The Mel Outsider Reformation

Returning to the John Peel Theatre after a fantastic concert in 2024. We are delighted to welcome back The Mel Outsider Reformation. If you missed it the first time don't miss it again!The 15 year old East Lancs rock n roll runaway Mel Outsider absconded from school to spin the waltzer cars on the fairgrounds and walked the ponies for the travelling circus.A love of adventure and the open road saw him move on to form Brit Blues rockers as vocalist for The Outsiders UK and complete a staggering 286 live gigs in 365 days in 1991.The Outsiders UK released 4 albums and were a popular live group on the European circuit. The final album was critically acclaimed "Everything's Gone Vintage" 2016.The new Lancashire based group The Mel Outsider Reformation retains the services of musical director and bassist Matt Pawson and guitarist Liam McCartan.Dan Arnold joins on guitar, alongside Karl Francis on drums.Barney Williams from Boogie Williams / The Milltown Brothers / The Animals takes organ, piano & keyboard duties.Andy Morell plays sax and leads the pocket central horns.Powerhouse vocalist Hayley Gaftarnick and the sublime Ellie Coast (both Leeds) are on accompanying vocals.
The project was produced in Accrington by Real World Studios Mark Jones, who describes the album as "the rock n roll "Dante's inferno" for the 21st century."Mark has produced, engineered and worked with such luminaries as Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens, Patti Smith, The Blue Nile, Wishbone Ash, The Ting Tings, Black Grape and Goldfrapp to name a few.Aided and mastered by Grammy winner Mark Phythian (Coldplay).