Mad Dog McRea plus Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs, Exeter Phoenix, Saturday 17th March, 8pm
With a fresh six piece and three albums, Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music into their ever bubbling cauldron of kaleidoscopic orchestrations.
From self penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life to traditional anecdotes referring to gypsies, fairies, legless pirates, black flies and wise old jungle bears the band bring you on an engaging yet sometimes obscure lyrical journey.
Mad Dog Mcrea never fail to capture the complete attention of their audience with their infectious songs.
With their increasingly lively and spontaneous performances the band are acclaimed, not only for their music but for the off stage antics that seems to surround them.
One such story, which has become local folklore in Donegal, Ireland saw the Mad Dogs under the influence of the local moonshine, returning from a festival in the dead of night on their newly refurbished and very plush tour bus. Confused and very lost they decided to park their large bus off-road on a nearby beach.
Parking very close to the water’s edge they continued to party inside the bus until the little hours blissfully unaware of the rapidly rising Atlantic tide. The bus began to sink in the sand as the ocean quickly engulfed the inside of the bus. Realising their predicament the band proceeded to vacate the bus and swim to safety.
As the bus disappeared under the Atlantic waves the drenched and dazzled band could only look on as their equipment and instruments sunk into the depths of Davy Jones’ locker. All was lost that night except a vague memory of the incident, the hats on their heads and the music…
“Musical magicians Mad Dog Mcrea are synonymous not only with a damn good party but also quality musicianship and the odd surprise” – Talk Torbay
“A sound mixed, mashed and finely honed through years of live gigs” – Rock ‘n Reel Magazine
Visit the Mad Dog Mcrea website, of find them on MySpace, Facebook and YouTube.
With support from festival favourites Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs.
Tickets cost £10 in advance and are available from the Exeter Phoenix box office Phone: 01392 667080. Or online at Midnight Mango. Booking fees may apply.
The gig takes place at Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS
Doors 8pm (Standing Show).