McKINNEY - Biography

When feisty, raven-haired singer Marc Ash and multi-talented musician Mike Simii met in 2002, they were on completely the same plane in both senses of the word. Sat next to each other on a flight to New York, the two Mancunians quickly discovered that they had much in common - owning the same records, housing the same burning ambitions and driven by the same dark musical forces. Swapping mobile numbers and vowing to hook up at a later date, little did either of them know that their chance meeting was the start of something very special.

Back in Britain a few weeks later, Ash and Simii met up as previously agreed. Starting to write songs and collate ideas, the pair realised that the other was the missing link in both of their lives - there was a shared mentality that verged on telepathy. The songs produced during these initial sessions housed the vocal stylings and tune sensibility of early Blondie, with knowing winks to Siouxsie And The Banshees and Gang Of Four. Sensing they were on to something big, mates Danny P (rhythm guitar) and Richy Thorn (bass) were swift to join the team.

Whilst rehearsing in a Nottingham studio a few weeks later, Ash and Simii were gatecrashed by an obnoxious, spiky-haired, punk answering only to Zero. Awed by his raucous, guitar-slinging talent, over copious beers he was invited to come and rehearse with the rest of the band the following day. It soon became obvious that the lead guitarist was the final piece in the jigsaw. McKinney was born.

This final addition to the line-up caused more than a few problems for manic depressive singer Marc Ash, however. Within hours of the first rehearsal there was a monumental clash of egos. A series of thunderous shouting matches erupted, furniture was thrown and the pair had to be physically separated. However, Zero’ s musical compatibility with the band was undeniable. Upon joining full time he moved in with Danny and Richy and agreed to put his differences with Ash to one side for the good of the band. However, as anyone who’s witnessed the McKinney live experience will attest, ther’s a tension between the pair that still occasionally spills over - with explosive results.

In summer 2003 McKinney disappeared to Manchester to finally record the tunes penned by the Ash/Simii songwriting partnership. The sessions proved extremely fruitful, with the band producing a clutch of ballsy, fuzzy, pop-rock tracks - each with a razor-sharp edge. These songs have gone on to form the basis of their debut album ‘Me Me Me’. And it rocks. Loads. The floodgates open with the slinky pop flourishes of ‘Mess It Up’, followed by a swirling, stargazing pop-rock gem in the form of ‘Everyday’. Meanwhile in ‘Surreal’ the band have a bona-fide rock-anthem in waiting, full of screeching BRMC-esque guitars, pounding drums and seductive vocals. As Rick Martin of the NME put it: ‘in 2004, no-one will matter more’. On hearing these tunes, you’ll have no choice but to wholeheartedly agree.

For more info, please call Rosie Wilby at Piranha PR on 020 8299 1928; rosie@piranha-pr.co.uk

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