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The Answer
Here's how a band gets tagged as Classic Rock revivalists?
1) Play Blues-based Rock.
Sure, there are a lot of groups that use the Blues as a foundation without being seen as retro. But there's more.
2) Share the stage with Classic Rock bands.
The Answer, coming out of Belfast, opened for the Rolling Stones, The Who, Aerosmith, Deep Purple and even Whitesnake on European dates. The Answer also joined AC/DC on the legendary band's '08 comeback North American trek. While in New York, The Answer made their U.S. T.V. debut on The Late Show With David Letterman.
3) Have Classic Rock legends for fans.
Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Paul Rodgers (Free/Bad Company) and Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) praised the band and/or showed up at their shows. It didn't hurt to have the U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine name The Answer the Best New Band in '05.
That's The Answer.
The Answer got rolling when Paul Mahon, the son of a musician, started working with former classmate Mickey Waters.
Cormac Neeson was a Blues singer in New York when he got a letter from Mahon suggesting Neeson return and join the band -which he obviously did.
The trio recruited James Heatley but had to wait until he completed his degree in Psychology. With that accomplished, the band began rehearsing in '01.
Like countless groups, The Answer rifled through numerous names before finding the answer. "We need a name," Neeson told his bandmates. "What's the answer?" And there it was, more to less staring them in the face. "It's a name to build yourself up to," added Neeson.
Though The Answer began recording in '02, their full-length debut album "Rise" didn't land until '06. Classic Rock magazine called "Rise" the 'Album Of The Year' and Kerrang magazine named The Answer the "Best British Newcomer" (even though the group originated in Northern Ireland).
"Never Too Late," the group's second single landed on the Guitar Hero World Tour video game while another track, "Into the Gutter," was on the soundtrack for the "Pure" video game.
Due to complaints about download only singles, "Rise" was physically re-issued in '07. Tracks not included in the original iteration, found a home here. There was also a cover of Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" that was originally recorded for a free Kerrang! magazine CD. Coincidentally, The Answer opened for Aerosmith at Hyde Park (London) and the Rolling Stones at other European open-air venues. The Answer also traveled North America on AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour before heading to the studio.
Signed by the indie label The End for U.S. distribution, The Answer issued the EP "Never Too Late." The set included "Hell Or Highwater" which also appeared on the full-length '09 release "Everyday Demons."
The future of Classic Rock? The question is The Answer.
Roll through the verse on a riff and a prayer. Drive the chorus with power chords and let the singer bring it home. Repeat. Insert a guitar solo and repeat chorus. That's the Classic Rock template - in use for decades. Often considered, with some justification, to be tired and worn out, the template, in the hands of a true practitioner, like The Answer, can be brought back in all its glory.
Though it's natural to focus on Neeson's throaty vocals or Mahon's forceful yet textured guitar work, nothing moves without a spot-on rhythm section (that would be Waters and Heatley).
"Demon Eyes" (great title), opens firmly with the title track but the next song, "Too Far Gone," is kick-ass Rock. From there, they hit the mark with "Pride," "Tonight" and "Dead Of Night." Every song, even the ballads, works - exceptionally well.
While it is easy to identify The Answer's influences, the group's direction owes a lot to a more contemporary source. "The Darkness opened people's eyes really, to (Classic) Rock music," said Neeson in an interview. "They made the guitar solo cool and Rock music trendy by appearing on Top of the Pops." A telling difference is The Darkness has a Glam tongue-in-cheek attitude while The Answer takes itself a little more seriously.
"Rise" available as an import, is just what is advertised. A guitar drench collection of Blues-drenched licks and riffs. The group, and especially Mahon, has got it down. Neeson, often compared in to Led Zep's Robert Plant in early reviews, actually falls between the aforementioned Rodgers and Brian Johnson (AC/DC).
The EP "Never Too Late" features the propulsive, riff infused title track. Also, Mahon displays his solo chops on a live version of "Come Follow Me" (originally on "Rise").