Andy Macintyre

Artist Information

Biography

"Some people seem born to be farmers, teachers, engineers, and yes, even politicians. But some are born to be musicians…guitar slingers to be more precise, and Andy Macintyre is one of those people... He’s fluid, versatile, and gutsy - he never lets technique trump what he wants to express... But he’s not just showing off - every note has a purpose and comes straight from the heart. Its more like his guitar has so much to say that he wants to fit it all in before the song ends…and we get to go along for the ride! WOW. I just can’t get enough of this guy’s guitar playing." - Marsha Mann, InSite Magazine March 2010 Austin, TX


Growing up in Chicago, Andy honed his musical tastes and style on the acoustic and electric guitar. (Interesting note: Andy is a natural lefty, but plays right-handed.) Completely self-taught, Andy learned to play entire albums. He has influences that range from pure blues, modern blues, classic and modern rock, pop and even country.

As a teenager Andy moved to Austin and found many amazing opportunities in the local music scene. After three years and two albums with local famed Indie band, "Dorkstar", he decided to step out and commit full-time to his own music with "The Primal Groove."

Andy released his first solo, full-length album, "Set Me Free" in May of 2007, starting a working relationship with producer and sound engineer, Ben Blank, a man with nine gold records under his belt. (see www.benblankmedia.com) Andy released his second album "Revolution" in January of 2010, again working with Ben, and several talented local Austin musicians. Several of the songs were recorded at Austin's famed Arlyn studios. "Revolution" being a slight departure from "Set Me Free" it gave a glimpse of Andy's musical range and a deeper delve into songwriting. With his upcoming release for later this year the yet-to-be-named album is set to define Andy as the kind of artist that defies genre and preconception.

Instrumentation

Doug Day - Drums
Christopher "Spanky" Alexander - Bass, Upright Bass, Fretless Bass
Andy Macintyre - Vocals, Lead Guitar

Discography

Andy released his debut album, "Set Me Free",on May 4th, 2007. "Revolution" released in Jan. 2010 is available online, local retailers and to buy at live performances.
Retail: local retailers Waterloo Records and Cheapo discs
Online: iTunes.com, AmazonMp3.com, CDBaby.com and Andy's myspace site and website, andymacintyre.com.
Songs to hear: available to hear on ReverbNation, Myspace, Facebook "My Band" tab, and samples on this site.
Airplay: KLBJ 93.7 "Local Licks Live" w/ Loris Lowe, KVRX Austin, KPFT Blues radio in Houston, West Texas Public Radio KTRS, Last.fm, and several internet blues radio sites including Electric Blues Radio360.
Other Releases: As member of Dorkstar- "Commercial Rock" (2005); Dorkstar- "Tryptophan" (2009)

“Revolution” is ISRC coded and retail ready with bar code and shrink wrap, printed via Discmakers.
“Set Me Free” has been assigned ISRC codes for digital distribution only through CDBaby.com and is also retail
ready with bar code and shrink wrap, printed via Discmakers.

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• MySpace
• ReverbNation
• Ben Blank
• Ourstage
• youtube

Audio

• Scotty's Song
  Listen  
• Sing Like a Bird
  Listen  
• Makayla
  Listen  
• Revolution
  Listen  
• In The Open
  Listen  
• Call My Name
  Listen  
• Cockroach
  Listen  
• Set Me Free
  Listen  
• Toys (Revisited)
  Listen  
• Leave Me Alone
  Listen  
• Waitin', Achin'
  Listen  
• 4th of July
  Listen  
• "109"
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Scotty's Song
• Sing Like a Bird
• Revolution
• Call my Name
• Set Me Free
• Black 'n' Blue
• Toys
• Leave Me Alone
• Waitin' and Achin'
• 4th of July
• "109"

Video

Blake X promo

Little Ruby Live at Darwin's Austin, TX

Photo Gallery

Press

• InSite Austin CD Review of "Revolution" [+ Show ]
  

  ANDY MACINTYRE Revolution Some people seem born to be farmers, teachers, engineers, and yes, even...ANDY MACINTYRE
  Revolution
  Some people seem born to be farmers,
  teachers, engineers, and yes, even politicians.
  But some are born to be musicians…
  guitar slingers to be more precise,
  and Andy MacIntyre is one of those people.
  It’s a real challenge to sit down and
  write a review of his latest project Revolution
  because no matter what I come up
  with in the form of carefully considered
  criticism (and there’s several things that
  deserve mentioning, to be sure), the fact
  remains, I just can’t get enough of this
  guy’s guitar playing. He may not be the
  best songwriter (but he’s getting better all
  the time…), and he may not have the most
  distinctive voice (but he really moved me
  with the front-porch-style acoustic cut,
  ‘109’, and actually made me cry with his
  tender ‘4th of July’ tune). It’s also obvious
  this guy practices…a lot. He’s fluid, versatile,
  and gutsy – he never lets technique
  trump what he wants to express. And did
  I forget to mention, Andy can play really
  fast as well (listen to his searing cover of
  Freddie King’s ‘In the Open’). But he’s not
  just showing off – every note has a purpose
  and comes straight from the heart.
  Its more like his guitar has so much to
  say that he wants to fit it all in before the
  song ends…and we get to go along for the
  ride! WOW.
  Focusing on some bothersome details:
  the title of the album doesn’t work –
  there’s nothing ‘revolutionary’ about the
  style of the music (rockin’ Texas blues
  w/ some impressive finger-picking), and
  there’s certainly no sign of politics either.
  Since the record does a great job of showcasing
  Andy’s wide- ranging talents within
  the genre he’s chosen, ‘In the Open’ might
  have served better and tied into the cover
  art more effectively (another provocative
  design by Andrew Stearns).
  The first track, ‘Makayla’ is beautifully
  complex and compelling (a little too
  compelling as an introduction to an artist
  you may have never heard), and it’s poorly
  mixed – the drums sound compressed and
  thin. The up-tempo, straight ahead ‘Sing
  Like A Bird’, or the catchy and heartfelt
  ‘Call My Name’ (which needs to be on the
  radio, pronto!), would have worked better
  as openers. There’s a real art to ordering
  an album and this one seems to have gotten
  jumbled up somehow. Since I’ve listened
  to it dozens of times now, I came up
  with another order: 4, 2, 7, 3, 1, 5, 9, 6, 8,
  and burned a copy…it’s awesome!
  The song ‘Revolution’ is actually one
  of my favorites – a grinding, swampy,
  downbeat blues that gets under your skin
  with some unexpected chord changes,
  rhythmic stutters and change-ups, a soulful
  vocal performance, and tasteful guitar
  embellishments. Song for song, this
  dynamic second effort by Andy MacIntyre
  is heads and shoulders above his first
  record, Set Me Free. There’s much more
  thoughtfulness and maturity on display
  here and I can only imagine where
  his guitar will take him in the next few
  years…I plan on being front and center to see it! - Marsha Mann

• Blues guitar phenomenon Andy Macintyre to perform Saturday [+ Show ]
  

  By MELODY MACK With a passion that began at the age of 9, Andy Macintyre quickly learned that mus...By MELODY MACK
  
  With a passion that began at the age of 9, Andy Macintyre quickly learned that music was his calling. It all started with jam sessions on the end of his bed while growing up in Chicago, memorizing albums such as The Rolling Stone’s “Sticky Fingers” and Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” but it seemed to be leading nowhere fast. Even though he was playing six or seven hours a day, he knew his music would not succeed without a band.
  
  When he moved to Austin his senior year, however, Macintyre found his band, and in subsequent years, he has played in 15 different bands, been featured on three different studio side projects, and has four studio albums under his belt.
  
  Macintyre released his first solo album in 2007 called “Set Me Free,” a blues-tinged rock offering that elicited comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Miles. Macintyre’s true goal — to be recognized as an innovative musician in his own right — came with the recent release of his second album, “Revolution.”
  
  “Two years ago I was sitting on the steps of my staircase playing things that I don’t necessarily want to play, and then all of a sudden this riff was just right there. I played the first two chords over and over, and within 10 minutes the song ‘Makayla’ wrote itself as I played it. It was incredible,” Macintyre said.
  
  Macintyre attributes much of his success to simple optimism, a core belief that any goal can be achieved. Four years ago, his dream was to play at the prime musical hotspot in Austin, Antone’s Nightclub. Even if he was just opening for a bigger name, Macintyre told himself he was going to succeed. Now, not only has he played there four times, but he has managed to land a major spot that includes many other successful blues/rock talents performing alongside him. “I think the music business is all about baby steps each day. It can really be a hindrance sometimes, but when it start to deter you with the negativity, which always sneaks in, you just have to fight that stuff off,” Macintyre said. “I want people to accept my music for what it is, and when they hear me realize that I am not just a synthesis of everyone I have heard, but know, OK, that is Andy Macintyre.”
  
  Macintyre’s current tour schedule includes cities stretched across the Lone Star State as well as dates in Colorado, New Mexico and Louisiana. He said he is looking forward to his upcoming Lubbock performance, too, and fans can expect a fun, laid-back evening.
  
  “This show is going to be a mix of several songs off my first album and several off the second. Then we will perform certain covers, as well. Some are crowd pleasers and some are ones you do not always expect,” Macintyre said. “Please don’t be afraid to approach anyone in the band and inquire about CDs or ask any questions. We love to meet new fans and we don’t bite.”

• LIVE REVIEW: Soulful Austin blues and searing edgey riffs singe 515 [+ Show ]
  

  Andy Macintyre and band The Primal Groove rolled into town direct from a 22 hour drive from Austin, ...Andy Macintyre and band The Primal Groove rolled into town direct from a 22 hour drive from Austin, Texas ready to play. Unfortuneately there wasn’t much of an audience turn-out, but this made it a more intimate and jocular experience. The band wailed through covers and original material from Andy’s two CDs while joking about everything from Andy’s amp going out mid song to the ride from Austin to a number of other humorous anecdotes throughout the evening.
  Macintyre is known for his edgey style of distorted laden blues riffs, clean acoustic lines, and soulful voice. Taking on all kinds of blues rock cover material that many other acts wouldn’t touch like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Scuttle Buttin’, A-Mac added his take-no-prisoners approach to fierce and growling tones on his beat up reverse-headstock Fender Strat.
  Bassist Christopher “Spanky” Alexander was getting some of the best fretless bass sounds from a fretted bass I’ve ever heard. He also took over vocals from Macintyre on a few numbers. Dummer Richard Lamm’s drive and showmanship was bested only by his creative accents and fills. On some of the pieces I heard with slower intro’s or calmer phrasing, Lamm added some really nice percussion.
  Overall, Macintyres reputation as a slash-and-burn guitarist was certainly evident, but since I expected that it wasn’t nearly as surprising as the really nice dynamics the group had. It’s not every guitar player with this kind of reputation that knows how to play “negative space” with some well done changes in tempo, volume, and soulful quiet passages. I was very impressed. I was also impressed when after the break he picked up his acoustic guitar and played a couple numbers solo with beautiful tones and skills.
  Next on to Pagosa Springs, you can learn more about Andy and his latest CD “Revolution” at his web site at http://www.andymacintyre.com/ or find him on Facebook and Myspace.
  Butch Leitz - Soundboard Freedom Blogging (Jun 25, 2010)

• DOWNTOWN SEEN: Andy Macintyre gets his primal groove on [+ Show ]
  

  Andy Macintyre was back in town Tuesday night playing to a handful of new fans at McCabes Tavern wit...Andy Macintyre was back in town Tuesday night playing to a handful of new fans at McCabes Tavern with his band Primal Groove featuring Chris Alexander on bass and relative newcomer on drums (to Primal Groove anyway) Nico Leophonte. Nico’s played with Chris Duarte, Tommy Shannon, and many other musicians in the Austin circuit, so this is a nice matchup.
  Together, the power trio formed a tight unit, and I think a little stronger and more cohesive than the last time I saw them in the area a few months ago. I saw more than one person use their cell phones to text their friends to get them to come down to see Macintyre. (I know they were doing that because for some reason they felt complled to yelled at me “I JUST TEXTED MY BUDDY TO GET DOWN HERE” over the band’s hard driving rhythm section!)
  Playing originals and blues rock ala Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix (several times), the band is touring in support of their CD “Revolution”.
  Alexander had a few solos during the night and showed he’s no slouch on the bass doing some pretty crazy runs and chord progressions and at times getting a great fretless sound out of his bass. Leophonte had a few cool breaks but the highlight was him playing a solo almost entirely on the rims in incredibly fast beats.
  Macintyre’s slash-and-burn approach to his playing is still evident although there were alot of dynamics in tuesday nights performance. He’d bend over almost to the floor seeming to coax out whispery sounds from his Fender strat before jumping up and ripping through the house with some very distorted ladened riffs.
  The band is winding it’s way through western Colorado, heading for Pagosa Springs then Durango before turning back towards Texas.

• Interview on KVRX Austin, TX Sept. 2010
  

  Interview to promote show for Austin Blues Society at Antone's click the link to view on YouTube

• Midland Reporter Interview '09 [+ Show ]
  

  Austin bluesman talks about 'Family Guy,' Michael Jackson and upcoming Midland shows by Nancy Adams...Austin bluesman talks about 'Family Guy,' Michael Jackson and upcoming Midland shows
  by Nancy Adamson
  Midland Reporter-Telegram
  Published: Saturday, August 8, 2009 12:01 AM CDT
  By Nancy Adamson
  
  Music Editor
  
  Andy Macintyre is what some people would describe as a 'character.' Several characters, actually.
  
  His outgoing personality, mischievous sense of humor and obvious love of life aside, at any given moment, he is liable to delve into an eclectic collection of impressions and morph into Keith Richards, Spinal Tap's Nigel Tufnel or one of several male characters on Seth MacFarlane's animated series "Family Guy."
  
  But first and foremost, he is a bluesman and he and his band, Primal Groove, will be performing Friday and Saturday night in downtown Midland at The Bar.
  
  Click here to find out more!
  Andy Macintyre and Primal Groove (AMPG) is a blues-based, rock power trio whose influences - which include Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Collins and Eric Clapton - are obvious from the opening note. But it's also obvious Macintyre is looking to forge his own brand of music.
  
  Macintyre promises those who come out to one of AMPG's shows will not be disappointed. "The show is always explosive. We're a high energy, power blues, rock 'n' roll band. It's just three guys just banging out music."
  
  Those guys include the rhythm section, which is Steve Hill on bass and the band's newest member, Brannan Lane, on drums. Keeping a drummer who is both steady on the beat and steady on the job has not always been easy for Primal Groove.
  
  "We always have a slight, rotating door of drummers. In Austin, it's very difficult to keep drummers because drummers kind of like to play in five or 10 different bands all at once. But (Hill) and I have been going at this for going on three years now."
  
  Not that any of the band's drummers have spontaneously combusted or suffered from some kind of bizarre gardening accident a la Spinal tap, but Macintyre couldn't resist quoting one of the film's memorable moments regarding the death of a drummer.
  
  "I mean, he basically just sort of spontaneously combusted. It wasn't really a stain, it was more like a small little globule where the drummer used to be."
  
  Macintyre was raised in Chicago, a city known for its own brand of blues, where he first developed his interest in music and playing the guitar. He said he was about 10 when he picked up a guitar and although he was left-handed, his dad insisted he play right-handed because that particular guitar was designed for right-handers. He grew frustrated and quit trying.
  
  After a couple of years, the allure eventually lured him back, so made the adjustment, got hooked, got his own guitar and became determined to teach himself how to master the instrument.
  
  "From the time I was about 13 until 18, I probably played 6 hours every day. The studies sort of suffered for it, but I definitely knew what I wanted to do after school.
  
  "There were two albums I learned front to back. The first was Nirvana's 'Nevermind,' and then I went to the Rolling Stones' 'Sticky Fingers' and learned every song there. That was my first introduction into rock and then I went backwards and started learning all this blues stuff."
  
  He was 17 when his father, who had been commuting between the Windy City and Austin for about 18 months, asked his family if they wanted to move to Texas.
  
  Although it meant having to spend his senior year in a new high school, Macintyre had no reservations. The cold weather had taken its toll.
  
  "Absolutely! Let's go. I can't stand this anymore," he remembers telling his dad.
  
  It was in Austin that Macintyre developed his love of the blues.
  
  "Being around a lot of really great blues players like Gary Clark (Jr.) and Alan Haynes and Jimmie Vaughn made me such a better rock player. When studying all those blues things, you go 'Wow, (rock 'n' roll) really did come from that.'"
  
  He has other musical tastes as well, though, and really admires performers - especially Prince and Clint Black - who not only have mastered several instruments but also possess a strong stage presence.
  
  The recent death of Michael Jackson also reminded him of the impact his music had.
  
  "I used to take a lot of guff for saying 'Thriller' is excellent and 'Bad' is pretty cool and the 'Moonwalker' video is awesome. People used to say 'what's wrong with you?' but when he passed away, they all went 'wow, dude, you're totally right.'"
  
  Offstage, Macintyre is in a committed relationship and enjoys being the father figure to his girlfriend's daughter from a previous marriage. He also enjoys an occasional round of bowling and watching "Family Guy."
  
  "I know it's the most messianic, irreverent show out there, but there actually is a somewhat implied message in there. I think it's just a giant social commentary on Americans."
  
  Macintyre then went into an unprintable but most impressive scene from the series in which he played several characters, including Glenn Quagmire, Cleveland Brown and Joe Swanson. Perhaps audiences at his live shows can coax him into recreating it.
  
  What fans can expect at the live show are performances from the 2007 "Set Me Free" CD. Macintyre also promises to offer a preview of his new material, which he expects to release on CD sometime in October.
  
  "I'm really, really excited about this second album. For people into the music and who have the first album, I think they're going to hear a lot of improvements. It's a whole different beast altogether."
  
  On The Net:
  
  AMPG Web site:
  
  http://www.andymacintyre.com/
  
  On MySpace:
  
  http://www.myspace.com/andymacintyre
  
  Nancy Adamson can be reached at nadamson@mrt.com
  
  Read more: http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/08/08/entertainment/top_stories/andy_macintyre.txt##ixzz0NkOqd9Of
  

• Andy Macintyre and Primal Groove to perform at Bodega's [+ Show ]
  

  Andy Macintyre and Primal Groove to perform at Bodega's Standing out among the multitude of music...Andy Macintyre and Primal Groove to perform at Bodega's
  
  Standing out among the multitude of musicians in Austin can be frustrating.
  
  But Andy Macintyre and the Primal Groove find inspiration from their experiences exploring the state capital's music culture.
  
  "Living and playing in Austin is an influence in itself," Macintyre said. "We've been able to meet and work with so many great musicians."
  
  The band will bring its sound — a unique fusion of rock and blues — to Amarillo for the first time this weekend.
  
  "Our influences range from classic rock, old prison blues to post-modern funk and psychedelia," Macintyre said.
  
  The concert is set at 9 p.m. Saturday at Bodega's, 709 S. Polk St.
  
  Andy is set to release his sophomore album this summer. Its debut, "Set Me Free," released in 2007.
  
  "This new album is more focused thematically," Macintyre said.
  
  "The sound has changed from the first one, but it doesn't desert the listener. The song structures are stronger and they make for a better overall record."
  
  The band has been performing about half of the yet-to-be-named new album during shows for the past 6 months.
  
  The new tracks are proving to be popular among crowds who want an energetic evening of entertainment, Macintyre said.
  
  "Our concerts are a time for people to cut loose a little bit and definitely get into the music," he said. "We hope it's always a positive experience."

• Fan Review [+ Show ]
  

  "If you like listening to badass Stratocaster/Marshall chops [Set Me Free] is for you. Nothing like ..."If you like listening to badass Stratocaster/Marshall chops [Set Me Free] is for you. Nothing like the garbage you hear on the radio - this is original blues-driven rock. And the songwriting, lyrics, composition plus the vocals is the total package."
  -5-star rating, CD Baby review

• Insite Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "From the first moments of the opening instrumental track ‘Cockroach’, it’s clear that Andy Macintyr..."From the first moments of the opening instrumental track ‘Cockroach’, it’s clear that Andy Macintyre plays a mean guitar - a virtuosic blend of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn riffs, enveloped in a rockin’ blues groove. It’s a sound that’s become synonymous with Texas Rock and Austin’s Sixth Street, in particular. The second tune (and title of the CD) ‘Set Me Free’, showcases Andy’s voice (which is fairly strong) and his original lyrics (familiar but catchy) quite effectively and probably has the best shot at some airplay....‘Barnyard Bill’ will have you looking around for some shit to kick!...I’m so impressed by Andy’s obvious talent."
  
  

• My Fox Austin (Fox 7 News) [+ Show ]
  

  AUSTIN -- Performance by Andy MacIntyre & The Primal Groove on the FOX 7 News Edge Morning Show. ...AUSTIN -- Performance by Andy MacIntyre & The Primal Groove on the FOX 7 News Edge Morning Show.
  sorry... this link is no longer available
  

• KPFT Howlin' The Blues Interview [+ Show ]
  

  Interview of Andy Macintyre on KPFT's Howlin' The Blues radio show from 8/19/2007. MP3 of interview... Interview of Andy Macintyre on KPFT's Howlin' The Blues radio show from 8/19/2007. MP3 of interview available upon request.

Setlist

Andy Macintyre shows typically range from 2 to 4 hours in length, with a mix of originals and covers.
Cover songs include several rock and blues artists from The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Elmore James and Albert Collins, to Prince.

Basic Requirements

Calendar