MacINtyre

Please click on the link to see full interview and pictures. - Rockstar Magazine

The URL box wouldn't take my link to the blog, please see it here:

http://blues.gr/m/blogpost?id=1982923%3ABlogPost%3A226386

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

Ultimately, I learned the 5 main genre/styles of modern Music are all derived from the Western scale. What separates those genres is the way the scale is played and felt. It’s all the same thing...just organized differently. The Blues is actually incredibly angular and funky. I think that’s why all walks of life are attracted to it. It’s fun, eerie, and mischievous at the same time.

How do you describe Andy Macintyre sound and songbook? What characterize your music philosophy?

People have described MacINtyre as, “Alternative Blues/Rock” and the reason being so it won’t be nailed down to just straight ahead Blues/Rock…or just Rock. I like to add different approaches into something everybody has heard before. There’s nothing wrong with inserting yourself into a song. My philosophy is: Accept yourself. After that, change what you feel needs to change to become a better artist. Oh, and don’t be afraid of constructive criticism. I think the music trumps all. That’s the important part. We need to go back to understanding music and educating people with it and putting it back into schools. Cultures speak through the universal language of Music. That’s beauty anyway you cut it.

What were the reasons that you started the Blues/Rock searches and experiments?

Because I’m always trying to be a better me...a better artist. I wanted to be a Rock guitar player in my teens, but somehow I knew to learn The Blues in order to understand where all the greats were coming from. They knew they wanted to say something special or different, so they searched for a way that meant something on any level they could find. In the end it doesn’t matter if its skin deep or to the ultimate depths, one has to feel it.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

Oh man...there’s been some pretty fortunate moments I’ve experience. A few years ago, I was looking for some Guitar pickups to buy on line at Austin Vintage Guitar Store (Owned by Steve Fulton, Leslie, and Bill Webb. I Love that place!) Steve was showing me some website and we were listening to samples over his computer. I pointed to one set I thought sounded good. Steve looked up and said, “Hey Jimmie! What’s happening?” Jimmie looked over my shoulder, overhearing the samples, and gave an affirmative nod, “yeah man, alright.” That was mind blowing, Jimmie Vaughan liked it. Crazy. Recently, I had Dale Watson advise me, “Keep going, son. Gotta Keep on playing that Guitar! Cheers.” So we had a few rounds together. Awesome dude.

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

My fondest memory as of right now is one of the recording and mixing of the newest MacINtyre release, ‘Live at The Moontower’. We were really on that night and it was recorded very well. It was just released 2 weeks ago. Doug Day on drums, Christopher Alexander on Bass, and recorded and mixed by Eric Harrison. It’s a really good album, mixing went smoothly with Eric, he's just very pro about everything...excellent ears. Oh! And Van Wilks sat in with us, that was so cool! Just over SXSW (Dirty Dog Bar), I opened for Tyrone Vaughan! That was a blast, A LOT of guitar that night. hahaha..Thanks, Ben!

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Ironically, I feel that the blues had a more consistent public attraction than it does now. This new ‘Pop’ world could use some more Soul and Blues in it, I feel. But then again its several positive steps forward with Gary Clark, Jr. around...and its nothing short of a miracle he’s where he is, that’s awesome! Someone once said that The Blues goes in and out of popularity, but it never leaves us. So I think that’s my answer. My hopes for the future for The Blues are what my hopes and fears are for Music in general: We can’t let the artistry that goes into it just curl up and die. Some of that is part of the industry and some of it is on us. This is a unique time for music because people were not intellectually prepared for the Mp3. It’s a really good thing that vinyl has made a comeback, it encourages the listener to be just that: A listener. I’m listening to some vinyl right now during this interview.

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

I may contradict myself here, but I’d like to see the CD regain the respect it once had. All in all, it’s still the most balanced approach for playback, accessibility, record industry folks, and the fans. It’s the one medium where we really got it right. But oh man, when we went wrong...it was dead wrong. I’d like to see better quality control on the loudness war because that can really ruin the sound of classic analog recordings...Yikes!

What are the lines that connect the legacy of Blues with Rolling Stones and continue to SRV and Nirvana?

Honesty. The same thing is always found in The Blues. Nirvana covered Huddie Ledbetter’s “In the Pines/Where’d you sleep last night?”...who would've called that one?? Talk about a risk! And guess what, it paid off. He should still be here; that is a loss that’s still being felt.

What is the Impact of Blues culture and culture to the racial and socio-cultural implications?

I think the music trumps all. That’s the important part. We need to go back to understanding music and educating people with it and putting it back into schools. Cultures speak through the universal language of Music. That’s beauty anyway you cut it.

What has made you laugh lately and what touched (emotionally) you from the local Texas blues circuits?

As conflicted a time it is for this state, it hasn’t completely lost its sense of community. It is still there...you have to search for it a bit more now. Appa Perry, whose played with damn near everyone (including Texas’ own Alan Haynes!) recently suffered a stroke that landed him in the hospital. The bills were mounting up, it was a scary time for him. Somebody came up with the brilliant idea of throwing together an Austin musician-powered benefit called, “The Appa-ning 4 Appa”. We all came together. Played for Appa, made music with him, donated time, money, music, and effort to getting him back on his feet. It was a great day for Appa. Pretty much everybody checked the ego at the door and participated for the right reasons. Just about everybody. Haha.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

Hmm...that’s a tough one...seeing how a trip into the future is a one way trip, I’d go into the past then. There’s way too many things to really pick from, so I’ll give a typical answer: 1972. Rolling Stones. Exile on Main St. tour. I’d see them on the Sunday show they played Texas. Midnight Rambler!! Yeah, that’d be something to experience! That way when I go back into the future, I’d be able to go home. Hey Thanks having for this interview! This was cool, I enjoyed it. - Blues.gr

Please click link to see full interview and pictures. - Paranoid Magazine

Andy Macintyre: Ruby- A bluesman with a bit of a rock edge best describes the album. Even though the blues run strong throughout the album, Macintyre doesn’t mind a little experimentation with various styles. Check out “Ruby” and “Jaliene.” Both tracks exemplify the strong songwriting that makes this album unique. - AustinDaze.com

ANDY MACINTYRE
Revolution
Some people seem born to be farmers,
teachers, engineers, and yes, even politicians.
But some are born to be musicians…
guitar slingers to be more precise,
and Andy MacIntyre is one of those people.
It’s a real challenge to sit down and
write a review of his latest project Revolution
because no matter what I come up
with in the form of carefully considered
criticism (and there’s several things that
deserve mentioning, to be sure), the fact
remains, I just can’t get enough of this
guy’s guitar playing. He may not be the
best songwriter (but he’s getting better all
the time…), and he may not have the most
distinctive voice (but he really moved me
with the front-porch-style acoustic cut,
‘109’, and actually made me cry with his
tender ‘4th of July’ tune). It’s also obvious
this guy practices…a lot. He’s fluid, versatile,
and gutsy – he never lets technique
trump what he wants to express. And did
I forget to mention, Andy can play really
fast as well (listen to his searing cover of
Freddie King’s ‘In the Open’). But he’s not
just showing off – every note has a purpose
and comes straight from the heart.
Its more like his guitar has so much to
say that he wants to fit it all in before the
song ends…and we get to go along for the
ride! WOW.
Focusing on some bothersome details:
the title of the album doesn’t work –
there’s nothing ‘revolutionary’ about the
style of the music (rockin’ Texas blues
w/ some impressive finger-picking), and
there’s certainly no sign of politics either.
Since the record does a great job of showcasing
Andy’s wide- ranging talents within
the genre he’s chosen, ‘In the Open’ might
have served better and tied into the cover
art more effectively (another provocative
design by Andrew Stearns).
The first track, ‘Makayla’ is beautifully
complex and compelling (a little too
compelling as an introduction to an artist
you may have never heard), and it’s poorly
mixed – the drums sound compressed and
thin. The up-tempo, straight ahead ‘Sing
Like A Bird’, or the catchy and heartfelt
‘Call My Name’ (which needs to be on the
radio, pronto!), would have worked better
as openers. There’s a real art to ordering
an album and this one seems to have gotten
jumbled up somehow. Since I’ve listened
to it dozens of times now, I came up
with another order: 4, 2, 7, 3, 1, 5, 9, 6, 8,
and burned a copy…it’s awesome!
The song ‘Revolution’ is actually one
of my favorites – a grinding, swampy,
downbeat blues that gets under your skin
with some unexpected chord changes,
rhythmic stutters and change-ups, a soulful
vocal performance, and tasteful guitar
embellishments. Song for song, this
dynamic second effort by Andy MacIntyre
is heads and shoulders above his first
record, Set Me Free. There’s much more
thoughtfulness and maturity on display
here and I can only imagine where
his guitar will take him in the next few
years…I plan on being front and center to see it! - Marsha Mann - INSite Austin Magazine

"From the first moments of the opening instrumental track ‘Cockroach’, it’s clear that Andy Macintyre plays a mean guitar - a virtuosic blend of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn riffs, enveloped in a rockin’ blues groove. It’s a sound that’s become synonymous with Texas Rock and Austin’s Sixth Street, in particular. The second tune (and title of the CD) ‘Set Me Free’, showcases Andy’s voice (which is fairly strong) and his original lyrics (familiar but catchy) quite effectively and probably has the best shot at some airplay....‘Barnyard Bill’ will have you looking around for some shit to kick!...I’m so impressed by Andy’s obvious talent." - Written by Marsha Mann

"If you like listening to badass Stratocaster/Marshall chops [Set Me Free] is for you. Nothing like the garbage you hear on the radio - this is original blues-driven rock. And the songwriting, lyrics, composition plus the vocals is the total package." -5-star rating, CD Baby review - CDBABY.COM

Interview to promote show for Austin Blues Society at Antone's
click the link to view on YouTube - YouTube

Andy Macintyre was back in town Tuesday night playing to a handful of new fans at McCabes Tavern with his band Primal Groove featuring Chris Alexander on bass and relative newcomer on drums (to Primal Groove anyway) Nico Leophonte. Nico’s played with Chris Duarte, Tommy Shannon, and many other musicians in the Austin circuit, so this is a nice matchup.
Together, the power trio formed a tight unit, and I think a little stronger and more cohesive than the last time I saw them in the area a few months ago. I saw more than one person use their cell phones to text their friends to get them to come down to see Macintyre. (I know they were doing that because for some reason they felt complled to yelled at me “I JUST TEXTED MY BUDDY TO GET DOWN HERE” over the band’s hard driving rhythm section!)
Playing originals and blues rock ala Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix (several times), the band is touring in support of their CD “Revolution”.
Alexander had a few solos during the night and showed he’s no slouch on the bass doing some pretty crazy runs and chord progressions and at times getting a great fretless sound out of his bass. Leophonte had a few cool breaks but the highlight was him playing a solo almost entirely on the rims in incredibly fast beats.
Macintyre’s slash-and-burn approach to his playing is still evident although there were alot of dynamics in tuesday nights performance. He’d bend over almost to the floor seeming to coax out whispery sounds from his Fender strat before jumping up and ripping through the house with some very distorted ladened riffs.
The band is winding it’s way through western Colorado, heading for Pagosa Springs then Durango before turning back towards Texas. - Soundboard Freedom Blogging

Andy Macintyre and band The Primal Groove rolled into town direct from a 22 hour drive from Austin, Texas ready to play. Unfortuneately there wasn’t much of an audience turn-out, but this made it a more intimate and jocular experience. The band wailed through covers and original material from Andy’s two CDs while joking about everything from Andy’s amp going out mid song to the ride from Austin to a number of other humorous anecdotes throughout the evening.
Macintyre is known for his edgey style of distorted laden blues riffs, clean acoustic lines, and soulful voice. Taking on all kinds of blues rock cover material that many other acts wouldn’t touch like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Scuttle Buttin’, A-Mac added his take-no-prisoners approach to fierce and growling tones on his beat up reverse-headstock Fender Strat.
Bassist Christopher “Spanky” Alexander was getting some of the best fretless bass sounds from a fretted bass I’ve ever heard. He also took over vocals from Macintyre on a few numbers. Dummer Richard Lamm’s drive and showmanship was bested only by his creative accents and fills. On some of the pieces I heard with slower intro’s or calmer phrasing, Lamm added some really nice percussion.
Overall, Macintyres reputation as a slash-and-burn guitarist was certainly evident, but since I expected that it wasn’t nearly as surprising as the really nice dynamics the group had. It’s not every guitar player with this kind of reputation that knows how to play “negative space” with some well done changes in tempo, volume, and soulful quiet passages. I was very impressed. I was also impressed when after the break he picked up his acoustic guitar and played a couple numbers solo with beautiful tones and skills.
Next on to Pagosa Springs, you can learn more about Andy and his latest CD “Revolution” at his web site at http://www.andymacintyre.com/ or find him on Facebook and Myspace.
Butch Leitz - Soundboard Freedom Blogging (Jun 25, 2010) - Soundboard Freedom Blogging

By MELODY MACK

With a passion that began at the age of 9, Andy Macintyre quickly learned that music was his calling. It all started with jam sessions on the end of his bed while growing up in Chicago, memorizing albums such as The Rolling Stone’s “Sticky Fingers” and Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” but it seemed to be leading nowhere fast. Even though he was playing six or seven hours a day, he knew his music would not succeed without a band.

When he moved to Austin his senior year, however, Macintyre found his band, and in subsequent years, he has played in 15 different bands, been featured on three different studio side projects, and has four studio albums under his belt.

Macintyre released his first solo album in 2007 called “Set Me Free,” a blues-tinged rock offering that elicited comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Miles. Macintyre’s true goal — to be recognized as an innovative musician in his own right — came with the recent release of his second album, “Revolution.”

“Two years ago I was sitting on the steps of my staircase playing things that I don’t necessarily want to play, and then all of a sudden this riff was just right there. I played the first two chords over and over, and within 10 minutes the song ‘Makayla’ wrote itself as I played it. It was incredible,” Macintyre said.

Macintyre attributes much of his success to simple optimism, a core belief that any goal can be achieved. Four years ago, his dream was to play at the prime musical hotspot in Austin, Antone’s Nightclub. Even if he was just opening for a bigger name, Macintyre told himself he was going to succeed. Now, not only has he played there four times, but he has managed to land a major spot that includes many other successful blues/rock talents performing alongside him. “I think the music business is all about baby steps each day. It can really be a hindrance sometimes, but when it start to deter you with the negativity, which always sneaks in, you just have to fight that stuff off,” Macintyre said. “I want people to accept my music for what it is, and when they hear me realize that I am not just a synthesis of everyone I have heard, but know, OK, that is Andy Macintyre.”

Macintyre’s current tour schedule includes cities stretched across the Lone Star State as well as dates in Colorado, New Mexico and Louisiana. He said he is looking forward to his upcoming Lubbock performance, too, and fans can expect a fun, laid-back evening.

“This show is going to be a mix of several songs off my first album and several off the second. Then we will perform certain covers, as well. Some are crowd pleasers and some are ones you do not always expect,” Macintyre said. “Please don’t be afraid to approach anyone in the band and inquire about CDs or ask any questions. We love to meet new fans and we don’t bite.” - FOR THE AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Andy Macintyre and Primal Groove to perform at Bodega's

Standing out among the multitude of musicians in Austin can be frustrating.

But Andy Macintyre and the Primal Groove find inspiration from their experiences exploring the state capital's music culture.

"Living and playing in Austin is an influence in itself," Macintyre said. "We've been able to meet and work with so many great musicians."

The band will bring its sound — a unique fusion of rock and blues — to Amarillo for the first time this weekend.

"Our influences range from classic rock, old prison blues to post-modern funk and psychedelia," Macintyre said.

The concert is set at 9 p.m. Saturday at Bodega's, 709 S. Polk St.

Andy is set to release his sophomore album this summer. Its debut, "Set Me Free," released in 2007.

"This new album is more focused thematically," Macintyre said.

"The sound has changed from the first one, but it doesn't desert the listener. The song structures are stronger and they make for a better overall record."

The band has been performing about half of the yet-to-be-named new album during shows for the past 6 months.

The new tracks are proving to be popular among crowds who want an energetic evening of entertainment, Macintyre said.

"Our concerts are a time for people to cut loose a little bit and definitely get into the music," he said. "We hope it's always a positive experience." - Amarillo Globe

Austin bluesman talks about 'Family Guy,' Michael Jackson and upcoming Midland shows
by Nancy Adamson
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Saturday, August 8, 2009 12:01 AM CDT
By Nancy Adamson

Music Editor

Andy Macintyre is what some people would describe as a 'character.' Several characters, actually.

His outgoing personality, mischievous sense of humor and obvious love of life aside, at any given moment, he is liable to delve into an eclectic collection of impressions and morph into Keith Richards, Spinal Tap's Nigel Tufnel or one of several male characters on Seth MacFarlane's animated series "Family Guy."

But first and foremost, he is a bluesman and he and his band, Primal Groove, will be performing Friday and Saturday night in downtown Midland at The Bar.

Click here to find out more!
Andy Macintyre and Primal Groove (AMPG) is a blues-based, rock power trio whose influences - which include Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Collins and Eric Clapton - are obvious from the opening note. But it's also obvious Macintyre is looking to forge his own brand of music.

Macintyre promises those who come out to one of AMPG's shows will not be disappointed. "The show is always explosive. We're a high energy, power blues, rock 'n' roll band. It's just three guys just banging out music."

Those guys include the rhythm section, which is Steve Hill on bass and the band's newest member, Brannan Lane, on drums. Keeping a drummer who is both steady on the beat and steady on the job has not always been easy for Primal Groove.

"We always have a slight, rotating door of drummers. In Austin, it's very difficult to keep drummers because drummers kind of like to play in five or 10 different bands all at once. But (Hill) and I have been going at this for going on three years now."

Not that any of the band's drummers have spontaneously combusted or suffered from some kind of bizarre gardening accident a la Spinal tap, but Macintyre couldn't resist quoting one of the film's memorable moments regarding the death of a drummer.

"I mean, he basically just sort of spontaneously combusted. It wasn't really a stain, it was more like a small little globule where the drummer used to be."

Macintyre was raised in Chicago, a city known for its own brand of blues, where he first developed his interest in music and playing the guitar. He said he was about 10 when he picked up a guitar and although he was left-handed, his dad insisted he play right-handed because that particular guitar was designed for right-handers. He grew frustrated and quit trying.

After a couple of years, the allure eventually lured him back, so made the adjustment, got hooked, got his own guitar and became determined to teach himself how to master the instrument.

"From the time I was about 13 until 18, I probably played 6 hours every day. The studies sort of suffered for it, but I definitely knew what I wanted to do after school.

"There were two albums I learned front to back. The first was Nirvana's 'Nevermind,' and then I went to the Rolling Stones' 'Sticky Fingers' and learned every song there. That was my first introduction into rock and then I went backwards and started learning all this blues stuff."

He was 17 when his father, who had been commuting between the Windy City and Austin for about 18 months, asked his family if they wanted to move to Texas.

Although it meant having to spend his senior year in a new high school, Macintyre had no reservations. The cold weather had taken its toll.

"Absolutely! Let's go. I can't stand this anymore," he remembers telling his dad.

It was in Austin that Macintyre developed his love of the blues.

"Being around a lot of really great blues players like Gary Clark (Jr.) and Alan Haynes and Jimmie Vaughn made me such a better rock player. When studying all those blues things, you go 'Wow, (rock 'n' roll) really did come from that.'"

He has other musical tastes as well, though, and really admires performers - especially Prince and Clint Black - who not only have mastered several instruments but also possess a strong stage presence.

The recent death of Michael Jackson also reminded him of the impact his music had.

"I used to take a lot of guff for saying 'Thriller' is excellent and 'Bad' is pretty cool and the 'Moonwalker' video is awesome. People used to say 'what's wrong with you?' but when he passed away, they all went 'wow, dude, you're totally right.'"

Offstage, Macintyre is in a committed relationship and enjoys being the father figure to his girlfriend's daughter from a previous marriage. He also enjoys an occasional round of bowling and watching "Family Guy."

"I know it's the most messianic, irreverent show out there, but there actually is a somewhat implied message in there. I think it's just a giant social commentary on Americans."

Macintyre then went into an unprintable but most impressive scene from the series in which he played several char - Midland Reporter - Telegram

Interview of Andy Macintyre on KPFT's Howlin' The Blues radio show from 8/19/2007. MP3 of interview available upon request. - KPFT Houston