Artist description Intelligent, passionate  5-piece soul/funk outfit

Music Style Soul/Funk

Musical Influences Sting, Brian Kennedy, Martyn Joseph, Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai, Stevie Wonder, Roachford, Paul Carrack

Similar Artists Sting,Jamiroquai, Paul Carrack, Van Morrison

Artist History MAKOWER formed in mid 1997, with the arrival of drummer Oscar Whatmore kicking things into action, and the church band providing the nucleus of members to come. Serious rehearsals began Easter '98, and they burst onto the live scene at the Portland Arms two months later. According to Will,  "it's our favourite gig to date - the home crowd atmosphere was mad !" Having signed a production deal with CARRERA, the rest of '98 was about winning fans at gigs, and shifting copies of 'Only Human' (3-track CD single) to friends and fans alike: "Really good...the vocals are excellent - almost Sting-like in quality, with a bit of Steely Dan!" (Tony Hall, Pool Productions Ltd) Hailing from Cambridge, England, with influences from Sting to Jamiroquai, "Van Morrison isn't a patch on this lot!" (MeLee, Editor of MIC magazine). Their music's been described as "chunky beats and receding grooves...a very mature sound" (Insane Promotions), a fitting summary of all that makes up that unique MAKOWER vibe. In 1999, Will won the music prize in a national talent contest, singled out as "someone who'll go far" (Marcus Dunk, Music Critic, The Express), and the band played to hundreds at a local outdoor festival. 2000 saw them getting James Farrant (the new guitarist) up to speed in rehearsals, gigging in and out of town, and going into the studio to record a 2-track band demo. Last year also saw Oscar Whatmore (drums) leave and Chris Peters join, with the addition of John Barron on Sax. "The plan now is to build on the foundations" says Will. "We don't want to be the house that crumbles into the sand - we just wanna rock...in a funky way!" Building a bigger fanbase, honing the live show, and getting management are among the future goals. 2001 has already seen Will winning 1st prize in the gospel/comtemporary category of an international song contest called UNISONG, and with "fresh blood" in the band, MAKOWER are ready to make further leaps and bounds before the year is through...

Group Members Will Makower, Chris Peters,  Dave Hargreaves, James Farrant, John Barron

Instruments Keys/Lead Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitar/Backing Vocals,

Albums 'Only Human' (3-track CD single, 1998); 'Live At St B's' (7-track E.P., 1999)

Press Reviews Cambridge Town Crier/Cambridge Evening News (Cambridge Band Competition Heats) Jan/Feb/March 1999;                          Cambridge Evening News (Music PrizeShortlist) July 1999; The Express (Music Prize Winner)    August 1999; The Express (Last year's winners)    March 2000; The Royston Crow (Meldreth gig preview)    August 2000; M.I.C. Magazine (Demo review) August 2000

Location Cambridge, Cambridgeshire - United Kingdom

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