Virgil & the Accelerators
Album Review links
Classic Rock Magazine 8/10 Sept issue
Still Not into his 20's ,Virgil Mcmahon is the latest UK-raised Blues-Rock Prodigy. Backed in a power trio by his drummer brother Gabriel and Bassist Jack Timms, Virgil has already gone some way to establishing himself on the UK touring circuit, Yet few will have expected a debut album quite as mature and accomplished as this.
Although on stage he covers Hendrix, The Bluesbreakers, and SRV, This album triumphs thanks to the combined strength of 11 self-written songs and the technique of It's main creator. Opener Working Man has a slight ring of Bonamassa but Virgil is no mere copyist and the weighty Backstabber grasps the nettle of youthful anger.
8/10 Dave Ling
Get Ready To Rock 5 STARS
Midlands Rocks 9/10
Gary Grainger (Bishop Fm) 5 STARS
Music News Live Gig Review
Readytorock.com Live Gig Review
Dave Ling (Music Journalist) taken from his 27th Feb 2010 Blog.
In the evening I attended a local gig at the Dartfordonians Rugby Club in Bexley, Kent. I’d been meaning to check out the Billy Walton Band since their highly impressive album, ‘Neon City’, dropped onto my desk. Guitarist/frontman Walton is now a member of Southside Johnny’s band, and there’s a definite New Jersey flavour to his own group’s music. Annoyingly, thanks to the railway timetable, I could only hang around for the first half of their set. The BWB were really good but it was the night’s opening act, Virgil & The Accelerators that **really** blew me away. A frighteningly young three-piece from Wales, V&TA have only been together for 12 months or so but already display awesome potential. Fronted by 18-year-old Virgil McMahon, a true guitar hero in the making, their covers of material by Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Bluesbreakers and Jimi Hendrix are nothing less than stunning. Of course, the band’s future also depends upon an ability to compose their own tunes. I hope to get a better handle on that before too long by catching a full-length gig.
"Just Amazing - This is an Outstanding Band" Carvin Jones, May 2009 20th
"The best this club has ever seen is now without doubt Virgil McMahon of the Accelerators… I foresee this young man being the best of the best; in the not too distant future he should surely be revered as one of the greats and mentioned in the same breath as Joe Bonamassa and Walter Trout. An absolutely awe-inspiring performance had a sell-out audience spellbound in their seats as he performed with such ease and exquisite style that we simply cannot wait to get him back at the club again!"
Borough Blues Club Review of Virgil & The Accelerators gig 7/6/2008
"Virgil McMahon is a guitar prodigy making waves in the Welsh and ripples throughout the British Blues scene"
Blues in Britain Magazine
"The Accelerators are the finest blues band I've heard for some time - tight, energetic, passionate and entertaining - and 15 year old Virgil on lead guitar is truly an awesome talent".
BB Skone, Radio Pembrokeshire
"A 15yr old year old blues guitarist called Virgil McMahon had just played the roof off the Tenby Rugby Club. From the moment that Virgil strapped on the black Les Paul until the standing ovation at the end it had been one hell of a memorable afternoon. He took us through everything from neck-strangling sustain and fast, driving solos to sensitive and violin passages, all supported by a more than competent band. I walked out into the sunshine stunned and speechless".
Punter feedback on Tenby Blues Festival
"The performances are pretty damn hot....keep an eye out for Virgil McMahon in the future. We can expect to hear more from this young gentleman. The force indeed strong in him".
Blues Matters
"An Accelerators show is always a joyful experience for anyone passionate about music, and lead guitarist Virgil displays a taste, sensitivity and sheer ramalamadingdongness that belies his years. A star on the rise!"
Malcolm Cawley, Music Organiser, The Blackwood Big Balloon Festival.
"Saw these guys play last night at the Cellar Bar in Cardigan, WOW! Style, energy, passion, and huge talent. The whole band were fantastic, but special mention has to be made of the awesome guitarist Virgil; boy does this lad shine, keep your eyes on this one, he truly is OUTSTANDING!"
Helen, Cilgerran, West Wales
''Pete what an unbelievable gig, Virgil and the Accelerators left me speechless. I thought that JST was really up against it following such a superb set.
Boy did she rise to the challenge with guitar work as good as any I’ve seen or heard anywhere in the last forty years of listening to rock and blues.
if either band plays the Beaverwood again I’d encourage people to book as it surely must be a sell out.
Cheers
Mike''
Virgil and the Accelerators at the Anchor last night. Bloody hell - what a find!!!
Great young band but can\'t believe that guitar player - there were just some licks that I\'ve never heard before, some of it was stratospheric and at only 17yrs old - are we seeing something major here happening here?
Important question though - when are they coming back to the Anchor?
keep up the good work!
Steve
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