VIRGIL
MCMAHON is without doubt the finest young player to emerge in the UK for a
good many years. Emulating his father when just 5 years of age, he picked up
a mandolin and began to strum chords. From that day forward a guitar has
never left his side and he would often be seen on balmy Friday nights
running around helping his Father set up his stage gear at The Radium Beer
Hall, South Africa, where he would play his blues to an appreciative
audience.
By age 9 Virgil was absorbing his
influences with frightening ease; Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top
amongst others were soon emanating from his guitar. At 12 years of age he
was invited to jam with the great bluesman Otis Grand, an evening that
earned him his first standing ovation.
The following few years saw Virgil playing
at local gigs and festivals in and around his new home in Wales. It was
widely agreed that something very special was being witnessed. Virgil
decided to form a young and vibrant band thus avoiding the mistake a lot of
young players make, that of surrounding themselves with a group of more
seasoned professionals.
Young brother GABRIEL (at the time an
unbeaten amateur boxer) was recruited to play drums along with a local bass
player. VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS were unveiled at the prestigious West
Midlands venue, Robin 2 in Wolverhampton where they immediately established
a rapport with the knowledgeable crowd.
In 2009 came a big break when playing at
The Anchor in London, one of many venues promoted by club guru Pete
Feenstra. This connection led to the band being taken on by The Rhino Agency
and subsequently joining Joanne Shaw Taylor and Oli Brown on the sell out
“New Generation Blues Tour” and enjoying main stage performances at major
festivals around the UK.
At just 18yrs old, lead guitarist of Virgil
and the Accelerators, Virgil McMahon, became the youngest person short
listed in the 2010 British Blues Awards.
During the past year Virgil and his 17yr
old brother Gabriel on drums have toured extensively in the UK and Northern
Europe, ending the year playing in front of a combined audience of over
5,000 fans enjoying two fantastic performances with Joanne Shaw Taylor in
support of Black Country Communion at London Shepherds Bush Empire and
Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Virgil & The Accelerators now feature the
talents of 21yr old Bassist Jack Timmis the final cog that completes a unit
so full of energy and power that audiences are left simply breathless.
Virgil has astonishing Fretboard skills, a Vibrato that is a National
treasure, and is a true feel player delivering jaw dropping solos. Together
with Gabriel’s powerhouse drumming and Jack’s solid bass lines, the result
is a band which has been likened to a new “Cream”. Virgil and his exciting
band have a clear understanding of dynamics and the rare ability to get
inside a song, turn it inside out and then back again – a talent that brings
a standing ovation at every show.
Virgil & The Accelerators signed to Mystic
Records, recording their all-original debut album entitled “THE RADIUM”
which is to be released 26th September and backed up with a full UK tour.