MACKENZIES
Formed in Glasgow in 1985 Mackenzies emerged as one of the sharpest and most distinctive bands of the postpunk era’s funkdriven underground.

The original lineup—Paul Turnbull (drums), Iain Beveridge (guitar), Gary Weir (vocals/guitar) and Peter Gilmour (bass)—bonded over a shared love of Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band, James Brown, James Chance, Funkadelic and Parliament. Local inspirations such as Josef K, Fire Engines and Orange Juice convinced them that experimentation, rhythm and attitude mattered more than polish. Rehearsing in Paul’s bedroom, Mackenzies forged a taut, angular punkfunk sound that stood apart from their peers.

The addition of Peter Ellen on saxophone pushed the band into sharper, more visceral territory, while second guitarist David Allen completed the lineup that would define their sound. A bedroom demo recorded in November 1985 found its way to Radio 1 and into the hands of John Peel, who promptly invited the band to record a session at Maida Vale. Peel’s enthusiasm led to a rare second session within months, cementing Mackenzies as one of the era’s most exciting live acts.

Signed to the influential Ron Johnson label, Mackenzies released New Breed, which was awarded NME Single of the Week, and featured on the nowlegendary NME C86 cassette, culminating in a performance at the ICA in London in 1986.

After decades dormant, Mackenzies have recently reformed to enthusiastic acclaim and are once again active on the gig circuit. Since returning, they’ve played Celtic Connections, alongside a run of soldout shows including the Wee Red Bar at Edinburgh College of Art and The Glad Café in Glasgow with Land Surveyor.

Now signed to Last Night From Glasgow (LNFG), Mackenzies release their longawaited debut album A Dog’s Breakfast in September 2026, recorded at Glasgow’s Green Door Studio. The album blends key songs from their original catalogue with new material and marks 40 years since the release of New Breed.

To celebrate, Mackenzies play Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art on 19 September, joined by special guests and former Ron Johnson labelmates Great Leap Forward, followed by a run of UK dates through autumn 2026 in support of the album launch.

THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD
The Great Leap Forward is the long-term music project of ex-bIG*fLAME singer and bassist Alan Brown, a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and lyricist who has UK indie heritage from 1982 onwards.

Formed by Brown following the disbandment of his former band bIG*fLAME in 1986, The Great Leap Forward has essentially been a solo project in which Brown writes all songs and lyrics, and plays / programs all instruments on recordings.
The style and sound is more melodic and accessible than bIG*fLAME, but still with overtly political lyrics founded on a socialist & humanist ethos, manifesting itself in incisive political and social commentary layered over sharp yet melodic guitar pop – and with a touch of electro and humour thrown in for good measure...
Legendary BBC Radio DJ John Peel was a great supporter of both bIG*fLAME and The Great Leap Forward, with Brown in his time recording 9 Peel sessions for bIG*fLAME, TGLF, A Witness, and Inca Babies.

Brown / TGLF has continued to release albums over the years (https://thegreatleapforward.bandcamp.com/music), and from 2026 for live performance has recruited experienced musicians & long-time friends Richie Dempsey on drums (Stretchheads, Dawson, DeSalvo, Sumshapes) and Anthony Chapman on bass and Electronic Organisation (Collapsed Lung, Super Burner, Arndales).

The two The Great Leap forward Peel sessions are due for vinyl release on Precious Recordings Of London in October 2026, with new recordings of the TGLF live set due for release in early 2027.