Mullingar band host free official launch gig on Friday
The M Fours are a new band, but all four members have plenty of experience on the local music scene.
Based in Mullingar, they describe their influences as reggae, pop, soul, rock and rockabilly, and their sets suit a variety of musical tastes, including Blondie, Janelle Monae, Amy Winehouse, Etta James, Dusty Springfield, No Doubt, The Pretenders, Roxy Music, Imelda Maye, Fleetwood Mac.
The M Fours are: Julie Shaw, vocals; Justin Whelan, bass guitar; John Jackson, drums and vocals; and Al Behan, guitars and vocals, and they are hosting an official launch on Friday, April 8, in The Chambers Mullingar.
“Admission is free for all on the night – we invite everyone to come along and check the band out,” said John.
They will be playing at venues across the country after their launch night and return to Mullingar for a gig at John Daly’s on Friday April 22, and for The Bachelor Festival, on Sunday May 1.
The M Fours in their own words
Julie Shaw has extensive experience playing live and is well known on the Mullingar music scene. She has played with The Blues Band, Mere and the Mullingar outfit Egg and Spoon.
She is comfortable covering a wide range of styles and has an impressive vocal range. She has also toured with, Relish, The Blizzards and Turn.
Justin Whelan comes from a well known musical family in the Mullingar area and has played with many well-known artists over the years.
He is probably best known as a member of international artists, The Marbles, who were famously signed to ZTT, the home of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and toured with acts such as Ocean Colour Scene, The Dandy Warhols, Stiff Little Fingers, The Walls and The Blizzards.
Justin has also played with The Aftermath, Mere and The Whiskey River Band,
John Jackson is probably best known for his high intensity drumming with Mullingar outfit Raw Novembre, who had chart hits in Ireland. He has toured all over Ireland, the UK, Germany and The Middle East and also has done studio work with artists such as The Woodbines, No Bodder, Dave L and the Beats Sans Souci, Daithi Rua, Gavin Walsh Band, The Shadow Merchants.
He has also toured with bands like Power of Dreams, Cactus World News, Stockton’s Wing, The Saw Doctors, Hermitage Green and many more.
Al Behan is the only member of the band not from the Mullingar area, and the M Fours are delighted to have secured his services. Al is from Dublin and he has carved a career with outfits including, The Rebel Souls, The Trenchtown Experience, Inner City Dogs, The Two Bowsies, and most recently The Mutts.
He is a sought-after session musician and brings a wealth of experience to the band. He has now become an honorary Westmeath man.
Email: themfoursband@gmail.com