The band has come a long way, but the last six months have really been a roller coaster ride for Neeson and company. They’ve gone from being relative unknowns to being the most talked about Blues/Rock band since the Black Crowes emergence on the scene in 1989.
“The band’s been together six years, and we’ve worked really hard in that time,” states Neeson. “But we got our record deal about a year and a half ago, and things have really kicked off from there.”
The band has obviously proven their abilities through their performances, both in the studio and on the road. When asked if he has a preference between playing live and the studio, Neeson pauses, weighing them both up in his mind.
“I find that the two act as antidotes to each other. Ultimately, we’re a live touring band, and we love being on the road. But at the end of three or four months touring, it’s nice to get into the studio, just for a change and a bit of normality.”
The Answer has been on their current headlining tour since the beginning of October and have met with enthusiastic audiences all over the country. “We’ve done three gigs so far on this tour, all of them sold out,” states Neeson proudly, “It’s quite gratifying to finally see the fruits of our labors.”
Having supported a variety of musical legends, The Answer are now making a steady move to step out from the shadows of their heroes and are rapidly building a dedicated fanbase throughout the U.K.
“It’s important you don’t get labeled as the eternal support band. It’s important to get out there and do your own shows, and that’s what tours like this are all about. Plus it’s a great feeling knowing the crowd came down to see you and not the band that’s on after you.”
The band has remained humble and true to their roots throughout their rise, and Neeson cites his proudest moment and a highlight in the career of the band as a recent gig in Belfast.
“It was essentially a homecoming for the band; that’s where it all started for us. So to get back to Belfast, and see faces that have been with you from the start, and then latch on to the hundreds more people who’ve come down to see us, it was just a really nice experience.”
Article comments
1 - Joan Hunt
Sounds like I need to look into this band! I always enjoy discovering something new on the blues rock front.
2 - Connie Phillips
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3 - Connie Phillips
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