Never being ones to be afraid to challenge geographical boundaries, Fiona Marshall uncovers a hidden gem, in Barkin Mad, from Lossiemouth, whilst giving a passionate plea for people in the are to support local music.
Barkin Mad are a duo from Lossiemouth. Vocalist Paul “Woody” Wood and guitarist Gary Steven Watt were in the 5 piece rock band of the same name 17 years ago but after a couple of years the band split up. Paul and Gary decided to reform as a duo just over a year ago after Gary had been teaching Paul’s son guitar. Prior to this Paul had been playing in another duo Hard to Handle.
They play pop, rock and some metal covers, such as Kings of Leon, Metallica, Bon Jovi with a few of Gary’s personal material included from his solo project GSW. Gary is not only a talented guitarist but a guitar teacher and composer who has been playing for over 30 years. His solo project is instrumental rock guitar and he takes his influences from some of rocks finest musicians such as Yngwee Malmsteem, Joe Satriani and Richie Blackmore. Gary’s new EP “Heartfelt” will be available soon. The title track of the EP is a beautiful melodic song which is very relaxing and is great to chill to with a glass of wine and the lights low. Whilst the way the guitar serenades you in “ Broken” is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. If you like melodic rock guitar you will not be disappointed. You can hear this and a lot more material on Gary’s Facebook page.
So for those of you in Moray I urge you to go and see these guys and support your local music scene. People often complain that there is nothing to do, nowhere to go and that there is no live music scene in Moray. Well the truth of the matter is there is a music scene but unfortunately very little numbers turn up at these gigs and performers get despondent. We need to embellish and support what is around before more acts will follow suit and the music scene can be encouraged and enlarged in this area. So before the music acts we do have reluctantly do indeed die out from not enough support, please get yourself to a local gig soon.
Barkin Mad can be found playing at the following gigs:
27th October – Silver Sands, Lossiemouth
30th November – Downtown USA, Elgin
15th December – The Clifton, Lossiemouth
31st December – Silver Sands, Lossiemouth
