Biography Mike and the Mechanics

1 biography

1.1 formation , commercial breakthrough
1.2 peak
1.3 dissolution
1.4 second incarnation

biography
formation , commercial breakthrough

during hiatuses genesis, mike rutherford had been pursuing solo career, releasing smallcreep s day in 1980 , acting strange in 1982. however, found process of recording solo album excessively difficult, , results artistically unsatisfying. recalled, had revelation, too, in time period... m not complete on own. ...i m more creative , inspired when there other people around me , m bouncing ideas off. however, still felt working genesis leave him unfulfilled, , satisfy both desire create music outside format of genesis , desire collaborate other musicians, set forming own band.

rutherford had started songwriting partnership scottish singer/writer/composer b. a. robertson, , band s self-titled debut album enlisted services of producer christopher neil. besides producing, neil co-wrote of songs, selected material inclusion, , performed backing vocals. continue play key role in band s albums first decade of existence.

similarly steely dan, in studio mike + mechanics not tight-knit band vehicle songwriting of rutherford, robertson, , neil, , session keyboardists, drummers, guitarists, , lead vocalists performed on songs in place of official band members. indeed, line-up of mike + mechanics came on course of recording first album; paul young, recommended group neil , manager, said time joined, backing tracks album had been recorded.

rutherford more satisfied resulting album , decided continue band indefinitely, rather leaving one-off project. when album released in 1985, decision further bolstered immense commercial success. while rutherford s solo albums had been moderately successful, had never managed top 40 hit (except in canada, maxine acting strange snuck in @ no. 39); mike + mechanics scored 3 of them, silent running (on dangerous ground) , need miracle , taken in , first 2 becoming top 10s. silent running featured in movie on dangerous ground, released in north american cinemas in 1986 choke canyon.

peak

the song living years (us no. 1 single) featured on band s second album living years. song written rutherford , robertson after both of fathers had died, lyrics written robertson , centered on unresolved dissension between robertson , father. song sung carrack, had lost own father when eleven years old. album featured song nobody s perfect , sung young , had received considerable airtime music successful television advertising campaign tennent s bitter.

at point carrack began take larger role in band, joining stable of songwriters , adding keyboards repertoire. group s third album, word of mouth, followed in 1991 , scored trio of hits, lead single becoming 1 of popular songs yet.

their fourth album, beggar on beach of gold, did not appear until 1995. when did, however, met critical acclaim , yielded both hit title track , single on shoulder .

their run of successes capped 1996 s hits, compiled of hit singles new reworking of need miracle hit number 27 in uk. album certified platinum in uk within 2 months of release.

dissolution

in 1995, band began fall apart: adrian lee , peter van hooke left (before , after beggar on beach of gold, respectively), , christopher neil s long tenure songwriter/producer group ended. however, rutherford opted continue mike + mechanics singer/songwriter trio. group s fifth studio album released in 1999, mike & mechanics. known m6, hits album being fifth release. band no longer had distribution deal american record label, m6 available american market import only. moreover, hit, ve gone , barely cracked uk top 40.

another blow struck following year: on 15 july 2000, paul young died heart attack. band regrouped in 2004 mike + mechanics featuring paul carrack . implied new name, carrack played larger role before, performing band s lead vocals , keyboards , co-writing songs. released album rewired, became first album lack hit. van hooke briefly worked band again during time, not official member co-producer of rewired. performed drums , percussion on album , tour.

shortly after, carrack became involved solo work devote time group. in 2007 interview rutherford stated mike + mechanics had run course.

second incarnation

mike + mechanics @ sofia rocks fest 2011.

over several months of 2009 , 2010, rutherford formed new band. since there no hope of original group ever reforming, opted again use mike + mechanics name. in december 2009 interview, rutherford stated m doing new mike , mechanics album. kind of thought had put bed, still enjoy songwriting. working few new co-writers , couple of new faces band. paul carrack doing solo stuff, have guy called andrew roachford, r&b kind of singer. s little different, soul seems there.

a new album, road, , hit road tour 2011 announced in november 2010. album released in april 2011 featured both roachford , tim howar on vocals, luke juby on keyboards, gary wallis on drums, , anthony drennan on guitar , bass. though rutherford s songwriting partnership b.a. robertson had since ended, album marked return of christopher neil songwriter/producer. tour included performances across uk, germany, , various other european cities.

this incarnation of band continues tour, , has announced series of uk dates 2017.