Metalcore band from Nottingham, England

Self-titled debut EP OUT NOW

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Singer/songwriter/guitarist making alt-folk, baroque psychedelia & art rock. Neurodivergent, optimist, anarchist, avid gardener, former graphic designer & aspiring sound engineer. 

Combining 60s psychedelia, alternative folk, art rock, baroque pop and gothic post-punk, The Mad Pride has been described as haunting & ominous like a Tim Burton film soundtrack made by Syd Barrett & David Bowie. Reviewers have made comparisons to Radiohead, Midlake, Meat Puppets, David Sylvian, Erik Satie, Frank Zappa, Nick Cave & even Leonard Cohen. 

The Mad Pride is a reference to the movement “MAD PRIDE” which aims to increase awareness about neurodiversity, the mental healthcare system, psychiatric survivors and the rampant epidemic of ableist abuse targeting vulnerable people.

It began as a fun idea to make demo recordings of my original songs in case I forgot them. Slowly it transformed into a solo home recording project that allowed me to explore a mysterious and exciting place. An almost physical place that is beyond “sound” and “music”. Beyond the superficial vibrations forming the medium and through the emotional catharsis that makes up the message we find ourselves arriving at the only logical conclusion. That only one path leads away from a devastating nightmarish future. It doesn’t lead to riches and it doesn’t lead to Rome. It leads to a revolution of love.

I don’t know the landmarks (or genres as you call them) but I’m certain we can build something wonderful there. I lack the music theory that empowers and homogenises so many others but it’s alright because I’ve made my own. It doesn’t have words, just feelings. A sprawling landscape of emotions that I can scarcely even describe – except through song, My real name is Rowan Galagher but feel free to call me Rosie. 

My first 4 albums are free to download on Soundcloud. I’m currently finishing my 5th album, an endeavour which was delayed for over a decade while the rental crisis vanquished the physical spaces I would have used to write and record. Despite the greed-fuelled delay, I’m finally back in my happy place. A happy place built out of excessive trauma and hopes for positive cultural change. It’s like a messed up “Koom by yah” accompanied by a wood-chipper and a sad clown with a kazoo.

"If you mix the elements from Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Syd Barrett and Radiohead, you’ll get this music, in the most creative way." 
- acuvi - acuvi.org

“Psychedelic 60s gone noir cabaret with 80s goth production: watery guitars, icy keys and vintage Bowie-esque vocals.” 
- Delarue - New York Music Daily

“I recently came across some incredible stuff… The songs bear some resembles to Syd Barret, Tom Waits, Nick Cave or Cohen, this is interesting stuff for sure… I’m posting this because I think it’s worth it.”
- Netanderthalian – Grateful Breed Blog – A Psychedelicious Corner

"The Mad Pride is a good example of Folk Noir (“dark folk”) that also plays with some late 60′s dark psychedelic folk melodies. Galagher has been compared to Syd Barrett and the comparison is apt." 
- Matt Coleman - The Music Court Blog

“The variety here is amazing. The songs run the range from soft, almost acoustical to moody and experimental enough to be the sound track to a Tim Burton movie. They each push the limits of their genre. Be sure and listen to them all as they are very different and there is sure to be something you really like.”
- Jane W – fanrealm.com

“Rowan Galagher’s music is amazing. One minute it has you thinking “Pink Floyd” the next something entirely different. There is an ebb and flow to it that makes The Mad Pride beautiful to listen to.”
- Paddy – Only Australian Music Blog Archive

“Touches of the fragile detachment of Radiohead and a spectrum of dramatic emotion all take up residence under an ominous sky."
- Mr Atavist – Sunrise Ocean Bender

Nottingham based 4 peice rock band, looking for gigs.
Members
Sam Purser [vocals/guitar], Jackson Beardsley [guitar], James Dorey [bass], Joe Sheldon [drums]

…And Stars Collide return in 2011 with “The Courage to Start Again”, their first full-length album. April 21st marks the release of a free download EP lead by album track “When Our Eyes First Met”, an eight-minute epic that defies the post-rock blueprint with its ferocious opening salvo. Two self-produced non-album tracks serve as B-sides on the effort, which is available now from andstarscollide.com and will be appearing on a number of directly-targeted blogs and BitTorrent trackers.

Based in Nottingham, England, …And Stars Collide received widespread acclaim for their self-titled debut EP during 2009. “The Courage to Start Again” builds on this previous work, retaining its guitar-driven instrumental nature, but pushing the dynamics wider and honing the arrangements to flow relentlessly from start to finish. Recorded by Richard Collins and Robin Newman (Therapy?, You Slut!, LostAlone) and mastered by Medi Safa (*shels, Black Sheep Wall, Mahumodo), the seven-track album will see a CD release in July through the band’s Sky Weeps Productions imprint.

After a year away from the live circuit, …And Stars Collide will play a one-off show in May before embarking on a short tour of the UK in July.


Rock Sound: “…an appealing and, quite frankly, very fresh sounding debut EP… …pure innovation…” (8/10) (April 2009, issue 121)

RoomThirteen: “Easily one of the best post-rock records in a long, long time…” (13/13) (July 2009, online)

LeftLion: “They’ve come back refreshed and increasingly able to probe the outer limits of their dynamic capabilities.” (May 2010, live review, online).


Hi I'm Tom and these are my demos/recordings/sounds.

I've been in a few bands before but now it's just amateur 'bedroom' recordings. I predominantly play guitar but I give singing a go too plus bass and more recently dabbling in drums.

Here's the equipment I use:

Recording:
Abelton Live Lite 8.2.2 (DAW)
Audacity (editing)
Drumsite 1.7.0.1 (drum machine)
Line6 Pod Farm 2 (modelling)
Line6 UX2 (interface)
Shure SM58 mic
Rode NT1a condenser mic

Instruments (all left-handed):
Gordon Smith Graduate Slimline (custom 25.5'' neck) with stock pick-ups, tuned CGCFAD
Epiphone Les Paul with Seymour Duncan Jazz (neck) & Distortion (bridge) pick-ups, tuned EADGBE or BADGBE
Eastwood Ultra GP with stock pick-ups, tuned EbAbDbGbBbEb
Squire P-bass special, stock pick-ups

Amps:
Laney VH100r head
Marshall 1936 lead 2x12" speakers

Run home Thomas is following