Maydaze was created in the Spring of 2006, the inspiration being to write original songs and perform them, along with covers that people would also enjoy listening to, ranging from Broadway classics to Motown, Dylan to Carol King and 60's favourites to sing along to.
We have played at local gigs: The Chaos Acoustic Club, The Rainbow, The Roadhouse, The Tower of Song and done a few of the Summer festivals like Moseley, B91, and you may see us again at Cocomad. We're hoping to do more 'coz we like the fresh outdoors!!
Not that we didn't enjoy performing at the cozy Crescent Theatre in Birmingham, for the 'The New Grey Whistle Test' - especially as it was Wintertime!! Anyway, we just hope that 2008 is going to be great for lots of gigs and lots of people enjoying them.
Guess it's time to tell you about us as the individuals we are -
Shy and retiring Catherine (with her unpredictable moments of madness) has Mick O'Brian (The Cosmic Gypsies) to thank for helping her to find her voice by giving her a microphone to sing into during an evening with friends at his place and hasn't looked back as they say.
She performed in his band and then found herself in Davy's bedroom (!) giving vocal imput for his recordings on 'Hyndsight.' After jumping on stage while 'The Junies'* were performing and accompanying them on an African drum that happened to be there, she joined them too, offering harmonies and taking to playing bongoes, which was also new to her!! *Pete and Baz were in the same band as Davy - Flaming June - and she was allowed to play bongoes with them on her birthday (Mayday) - the sweat poured from every pore - needless to say she hasn't played with a rock band since, prefering to perspire instead!!
She has written a few songs in the past but has written more of late.
Johnny B graduated at the Roger Hill School of Guitar. He was guitar technician for Ocean Colour Scene for a few months before becoming the other half of the resident instrumental duo with Darren Cole. He then started the Tuesday Song Circle at The Coach Balsall Heath with the since departed and sadly missed Keith (nickname Muff, sometimes known as Frank Snape,and very occaisionaly Barrington- Smythe) Methvin, who also played with Davy,and The Chaos Acoustic Clubs Pete Reeve - small world eh? before also starting That Thursday Thing at The Roadhouse, which is still going strong. His dynamic and positive enthusiasm is a welcome addition to Maydaze - our first gig with John was actually at the psychiatric hospital where he works - mad or what? Thanks to his lady Sandra for taking our pics!
Davy arrived from Belfast on the night that Bill Hayley made No 1. He didn't know it at the time because he was only six!!! Shortly after that his Mother took him and his brother to their very first pantomine, which was Jack and the Beanstalk...They were sitting in the cheap seats in the top circle when the lights went down and the orchestra struck their first chords. It was at that moment he fell in love with live music and has not been able to get it out of his head ever since! I won't tell you much more about Davy but those who want to know can check out his pics from past bands- you never know, you might have been there! He was a dedicated drummer before becoming an equally dedicated strummer of some right lovely melodies, as well as some seriously good lyrics. What a clever lad!!!! We make a great team, us Maydaze....
