Steeped in the traditions of rockers and searing ‘bluessmiths’ of eras past, the Mike MacKenzie band is a Calgary-based four piece rapidly making Cochrane’s BullHorn Saloon one of their favourite stomping grounds.
Performing at the local establishment again March 29, the rockin’-blues band is on the verge of releasing their debut full-length release later this spring.
“It’s a pretty equal mixture of blues and rock,” said frontman, guitarist and songwriter Mike MacKenzie, adding that the album is moving into the final stages of mixing and mastering at the Calgary-based studio it was recorded at – The Station Recording Co., with producer Spencer Cheyne.
“I like to capture a solid sound and tone from my guitar and amp,” he explained, adding that he veered away from an overproduced sound, while incorporating some of the effects and a wide range of sounds.
MacKenzie released a self-produced three-track ‘teaser’ EP in 2013, to give audiences a taste of what’s to come on the 11-track debut.
“I was one of those stubborn musicians who wanted five or six terms associated with my music — but ‘progressive blues-rock’ works.”
MacKenzie’s own guitar playing takes bits and pieces from the likes of classic rock sounds carved out by bands like Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath, as well as blues musicians such as slide player Derek Trucks and Texas blues icon, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Memphis blues giant, the late Albert King, among others.
“What comes more naturally to me is the guitar stuff,” admits the 26 year old.
“Vocals came out of necessity…the challenge is not so much in the writing side of things, but the coordination between the guitar and my vocals and making sure one isn’t slacking.”
MacKenzie said his main guitar is his Gibson Les Paul for its ‘well-rounded attributes’.
The current line up of musicians includes Tom Hart on bass, Erik Smistad on keyboards and James Wise on drums — a collective that MacKenzie refers to as “all really, really good musicians”.
With a focus on ‘diversity and dynamics’, MacKenzie — who also plays guitar in the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, Swamp Music, as a sideman in a variety of other projects and works as a full-time guitar teacher — said his band has been picking up steam and building their Calgary fan base, as well as performing more shows outside of the city limits and even in B.C.
The band is a regular at Calgary venues such as Hexter’s Pub, Morgan’s Pub, Mikey’s Juke Joint and The Unicorn, among others.
With more than 100 originals and covers in the vault, those milling in to the Bullhorn can anticipate a mix of new and old, layered on a foundation of searing guitar and a heavy bottom end.
Learn more at mikemackenzie.ca
