The Gig Cartel - Artist profiles: Mama

Mama…. If you are a fan of Progressive Rock and Genesis in particular, then that title should send shivers up and down your spine. The track was a central part to the band’s 1983 self-titled album and is a consistently popular staple of rock radio to this day as well as being part of the live set of several of the tribute bands to Genesis that have sprung up around the UK and elsewhere over the last few years. Speaking of tribute bands, we have Mama who have taken that song as their name. Combining the formidable talents of several musicians who are no strangers to the music of Genesis including vocalist John Wilkinson previously the front man of the extremely popular Face Value, guitarist Darren Dean who previously indulged his passion for Genesis’ music in Genesish and was in the original folk band Straw Dogs, Keyboardsman John Comish who also tried his hand in the last incarnation of Face Value. Bassist Dave Jones meanwhile has played with lots of bands over the year but counts his time with Tim Bowness and his other band Nerve Toy Trio as some of his favourite work, and Drummer James Cooper whose credits include stints with Moonlit Knight and Pink Floydish. They have appeared up and down the United Kingdom at some of the major tribute band venues as well as many theatres and festivals over the past five years. The emphasis is on all era's of Genesis music so you will hear songs from 1972 all the way through to the last album to feature Phil Collins as lead singer, "We Can't Dance", and all stations inbetween Their level of musicianship is superbly high, as displayed by the reaction to the gigs which they have already played over the past five years to enthusiastic audiences starting with their debut gig at the Pacific Road Arts Centre Birkenhead getting the following comments from the editor of TWR, the longest established Genesis fan magazine in the world… “this band have arisen from the ashes of one of the best loved tributes to Genesis and taken things to even greater heights. The performance at the Pacific Road Arts Centre in Birkenhead rates as one of the most impressive debuts I have ever seen. Musically spot on the money. Vocally, uncannily like Genesis and visually, convincing enough for me to suspend my disbelief. At times it was as if Genesis themselves were on stage. Either that or they had been cloned - impressive stuff!”