As some of you have guessed, we're sad to announce that founder member, skinsman extraordinaire and old friend Neil 'Macca' McMinn is leaving SB6. Without further ado I'll hand you over to Neil to explain...
After 12 proud years of touring, recording and shenanigans that took us further than we ever imagined, I'm moving onto other things. Why? Simply put, I want new challenges. 12 years is a long time to be focused on one thing in music, and it... feels right to leave now. I told the rest of the band a while back that I wanted to leave, but it's taken a while for the guys to find a replacement and I didn't want to leave anyone in the lurch. As the release of the new album draws close it's time for me to officially sever ties and allow the band to work on their upcoming commitments.
I don't really need to say it but it's all super amicable between myself and the band and I hope they can achieve what they want in the coming years. Nothing would make me happier than to see them all push the band to the level it deserves.
The last SB6 drum strokes you'll hear from me will be on the upcoming album. I can honestly say it's the finest collection of songs from the band to date, with some fantastic vocal performances and some awesome songwriting.
First, thanks goes to all the fans for the amazing support over the years - especially all the Pledgers! Thanks to the fans who purchased from the online shop, I proudly stuffed all your packages and posted them! Thanks to my family and all the band members families whose support kept us going in dark times. Thanks to all our managers, agents, tour managers, crew, record companies and promoters across the world who believed in us and put their wallets and sanity on the line for us! Finally thanks to the band members past and present; this thing we do regularly puts us in places and situations some people don't do their entire life and it was a pleasure to share it with you.
I've been working on building up freelance playing opportunities and developing my teaching in the Manchester and Preston area, so if you're interested hit me up [email protected] or say hi on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/neilmcminn.
It's been awesome. See you in the crowd at an SB6 show somewhere!
Neil 'Macca' McMinn"
For our part, we want to thank Neil for his commitment, talent and logistical brilliance. It's never going to be the same without him, but there's isn't a slither of resentment or bad blood about his decisions. We're hoping that one day perhaps we will enjoy his solid wooden strokes again... and his drumming. Best wishes to him, his dear, supportive family Gina, Matt and Andy Mac, and his girlfriend Holly in the future. And who can forget Auntie Barb?!
Fans wanting to show your appreciation, please leave a message for Neil in this thread.
