Haze these days are a quartet of Chris McMahon (keyboards, bass, vocals), Paul McMahon (guitars, lead vocals), Danny McMahon (drums & percussion) and Catrin Ashton (flute, fiddle) along with some guests, Jessica McMahon (backing vocals), Lily McMahon (backing vocals), Hazel McMahon (backing vocals), Charlie Bramald (vocals) and Derek Nash (saxophone). Haze have long been one of my favourite bands, and I was even thanked in their 20th Anniversary live album: one of the things I have always liked about them is that not only have they always been one of the hardest gigging bands around, but even Haze is not enough. I have lost count of times I have seen Chris play outside of Haze, for him playing music is as essential as breathing, and he and Paul have a knack of continually providing songs which are melodic, full of hooks, and refusing to stick with one particular style. While they will always be associated with neo prog, there is an argument to say they often play music which is more influenced by melodic rock than prog, while folk is an important element at others.
Catrin adds an additional element, but she is not on every song, while Chris uses a wide variety of keyboard sounds as well as using both fretted and fretless bass and Paul moves between acoustic and electric guitars with ease. Paul provides lead vocals on all but one song, where he is replaced in that role by his brother, we get sax on just one but for the most part this is the quartet. Chris has always had an affinity with folk, and “The Outlandish Knight” is their version of a traditional number where they move through folk to metal to prog, back to metal, to ambient, back to prog, then folk before ending back on metal. “Drinking with the Devil” has them channelling Deep Purple, “Parasite” is more VDGG, while they seemingly have never found a time signature they don’t like, so while 4/4 does make an appearance they are as likely to be playing in 13/8, 6/8, 7/8 etc. There is a great quote on their website, “We are Haze and convention is optional” (which would make a great t-shirt).
More than 30 years since I first came across the guys, and 46 years since they first formed, Haze are showing no sign whatsoever of slowing down. Anyone who saw them playing anywhere and everywhere in the Eighties will be glad to know they are still rocking hard with wonderful songs and performances. Long may it continue. 9/10 Kev Rowland
