Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 22, 1991 TAG: 9103220558
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"That's an impossible question," he said recently in a telephone interview from his home in New Haven, Conn. "I'm just too close to it. A lot of times people will think that when you get a band together, you try to sound like somebody. In reality, we do the opposite. We want a sound that's totally unique."
In this, the Connecticut band succeeds. There's a rock side and a soft side to Miracle Legion, and the band's two albums give a sample of both.
In concert, the group plays styles ranging from original, danceable rock to what Neal, 31, calls "an acoustic, folk kind of thing."
Last year, still promoting the 1989 release of a self-produced acoustic album featuring Neal and lead singer Mark Mulcahy (called, appropriately, "Me and Mr. Ray"), the band members included a long acoustic set in each show.
But when they play at Buddy's tonight as a part of their cram-every-show-you-can-into-one-weekend tour, expect mostly an energetic, electric sound.
The band was started by Neal and Mulcahy six years ago - after the two became New Haven's "punk independent promoters," after each had played in a string of bands, after each had become frustrated with being in the background and never the focus of their groups.
Since that time, the band has produced two albums, two EPs, played on a soundtrack for the film "A Matter of Degrees," soon to be released on Atlantic Records, and traveled across America, England and Europe a few times.
Neal said he and Mulcahy still marvel at their luck. "Someone actually paid me to play in Vienna," he said. "I couldn't've dreamed five years ago that this would become a full-time job."
But it is, although the group is not getting rich. "We're getting by," said Neal, who lives with his wife in New Haven. "We're not coming to the gig in a Lear jet."
Actually, Neal, Mulcahy, bassist Dave McCaffrey and Spot, the drummer, are coming to Blacksburg in a van - probably rented.
"We had our own," Neal said. "But it went across America once too many times" and is now a lawn ornament somewhere in New Haven.
Last year, Miracle Legion brought its electric and acoustic mix to more ofthan 100 clubs and concert halls. This year, the number will dwindle somewhat as band members shop for a new label.
That, Neal said, is mostly a matter of luck and timing.
"But I guess Van Morrison got signed by someone who said, `Hey, this guy is great.' Probably a lot of other people thought he wasn't."
As time goes on and Miracle Legion makes an occasional MTV appearance, its audience is changing.
"It used to be we just drew an audience that knew a lot about us,' Neal said. "You know, serious people. Now it's more of a mix. Guys will stand in front of me now and watch me play guitar - watch my fingers. It's a little disconcerting."
But only a little.
Mostly, Neal said, he enjoys playing the clubs. And writing songs with Mulcahy.
"I used to listen to bands like Zepplin and think, `Is it possible I can do this? Have this effect on someone else?' When I was younger, back before punk rock, I thought I couldn't. But then I heard bands like the Clash and the Buzzcocks, songs that were still having an effect on me. And I thought it was conceivable - I could do that.
"It wasn't until I met Mark that I tried."
which plays original, progressive rock with a country twist and includes members of Not Shakespeare and Daniel Bone and former members of Martin Roach and the Hollowmen. Music should start around 10 p.m.
by CNB