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Spotlight on... Mr. Blackwell Article by Andrew Smith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chuga-chug-chug-chug....Chuga-chug-chug-chug.... CHUGA CHUGA CHUGA CHUGA Hear that sound?..... Head to the bottom for RealAudio--Listen while you read... Formed in 1994 in Dunn, a small town a few miles outside of Raleigh, N.C., the members of Mr. Blackwell have been making a name for themselves through energetic live showings and self-production of two extremely promising CDs. They stand as one of North Carolina's finest uncovered gems, and move ever closer to the edge of breakthrough and worldwide acknowledgment--despite working on their own for everything they've achieved so far, with little to no commercial support. Consisting of Warren Gary on lead vocals, Marc Anthony on drums, Bill Jackson on bass, and Micheal Moore and Bill Barbour forging a caustic twin guitar attack, I had the pleasure to see the band play at a recent show. However, that's just not enough. What about fleshing out what drives a band, what keeps them ever moving forward? That, my friends, takes a closer look... Having gone to school together, the band members feel very lucky to have known each other for an extended period of time, and other than a couple of brief--and excused--leaves of absences by bassist Jackson, there have been no lineup changes. Taking care of personal business, Jackson is not currently with the band. Filling in for him is ex-Hellhound Trail thumper Brian Herring, whose moves and attitude fits in well. No matter who the fifth man may be, there's a definite feeling of unity when watching the group on stage. The songs flow, and the timing and precision is flawless. And through it all, a trademark sound is beginning to form. I was able to catch up with Warren, Bill, Michael, and Brian before the show, to find out what makes the Blackwell machine move Taste of the big time... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It was sort of a surprise, to tell you the truth," Michael says. "A radio station up here was running a contest to determine the opening band for Queensryche, and somehow got ahold of one of our tapes." "106.1," chimes in Bill. "And they're mostly classic rock!" "That's the wild part," Michael exclaims. "I'm surprised they picked us--but real glad they did!" So just how does it feel, going from sweaty clubs packed with bodies, beer, and smoke, with five guys sharing a stage meant for two or three---to one of the South's biggest and most prestigious venues--Hardee's Walnut Creek Amphitheater? "I was in awe," Michael says. "But we were ready. We felt confident." "Bill (Jackson) wasn't there," Warren says, "which would have made it perfect. Still, it felt like we were kings for a day. The guys from Queensryche were total class acts, and it was also a chance for us to see what a real professional setup was like." - Andrew Smith
The band has been asked to play there first show after taking time off to regroup in 2009. Big National Event. Sharing the stage with signed artist, and bands such as... www.freedombikefest.com
- www.freedombikefest.com
Marc Anthony original member of Mr.Blackwell leaves band in 95 and joins up with local band The Fifth, and completes the package deal for the band to get signed to Universal Records.
- local
Metal Review
ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM :: Hard Rock BandsMay 6, 2008 ... BUNY :: Hard rock band. Burn Guitars :: Hard rock band. .... Mr. Blackwell :: No-frills, chunky hard rock from North Carolina. ... - www.rockbandlounge.com/hard-rock.asp
Discography
Albums: Mr Blackwell, Burn, Soulman, Tribe
Photos
Bio
Mr.Blackwell was formed in 1994 from Warren Gary, Micheal Moore, Bill Jackson, Marc Anthony, and Bill Barbour. The band got the name from one of their influences KISS. KISS has a song "Mr.Blackwell" from the Album Music for the Elder. After producing their first album, the band had radio play and even charted 42 on the Gavin Rock Chart. Along the years the band has changed members,but still have two founding members Mike,and Bill Jackson in the band. The band has shared the stage in many clubs, theatres, arenas, and amphitheatres with national acts such asE Queensrÿche, Andrew W.K.,Silver Tide, Life of Agony, ADEMA, Machine Head, Sex, Love, and Money, Dope, Fear Factory, Souls at Zero (former members of Wrathchild America), Saigon Kick, Dokken, Stuck Mojo, Corrosion of Conformity, Clutch, Powerman 5000, Fireball Ministry, Limp Bizkit, and many more. Mr. Blackwell has played to crowds of 11,000 people with Queensrÿche on their Hear in the Now Frontier tour. Mr.Blackwells music is a in your face combination of heavy rhythms, southern blend, catchy hooks, precise harmonies and vocal melodies that will burn into your mind like a bad memory. Mr.Blackwells style ranges from each and every kind of music and musician the band has toured with and learned from. Take all you get, turn it upside down and twist it inside out and youll get Mr.Blackwell. Its easy to see why the melodies catch you and draw you in. The music and lyrics are meaningful and delivered with conviction and intense energy accompanied by pounding bass lines and drum work that fits each song like a fitted glove. The dueling guitars bring everything together into a harmonious assembly that will leave you wanting to listen over and over again. This is a band that has proven they can take stage with any national and hold their own thus creating the reputation they have earned and gained!
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