Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
- stevejamsecono
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Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
I've been down the rabbit-hole of the Banshees again for the 900th time in my life (there are truly so many nooks and crannies to enjoy) and I have to say -- I think John McKay's work on the first two records is up there for me with the prime McGeoch years. Love the high priest of the Yamaha SG and think he's rightfully the 'definitive' Banshees guitarist for most, but McKay really brought some unconventional chops to the table and his searing Les Paul/Fender Twin sound and early adoption of the MXR Flanger seemed to really set the tone for post punk to follow. It just sounds rad and alien and awesome. Definitely as much an influence on my playing (and admittedly easier to cop) than McGeoch's licks.
Anyone else dig him?
Anyone else dig him?
And you find out life isn't like that
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam
Resident Yamaha Fanboy
COYS
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam
Resident Yamaha Fanboy
COYS
- elektrovac
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
I second every word you say here. Big love for McKay!
I basically learned the electric guitar by playing along to The Scream back in 1985 at age 16. So he's a major influence.
Did you listen to the version of Playground Twist from the BBC compilation? Amazing playing and perfect flanger sounds on that one (fantastic drumming too - just a great track).
I basically learned the electric guitar by playing along to The Scream back in 1985 at age 16. So he's a major influence.
Did you listen to the version of Playground Twist from the BBC compilation? Amazing playing and perfect flanger sounds on that one (fantastic drumming too - just a great track).
- UlricvonCatalyst
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
Been a fan since I bought the Hong Kong Garden 7" and was blown away by its other-wordly B-side Voices.
Hadn't really considered it, but yeah, his guitar sound probably defined post-punk. (David Shadowplay might know better, of course, but he doesn't seem to come here any more.)
Hadn't really considered it, but yeah, his guitar sound probably defined post-punk. (David Shadowplay might know better, of course, but he doesn't seem to come here any more.)
- FrankRay
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
Thirded.
Love Overground, Switch, Hong Kong Garden, Placebo Effect and Icons as much as anything later.
I think by the third album Severin was writing most of the music and McGeogh was basically decorating the songs, adding colour. With the earlier stuff McKay was writing the tunes so his playing is much more structural. His approach is quite different.
Either way they’re both great.
Love Overground, Switch, Hong Kong Garden, Placebo Effect and Icons as much as anything later.
I think by the third album Severin was writing most of the music and McGeogh was basically decorating the songs, adding colour. With the earlier stuff McKay was writing the tunes so his playing is much more structural. His approach is quite different.
Either way they’re both great.
- stevejamsecono
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
I'll have to check it out! I just got the Peel Sessions album and I'm pretty sure it's the same version on there.elektrovac wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:23 pmI second every word you say here. Big love for McKay!
I basically learned the electric guitar by playing along to The Scream back in 1985 at age 16. So he's a major influence.
Did you listen to the version of Playground Twist from the BBC compilation? Amazing playing and perfect flanger sounds on that one (fantastic drumming too - just a great track).
Agreed, yeah. Him and Morris seemed to give the music a real teutonic weight to it. Someone recently described his playing as sounding more like film soundtrack elements (i.e. the violins in psycho) and I have to agree. It's really cool and I can only imagine how wild it was at the time when it was still a fresh idea.FrankRay wrote: ↑Wed Dec 15, 2021 1:40 amThirded.
Love Overground, Switch, Hong Kong Garden, Placebo Effect and Icons as much as anything later.
I think by the third album Severin was writing most of the music and McGeogh was basically decorating the songs, adding colour. With the earlier stuff McKay was writing the tunes so his playing is much more structural. His approach is quite different.
Either way they’re both great.
And you find out life isn't like that
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam
Resident Yamaha Fanboy
COYS
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam
Resident Yamaha Fanboy
COYS
- elektrovac
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
Does anybody know what John McKay went on to do in his life, post the Banshees? The wikipedia article does really tell anything ...
- UlricvonCatalyst
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
To paraphrase: Discogs is your friend.elektrovac wrote: ↑Wed Dec 15, 2021 6:26 amDoes anybody know what John McKay went on to do in his life, post the Banshees? The wikipedia article does really tell anything ...
- UlricvonCatalyst
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
Looks like the short answer is not much (that is known about).
- FrankRay
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
His only post-banshees single which is fairly excellent, actually. Sounds like a track from Join Hands. I think the singer is his wife.
As far as I know he left the music business and works in fashion in London now. He was always pretty stylish.
As far as I know he left the music business and works in fashion in London now. He was always pretty stylish.
- Plumerai
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
There's a program called something like punk family tree that features the Banshees. It includes an interview with McKay talking about running into Siouxsie & Budgie.
- cestlamort
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Re: Tip of the hat to John McKay (S + the Banshees)
Not sure of the various versions, but the At the BBC box set is amazing, and I like it more than the respective studio albums. (Admittedly, I was very casual in my relationship with them back in the day, and really dove into Ms. Cestlamort's At the BBC and B-Sides boxsets over the last few years).stevejamsecono wrote: ↑Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:22 amI'll have to check it out! I just got the Peel Sessions album and I'm pretty sure it's the same version on there.elektrovac wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:23 pmI second every word you say here. Big love for McKay!
I basically learned the electric guitar by playing along to The Scream back in 1985 at age 16. So he's a major influence.
Did you listen to the version of Playground Twist from the BBC compilation? Amazing playing and perfect flanger sounds on that one (fantastic drumming too - just a great track).