Formed in 1994 in Dunn, a small town a few miles outside of Raleigh, N.C., the members of Mr. Blackwell have been making a name for themselves through energetic live showings and self-production of two extremely promising CDs. They stand as one of North Carolina's finest uncovered gems, and move ever closer to the edge of breakthrough and worldwide acknowledgment--despite working on their own for everything they've achieved so far, with little to no commercial support.

Consisting of Warren Gary on lead vocals, Marc Anthony on drums, Bill Jackson on bass, and Micheal Moore and Bill Barbour forging a caustic twin guitar attack, I had the pleasure to see the band play at a recent show. However, that's just not enough. What about fleshing out what drives a band, what keeps them ever moving forward? That, my friends, takes a closer look...

Having gone to school together, the band members feel very lucky to have known each other for an extended period of time, and other than a couple of brief--and excused--leaves of absences by bassist Jackson, there have been no lineup changes. Taking care of personal business, Jackson is not currently with the band. Filling in for him is ex-Hellhound Trail thumper Brian Herring, whose moves and attitude fits in well. No matter who the fifth man may be, there's a definite feeling of unity when watching the group on stage. The songs flow, and the timing and precision is flawless. And through it all, a trademark sound is beginning to form.

I was able to catch up with Warren, Bill, Michael, and Brian before the show, to find out what makes the Blackwell machine move.

"One good thing about this band," Warren says 
over a cold brew, "is that each member can play a little 
of everything.  That helps a lot when it comes to the 
writing process.  I can dabble a little on the guitar and 
drums, Marc can play enough guitar to show off an idea, 
and all of us can sing."

As far as how the band approaches the writing process to their crunch-and-groove tracks, it's not a set pattern, according to Michael, Warren, and Bill. Each seems as enthusiastic speaking about their music as they are when playing it live on stage. After all, it is their self-professed "love."

"We try and expand our sound from album to album," Michael says.  
"We feel we can mix both heavy and light, and are confident enough in 
each others' abilities to have the public accept it."

"So far it's been great," Warren adds.  "We feel very fortunate 
of the reception Raleigh has given us over the past few years.  That's 
why we call it home--the fans there have kept us going.  It's not about 
the money--really.  It's what we love."

"We all want to have a good time," Bill agrees.  "Also, we want 
the same for the fans.

"Oh, definitely," Michael says.  "It's all about moving yourself, 
moving the fans--just everyone enjoying themselves.  Once this gets 
to be too much like a job, it's time to quit.  But I can't see myself doing 
anything else.  I wouldn't know what else to do!  I'd be in jail!"

If it's not a job, then the five men have certainly found "hobbies" at which they are extremely talented. Each has a full-time job to pay the everyday wear-and-tear bills of the real world, and all proceeds from live shows and CD sales go straight to the band's projects and bills. They own their own 16-track studio, which has just been completed.

"Our first CD was recorded at Sonic Wave in Raleigh, which 
is a total class act," Warren beams.  "Now, we've got a similar setup 
for ourselves, which makes things a lot easier."

The band has two releases, have charted nationwide, own their own studio, and have a number of major endorsements--things certainly sounding tailor-made for success. But still, there is no major record deal, despite the fact that fans leave every show hungry for more, and critics praise the band's knack for hook and rhythm.

"We've had a couple of labels look at us," Warren says, 
"but nothing has ever quite come together.  What we usually 
hear is that we're too heavy for one label, or not extreme enough 
for another.  It's frustrating, but all we can do is keep working at it."

But what about all the other bands who have major deals today?

"Yeah, it's difficult sometimes to look at other bands with 
one commercial song, and then they just end up being flashes 
in the pan," Warren continues.  "But again, they're just trying to 
do the same thing as us, I suppose."

"It's tough," agrees Michael, "but I have the upmost 
respest for anyone who has the balls to be in this profession 
and is trying to make it.  We've been around and through a 
lot--death, sickness, being turned down--but it's not stopped 
us yet.  Eventually, we all feel that the style of the band will 
create something new--something fresh."

Right now, the band is looking into the possibility of having a song included on a Howlin Records compilation--either "Breaking Me Down" or the as-yet unreleased "Crawl."
Looking towards the future, it's back to the studio around July 24th.

"We're looking for a more mature 'Burn'--a little of 
everything again on this one," Warren states.  "Something 
each person can listen to.  I mean, not every one of our 
albums will be the same--but at the same time, we'll always 
try and keep from putting out filler."

"We don't feel pressured to stay in one specific 
genre, which is good," Michael adds.

Currently, the group has about six or seven songs completed or very near, and demos on 35 or more others.

"I'm really hoping to get off my can and write some 
great lyrics," Warren says while shaking his head.  
"Nothing has touched the ones off the first album yet, 
so that's what I'm trying to get back to."  

As always with the band members, perfection and energy in their art is the goal.

While having said numerous times--and with sincerity--that it's not about the money, the band does feel that they stack up well to others.

"The money's not the main thing," Bill says, "but 
it would sure make things easier.  Recording, touring, 
everything."

There have been a few tastes of the big time--just enough to keep the appetite alive. The band has been opening act for groups such as Stuck Mojo, Dokken, Saigon Kick, Wrathchild America, Souls at Zero, and Queensryche, among others.

Souls at Zero, Wrathchild America, and Stuck Mojo have been amongst their favorite gigs, though there's no doubt what's at the top of the heap--a one-shot deal with Queensryche. And, perhaps, a preview of the future for the North Carolina grinders?

"It was sort of a surprise, to tell you the truth," 
Michael says.  "A radio station up here was running 
a contest to determine the opening band for 
Queensryche, and somehow got ahold of one of 
our tapes."

"106.1," chimes in Bill.  "And they're mostly 
classic rock!"

"That's the wild part," Michael exclaims.  "I'm 
surprised they picked us--but real glad they did!"

So just how does it feel, going from sweaty clubs packed with bodies, beer, and smoke, with five guys sharing a stage meant for two or three---to one of the South's biggest and most prestigious venues--Hardee's Walnut Creek Amphitheater?

"I was in awe," Michael says.  "But we were 
ready.  We felt confident."

"Bill (Jackson) wasn't there," Warren says, 
"which would have made it perfect.  Still, it felt like 
we were kings for a day.  The guys from Queensryche 
were total class acts, and it was also a chance for us 
to see what a real professional setup was like."

The band is finding things a bit harder now, as the local metal scene seems to be drying up a little over time. A number of once-mainstay clubs have been forced to close their doors over the past couple of years, which is going to make the climb that much more nettlesome. Still touring mainly in North Carolina, the band roves from Wilmington up to High Point. They've ventured to Myrtle Beach, S.C. before as well, and have found that word-of-mouth has been a strong supporter as well.

"We heard where some people thought we 
were the permanent opener for Queensryche," 
Warren notes.  "That says a lot--says that we did 
a good job.  We did get a standing ovation from 
the crowd after our set, which was great."

• Don Dokken
• Phil Anselmo (Pantera)
• Paul Stanley (Kiss)
• Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
• Chuck Billy (Testament).

Michael Moore and Bill Barbour:

• Iron Maiden
• Judas Priest
• Slayer
• Randy Rhoads (Ozzy)
• Jake E. Lee (Ozzy and Badlands).

Marc Anthony:

• Iron Maiden (early)
• Queensryche
• Type O Negative.