VIRGIL MCMAHON www.virgilandtheaccelerators.com is without doubt the finest young player to emerge in the UK for a good many years. Emulating his father when just 5 years of age, he picked up a mandolin and began to strum chords. From that day forward a guitar has never left his side and he would often be seen on balmy Friday nights running around helping his Father set up his stage gear at The Radium Beer Hall, South Africa, where he would play his blues to an appreciative audience.
By age 9 Virgil was absorbing his influences with frightening ease; Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top amongst others were soon emanating from his guitar. At 12 years of age he was invited to jam with the great bluesman Otis Grand, an evening that earned himhis first standing ovation.
The following few years saw Virgil playing at local gigs and festivals in and around his new home in Wales. It was widely agreed that something very special was being witnessed. Virgil decided to form a young and vibrant band thus avoiding the mistake a lot of young players make, that of surrounding themselves with a group of more seasoned professionals.Younger brother GABRIEL (at the time an unbeaten amateur boxer) was recruited to playdrums along with a local bass player. VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS were unveiled atthe prestigious West Midlands venue, the Robin 2 in Wolverhampton where they immediately established a rapport with the knowledgeable Robin 2 crowd.
In 2009 came a big break when playing at The Anchor in London, one of many venues promoted by club guru Pete Feenstra. This connection led to the band being taken on by The Rhino Agency and subsequently joining Joanne Shaw Taylor and Oli Brown on the sell out“New Generation Blues Tour” and enjoying main stage performances at major festivals around the UK..
At just 18yrs old, lead guitarist of Virgil and the Accelerators, Virgil McMahon, became the youngest person shortlisted in the 2010 British Blues Awards.
During the past year Virgil and his 17yr old brother Gabriel on drums have toured extensively in the UK and Northern Europe, ending the year playing in front of a combinedaudience of over 5,000 fans enjoying two fantastic performances with Joanne Shaw Taylor in support of Black Country Communion at London Shepherds Bush Empire and Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Virgil & The Accelerators now feature the talents of 21yr old Bassist Jack Timmis the final cog that completes a unit so full of energy and power that audiences are left simply breathless. Virgil has astonishing Fretboard skills, a Vibrato that is a National treasure, and is a true feel player delivering jaw dropping solos. Together with Gabriel’s powerhouse drumming and Jack’s solid bass lines, the result is a band which has been likened to a new “Cream”. Virgil and his exciting band have a clear understanding of dynamics and the rare ability to get inside a song, turn it inside out and then back again – a talent that brings astanding ovation at every show.
In 2010 Virgil & The Accelerators signed to Mystic Records, recording their all-original debut album entitled “THE RADIUM” which is to be released 26th September and backed up with a full UK tour.
Website: www.virgilandtheaccelerators.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VATABAND
By age 9 Virgil was absorbing his influences with frightening ease; Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top amongst others were soon emanating from his guitar. At 12 years of age he was invited to jam with the great bluesman Otis Grand, an evening that earned himhis first standing ovation.
The following few years saw Virgil playing at local gigs and festivals in and around his new home in Wales. It was widely agreed that something very special was being witnessed. Virgil decided to form a young and vibrant band thus avoiding the mistake a lot of young players make, that of surrounding themselves with a group of more seasoned professionals.Younger brother GABRIEL (at the time an unbeaten amateur boxer) was recruited to playdrums along with a local bass player. VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS were unveiled atthe prestigious West Midlands venue, the Robin 2 in Wolverhampton where they immediately established a rapport with the knowledgeable Robin 2 crowd.
In 2009 came a big break when playing at The Anchor in London, one of many venues promoted by club guru Pete Feenstra. This connection led to the band being taken on by The Rhino Agency and subsequently joining Joanne Shaw Taylor and Oli Brown on the sell out“New Generation Blues Tour” and enjoying main stage performances at major festivals around the UK..
At just 18yrs old, lead guitarist of Virgil and the Accelerators, Virgil McMahon, became the youngest person shortlisted in the 2010 British Blues Awards.
During the past year Virgil and his 17yr old brother Gabriel on drums have toured extensively in the UK and Northern Europe, ending the year playing in front of a combinedaudience of over 5,000 fans enjoying two fantastic performances with Joanne Shaw Taylor in support of Black Country Communion at London Shepherds Bush Empire and Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Virgil & The Accelerators now feature the talents of 21yr old Bassist Jack Timmis the final cog that completes a unit so full of energy and power that audiences are left simply breathless. Virgil has astonishing Fretboard skills, a Vibrato that is a National treasure, and is a true feel player delivering jaw dropping solos. Together with Gabriel’s powerhouse drumming and Jack’s solid bass lines, the result is a band which has been likened to a new “Cream”. Virgil and his exciting band have a clear understanding of dynamics and the rare ability to get inside a song, turn it inside out and then back again – a talent that brings astanding ovation at every show.
In 2010 Virgil & The Accelerators signed to Mystic Records, recording their all-original debut album entitled “THE RADIUM” which is to be released 26th September and backed up with a full UK tour.
Website: www.virgilandtheaccelerators.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VATABAND
Blues Guitar Blues rock