Xmas is here, time to get the Argos catalogue out.

Last week i performed at some drum clinics which i really enjoyed. Didn't think i would given past experiences but it was good. I stopped doing them many years ago in the late nineties due to the negativity and competitive nature of other drummers/people (who on the whole couldn't play their way out of a paper bag!) and the attitude of certain companies towards me which is something i neither warrant (having paid my dues many times over) or are prepared to put up with so it was nice to meet so many down to earth nice people this time around. Thanks to everyone who put on the clinics and who came down. Thank you for your support. There will be a lot more of these next year.

Drum Room is becoming more and more talked about and sought after as people start to hear it so i have high hopes for my labour of love next year and will start another as soon time allows!

I have been in the studio this week putting the final drum tracks down for the new Gang of Four album due for release early next year and i must say it is sounding huge. Very exciting. We will be touring extensively next year.

I also begin rehearsals with my Nu Jazz hard groove trio next week (i just made that up, sounds good) and then into the studio with them very soon to produce a very frightening album which will involve musicians playing their arses of and recording it live! What a strange concept in this day and age, setting up mics and recording human beings playing. The band will feature an extremely talented guitarist and old friend of mine Hugh Turner. The meters meets can!

As well as all this i have a very special project which is in the early stages which will be.......well i don't want to say too much at this early stage but it's going to be terrifying.

So as we head into the xmas period i reflect on a year full of surprises and happiness.
My wonderful wife and i are truly blessed to have brought our beautiful little girl into the world and everyday with her is a joy.

Gang of four are going from strength to strength with a whole new audience being exposed to the ferocity and untouchable social commentary that is more relevant now than it ever has been. This year saw us perform at venues all over the place and which climaxed with the Entertainment anniversary celebrations at The Forum and also our appearance on Jools Holland which was great. Really is a pleasure to perform and spend time with my good friends Jon, Andy and Thomas. New album on the way!

My website www.mark-heaney.com is now up and running and i will be adding more and more info, pics, movies, news etc to it all the time. I have so much footage from gigs and drum sessions it would take forever to put it up but i will keep putting up what i can. The drum clips that i posted up seem to being going down well. Expect a lot more of them. You can see all of them at my You Tube channel.

I am glad to be back in contact with Kevin Morris from DW who has provided me with some great sounding Pdp drums and Trx cymbals and i have high hopes for a good future together.

I achieved my goal of creating my own album which i am truly proud of. Wasn't easy especially when you are your own worst critic. I finally found a point where i was happy but as with most creative people i know we are never happy and i could of spent another 6 months on it but i wanted it to sound raw and spontaneous which i think it does which also makes it very exciting. Already thinking about the next.


This year also confirmed thoughts and feelings about certain people and situations that i always knew were exploitative, negative and wrong. Always trust your feelings and instinct.
Pale imitations!
To the haters, keep hating, it has no bearing on me or my art whatsoever.
So this will be my last entry this year. Need a rest.
So Merry xmas to everyone and here's to a wonderful 2010.
Remember treat others as you would treat yourself.
Right I'm off to Argos. x

P.s
If i see that twat off top gear pushing that shopping trolley around the countryside with his sharks tooth necklace going on about how it's got to be british once more i swear to christ.
Also that twirly moustached bastard telling us to go and compare, compare this (kick to the bollocks, goes down like a sack of shit, moustache comes off etc).
Be Lucky.

Drum Room Cd now available
Drum Room is now available on Cd as well as digital download.
The Cd contains all artwork and sleeve notes.
To get your copy go here.

Gang of Four Entertainment 30 year celebrations.


What a week it was for us. Blinding gigs in Edinburgh and Glasgow followed by our performances on Jools Holland. Thought it looked and sounded great.
(Could of given the drums a bit more in the mix though)
Thanks to everyone who came to see us and as always to our management and crew.

Assembly Rooms 25/09/09

Friday the 25th saw us making our way very slowly around the a406 and then on to the a40 to the Assembly Rooms in Leamington Spa. Loved the caravan backstage whch was put there before the room was built. As soon as i stepped into it my Irish heritage kicked in and i was ready for a bareknuckle fight. Jon also asked me if i could tarmac his lounge.


As we make our way on stage an old 2nd world war machine gun stands beside the stage door. Strange object to be faced with before you go on stage, mind you could of come in handy with some of the talentless twats i have had the misfortune to work with. Strap it to the kick and soon as they start their nonsense, bang. Could work it of an aux hi hat pedal.
So we go on and to a wonderful reception we kick off. I must say that tonight's gig is exceptional. We play extremely tightly and deliver a nice helping of relentless, aggressive art.
It's wonderful having Eddi Reader with us as well. Adds a lovely vibe to the band.
So we head back and i get stuck into some serious wineage with Andy chatting about this and that. I don't realise how pissed i am until we get to the petrol station. I stumble out and Eddi asks me to get her a Walnut Whip.
No walnut whips in the garage so i get her a kinder egg and a twirl, close enough.
We head back and i continue to spill red all over my jeans. We stop for a kebab which i chuck in the bin after one mouthful. After everyone is dropped off i am the only one left in the van and our poor driver has to listen to me going on about, well i cant't remember but i am sure it was a load of nonsense. I get in and watch the jool's performance from that night. Every time the camera zooms up my nostril i cringe.

Apart from that sounds and looks awesome. I head to bed.

The Forum London 26/09/09

I wake up a little hungover.
Hang out with my little girl and wife and about 3 head to Kentish town for tonight's gig.
Get there soundcheck and begin to get into character.
We are on at about 9.15 so by 9 i am in an extremely bad mood.
Someone asked me after the gig why i look so serious when i play.
Where do i start.
The content and emotion of Gang of Four music requires a certain hard hitting no compromise approach which involves one adopting a certain mindset and matter of factness. To sit and lightly tap away would be pointless and sound wrong, this isn't a Max Bygraves gig so i hit them with as much intensity and anger i can because lyrically and musically that is the emotion that needs to be conveyed.
Very short and basic answer but i hope that explains why i don't sit there with a stupid i just won the lottery grin on my face.


So we go on and have a great gig. Anthrax is particularly good this evening involving Andy and Jon throwing the guitar from one side of the stage to the other whilst putting out the most horrible feedback whilst Thomas and i nail down a huge groove.
So we come to the end and make our way upstairs and come down.
We are joined by family and friends and drink and have fun.
So i head home at 3 in the morning just in time to feed my baby.
A great week and thanks to everyone who came to see us.
So until the next time we will get on with finishing the album and we will
be out and about next year.
See you then.
x

Jools Holland


I had a wonderful time recording Jools Holland yesterday. Our performances went well and i enjoyed the whole experience, really nice vibe in there.
I had the honour of meeting the one and only Charlie Watts.

Not everyday you meet a living legend.
I met him once before when the Seahorses supported the Rolling Stones in 1998. I have to say he is a true gentleman, humble, polite and just a lovely guy. So pleased to have met him again.
So the rest of Jools with us performing 2 more songs is on Friday at 11.30 then we play Leamington Spa and the Hmv Forum.
See you there.

Gang of Four Edinburgh/Glasgow
18th and 19th September 2009

We had a great time in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The gigs were rammed and the audience were fantastic. It was nice to meet Eddi Reader and have her perform with us. So next is our appearance on Jools holland tomorrow night followed by the Friday night show. Looking forward to it. After that see you at Leamington Spa assembly rooms at Hmv Forum London.

Gang of Four/ Jools Holland

Gang of Four will be performing on Jools Holland on the 22nd and 25th of September.
More details to follow.
Stay tuned.

Drum Room Review
Rhythm Magazine September 2009