STEVE McKENNA
-BASS-
BIOGRAPHY
My parents got me into music following my older sister into playing the piano and competing in music festivals (she was more succesful than I). As a teenager I would listen to her rock records so when the guys at school started to get into bands I was way ahead of them. I didn't start on the guitar till I was 16 and bass 17 so it was pretty late really. I wish I had pursued a musical education like my sister did to degree level at university but I dumped the piano lessons to play sport instead, which was a big mistake. I've never had a guitar or bass lesson, I always just played by ear (until someone suggested I try using my fingers). I've been lucky to know and play with some brilliant musicians and that's been the greatest lesson of all. I think in all I've recorded around 14 albums, with artists such as Bob Catley [Magnum], Danny Vaughn [Tyketto], Millenium, along with some of Garys solo projects.
FILE - FAN FACTS
PLACE OF BIRTH
Workington, Cumbria,
UK
EQUIPMENT
Yamaha, ESP and Musicman
bass guitars
Ampeg Amplification
Sansamp foot pedal
FIRST MUSICAL HEROES
Glenn Hughes
Gene Simmons
Phil Lynott
Steve Harris
David Coverdale
TOP 3 FILMS
Apocalypse Now
Lost In Translation
The Alien Series
TOP 3 CITIES
Madrid
Athens
Tokyo
TOP 3 FOODS
Chilli
Curry
Tuna Salad
DESERT ISLAND TOP 5
Peter Gabriel - Secret World
Thin Lizzy - Live And Dangerous
Black Country Communion (either of their 3 albums)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Road
Pride And Glory - S/T
FAVOURITE TEN TRACKS
The Name Of The Rose
After The Love Has Gone
You're My Religion
TOP 3 BOOKS
Karl Marx - Capital
George Orwell - Animal Farm
Bram Stoker - Dracula
TOP 3 DRINKS
Jack Daniels
Coffee
Tea
DREAM LIVE VENUE
Budokan, Tokyo
FAN Q&A
1) Which are your main musical influences?
My earliest influences were seventies bands that I used to play along to such as Lynyrd Skynrd, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Thin Lizzy, Van Halen , UFO, etc. My most recent influences are the musicians I’ve been lucky enough to have played alongside throughout my career in music so far.
2) Which are the most challenging TEN tracks to play live?
So far I’ve only found Thunder in Heaven hard to recreate. Its tempo is so fast and the riff so intricate.
3) What's your first childhood memory of doing something rock related?
Going to see Iron Maiden play as a teenager, and trying to play the songs with friends in my Dad’s garage.
4) Which are your favourite three songs of all time?
Still in love with you – Thin Lizzy, Coast to Coast- Glenn Hughes, Whiskey Rock a Roller- Lynyrd Skynyrd ( my theme tune...lol.)
5) Who would play you if a movie about the band was made?
Danny Devito.
6) What was your first day job?
Sales assistant on music dept. in WH Smiths store in Liverpool.
7) Which hobbies/interests you have that could surprise people?
I can play bass guitar. ;-)
8) Which are your favourite sports/teams?
Rugby Union.
9) Where is your favourite place in the world?
Crummock Water in the Lake District.
10) Who is your favourite musician?
Glenn Hughes.
11) What is your favourite breakfast cereal?
Porridge.
12) What is your favourite music guilty pleasure?
Bix Beiderbecke. 1920s jazz musician.
13) What is the proudest moment in your musical career so far?
Being asked to perform in Tokyo with an all star band incuding Zakk Wylde, Paul Gilbert, and Tom Keifer.
14) Which would you say have been your role models in life?
Got to be my Mum and Dad.
Life Motto:
If it looks and smells like bullshit, it is bullshit.
