Meet The Guys In

Neil Mackie - Lead Vocals / Guitar / Guitar Synth

Tell Me About Yourself	I started playing back in 1979, aged 11. As my brother played in loads of bands around the Glasgow area, I was given the chance to mess about with his Peavey bass and Marshall stack - I was hooked. With my mate Robert, we formed a band playing largely very basic Status Quo numbers. As my playing improved, I continued on bass duties through a succession of bands of various styles. At the same time, I noodled about on guitar and keyboards to write my own material. Following the break up of my last band in 2003, I decided that whilst the band were great I could do better. I decided to park the bass, bought a Les Paul and started looking about for likeminded people to join me in starting a completely new band playing material audiences would love to hear, that we'd love to play and that would be above all fun. The Shine was born!
So What's The Best Thing About The Shine?	To me, The Shine is absolutely amazing. Every member is so talented and professional yet, above all, the greatest pleasure is playing with some of my best mates. There's a fantastic spirit in the band and a complete friendship. This is what makes it all worthwhile! The other equally big buzz I get out of the band is the amazing reaction we get from audiences wherever we play. I always say I'm more a performer than a musician but the more I play with Andy, the more I learn. The more positive reaction we get from an audience, the more I tend to give. I love audiences wherever we play and love the interaction we build. So long as we can keep making people happy, entertained and going home thinking "that was a bloody great night", the longer I'll be happy. The Shine's possibly the most fun you can have with your clothes on!
What Equipment Do You Use With The Shine?	Epiphone Les Paul / Heavily customised Peavey / Steinberger Spirit Pro / Crafter acoustic / Stagg 12 string acoustic / Walden classical acoustic / Roland GR-20 guitar synth / Marshall & Trace Elliott amps / Hartke bass cabs
Apart From Material You Play With The Shine, Who Do You Listen To?	I listen to absolutely everything, from heavy metal to jazz to classical to trance! Ultimately what I come back to most is progressive rock - Pendragon / Pallas / Abel Ganz / Peter Gabriel / Genesis.
Neil's Website	www.mackieonline.co.uk
Contact Neil	neil@theshineonline.co.uk