MezzotonicA Profile
The dawning of the new millennium brought many changes across the world but for two lads from the West Midlands it brought about the formation of a band. That band, is Mezzotonic.
“….we got a band together at college, and there were a few different members when we started, but then after we’d played for a few years we kind of settled, there was me, Matt, a guitarist called Adam Parkes and a drummer called Dan Haywood….” Simon Lloyd (vocalist)
With this cemented line up and a hunger to perform, the band played all across the Midlands and even made the journey down south to perform in London. They also released a few singles and a self titled EP that showcased their hard hitting Funk Rock style.
“….I’ve always been told the Chilli Peppers reference, and I like the Chilli Peppers, but for me, especially vocally, it has always been Lewis Taylor that has been a big influence….” Simon
Taking Simon and Matt’s Funk Soul influences and combining them with the Rock surge of Adam and Dan, Mezzotonic created a sound that would carry them forwards for years to come.
“….I’d go and see the kind of energy and atmosphere Rock bands would create on stage, and I’d be like, I want to recreate that while still keeping the Funk Soul element alive….” Simon
So over the years as their live shows evolved along with there sound the band began to build a strong set and create even more original music. However it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
“….It was kind of at this point it sort of ran out of steam, Adam had a new project that was taking up his time and Dan being a session musician as well was getting more and more gigs in theatres and other places, so it wound down….” Simon
This didn’t stop Simon and Matt performing however. Ditching the grooves for the moody blues they put together an acoustic performance and got back out there across various open mic nights. It just wasn’t the same however
“….It was great that we were still performing, but going from like a high energy full band performance to acoustic stuff, it just didn’t feel the same….” Simon
So the duo began the arduous task of finding a guitarist and a drummer.
“….we met with a few drummers and guitarist but non of them really stuck to be honest, it just didn’t seem like we’d find anyone anytime soon….” Simon & Matt Poole (Bass)
Thankfully for Simon and Matt, when it rains , it pours. A week after finding a new guitarist in Richard Boxley, they were contacted by a drummer named Mike Furgusson and immediately knew they had found who they were looking for.
“….I’d tried to start bands with friends in the past, but we always got to the point where we just needed that last member, then it would just fizzle out. So when I saw this band looking for a guitarist, I thought, there’s a band doing what I want to do, I’ll join that one….” Richard
“….For me I’d been in a few bands, covers, pub bands like that, so this was my first sort of proper band, one where I could be a bit more creative, and was more doing the kind of stuff I wanted to be playing….” Mike
Armed with the enthusiasm of their two new members Mezzotonic was reborn. Repurposing they’re old sets the band began to get back on to the live music scene and develop their new line up.
“….we considered changing the name, to maybe start out as a whole new project, as the others had left their mark on our music so far we thought we could re invent and create something new, but instead we kept the name, but evolved more towards the Rock side of our sound. Plus I’d already had a lot of the equipment branded….” Matt
“….and we’d already had the tattoos done….” Simon
So with a new sound inspired by early Incubus, on Richards part at least, the band began to write new songs. Eventually, after a couple of weeks they would have several completed tunes and were getting ready to tour them.
“….This was going to be our year, we had some big gigs booked and a load of festivals to do, we were even going to headline one on my birthday which would have been cool….” MikeSadly, like many bands gearing up for the summer of Festivals in the Uk, Mezzotonic
would have their plans flipped upside down by the Covid-19 crisis.
“….we were really gutted about the cancellations but we still have a festival slot in September, so were just hoping things might be able to go ahead in someway….” Simon
This sentiment is felt by nearly all the musicians hoping to take the stage this summer. Thankfully before the Lockdown, the guys were able to record four tracks that they plan to release during this unscheduled down time.
“….It was kind of like an EP, we just recorded the four tracks and then with everything going on, just decided to release them separately, we also managed to record some acoustic live lounge stuff that we plan on putting out during all of this….” Simon
So armed with these videos and they’re unreleased tracks, Mezzotonic can do nothing but bide their time until their moment comes. Hopefully it won’t be much longer until once again they take to the stage and fill people with their electricity and raise the roof of venues across the UK for years to come.
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