The Early Days
by  ShutterMan

Danny called by to see the Shutter Man a few days after his return home from the summer Wildhearts tour. Maan! he was fired from a very early stage to get back on board and prove to himself and any doubters that he could bounce back and bigger and stronger than ever. With friends and family and huge amount of willpower Danny was turning a corner and thinking creatively straight away. 'We're gonna do a band!!'  'You wanna do a band Danny?... OK we do band'.

Neil Chaser teams up with Danny and other local geezers Bucky and Andy Drum. Good four piece... 10 days in and out of the studio in Shields sees 'Stick Around', 'Life Goes That Way' and 'Good Company' recorded and mixed for the Onwards and Upwards EP... along with its spoken word dialogue... 
"Who'll make that music?" "Danny... Danny McCormack", "When will this be?" "When the time is right" she said...."Stick Around."

Andy Drum moves on at an early stage... not gonna work out... temporary drummer Gary Buckingham comes on board.... but rehearsal and studio for Bucky junior only.

Meanwhile ShutterMan starts working with ex Dogs D’Amour, Ian Hunter Band, Dan Baird Band, Sabre Jet type geezer called Darrell Bath. Darrell... get yer album sorted... shit - done already... you wanna join the best band about to blast out of Geordieland in years Darrell? OK... get in the rehearsal room... sparks fly... good tunes... Flying, Tattoo, Good Company, Stick Around... Darrell's on board as a Chaser.

A few late night artwork sessions and a great photo shoot on a sea pier in a fairground and in Tyneside industrial riverside... sees a mood and a team developing. Watch for some good shots of the Chasers and exceptional photos of Darrell for his solo work... something still missing... no drummer. Tom Holmes... great shots.

Three weeks later with Darrell finishing his last commitments with Dan Baird in Europe, drummers travel North to try out for The Chasers... Bonfire night..."Fireworks with Johnny" at the Shoebox International Arena.

The Cheesmekers surprise all with a great set and everyone gets ready for Johnny Zhivago... hang on that's not JZ next to Tun... its Danny... with his bass.

" Hello... tonight playing a short set... we have on vocals and bass... Danny MCormack" crowd goes mental "on geeetar and vocals... Neil Chaser" and on drummmmmms tonight introducing The Chasers brand new drummer... Mr  Mark "Mayhem" Mayhew... playing live after only one 2 hour rehersal". Mark shone despite blowing fuses on the PA as he nervously climbed into his drumming position... Mark Mayhem tag was issued... but boy did he drum.

The Chasers blasted out 'Stick Around' and the place was buzzin' straight away. Certainly no official gig but nobody was in doubt who was up there playin'. The crowd twitched and jostled for the best photo positions... shit if this whats goin' down with three band members and Mayhem only two hours in... whooaa... Stick Around, You Puttin Me Down, Flying (strong mid paced ballad) and Tattoo... great applause and extra for Mayhem.

Metal Hammer interview next and soon the return of Mayhem and Darrel from London... full on rehearsals ready for The Chasers first official gig at The Cellar Club, South Shields on the 27th November. Changes One Label Showcase with The Cheesemakers and Tracie Hunter Band... early days... not much yet... but shitloads more to come... don't be surprised to see The Chasers crankin' it on the bill along with B Movies, Bubble (-; , Black Halos, Cheesemakers, Nutrajet, Psycho a Go Go, Johnny Zhivago, Anti Product, Tyla   and alongside anyone who can "Walk like a Motherfucker"...

You wanna see and hear more... "Stick Around"

ShutterMan