock band evolved from many a Worcestershire/West Midlands-based band, to their current line up of Alison Bann (backing vocals, cello, percussion), Warwick Gastinger (guitar), Paul Miller (viola and Millertronics - a unique sound effects unit), Ian Rushbury (drums, vocals), Mark Winters (guitar, vocals) and Steve Elliott (producer/bassist).

Steve has been in the stage crew for Madonna, AC/DC and The Pogues - but don't ask Steve about injuries sustained from AC/DC's cannon!

The band enjoy a joke

Mark met Warwick back in the 90s, and they were soon joined by musical gun-for-hire Paul Miller, with his rather strange effects board and viola.

Steve just happened to live next door to Mark and upon hearing the racket created, said: "Do you need a bass player? By the way I've got a studio."

A pause for thought came up with the unanimous: "You're in!," and using assorted percussion players and drummers, they gigged the local scene.

They then met Ian from bass playing with indie rockers Little Red Schoolhouse, who came in on drums.

Joined by the folksy harmonies of Ella Wright, they recorded an album.

Alison Bann

Their debut 'The Valuable Fools', released in 2005, gained good reviews, including a 4/5 one on Reviewed4U.com, which said it was: "All in all a promising debut full of variety and textures."

麻豆社 Radio Producer Phil Swern said they had 'potential'.

Two tracks from it were included on an independent film soundtrack, and three tracks appeared on compilations of Midlands based bands, released by Gotham Records.

They have played prestigious events like Birmingham's Arts Fest, the Midlands Arts Centre and numerous local concerts.

With Alison Bann replacing Ella, they have now released their second album, 'What's Next Dad?', which took two years to record at their own studio, and is released on their own Lumbago label.

Some of the wide-ranging influences on the album are Thin Lizzy, Crowded House, The Waterboys and R.E.M.听

The members of the band come from different musical backgrounds - classical, folk, indie, electronica, power pop and classic rock.

Mark says: "There's a lot of people who've come to see us who have said they enjoy the variety in our music - maybe they feel it's something different?

"We've got a lot more of a cohesive sound on this one - it reflects our live performances more.

"Alison's vocals are stunning, and Warwick plays some blinding rock guitar solos.

"Paul's viola sound is also quite unique, as he's built his Millertronics effects unit himself."

Amongst other events, their first international airplay is gathering pace, with '1976 Anyway' being played on Canadian radio in Montreal and Ottawa.

You can listen to all the latest music from across the two counties on the Friday Session Introducing... every week from 7pm, on 麻豆社 Hereford & Worcester.