The Answer

The Answer Overview:

The Answer play blues-based rock that sounds like it could have come out of the 1970s. Sporting a heavy AC/DC and Led Zeppelin influence, the Northern Ireland band are proudly retro, sharing very little similarity with the rock acts of their own era. The Answer’s lyrics are merely an afterthought in comparison to Paul Mahon’s two-ton riffs and frontman Cormac Neeson’s banshee wails, creating songs that capture classic rock’s no-frills fun and rebel attitude.

The Answer's Origins:

The Answer formed in 2000 in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. Guitarist Paul Mahon joined forces with a classmate, bassist Micky Waters, and eventually brought lead singer Cormac Neeson and drummer James Heatley into the fold as well. The group’s old-school blues-rock sound caught the ear of Albert Productions, the Australian record label for AC/DC. With Albert’s support behind them, the Answer spent the next few years touring, writing and releasing singles and EPs.

Debut Album Pays Homage to the Past:

The Answer’s official full-length debut, Rise, emerged in 2006. Combining new songs with previously-released material, Rise didn’t win any points for groundbreaking originality, but the album showcased the group’s skill with Southern rock (“Be What You Want”), ‘70s arena rock (“Come Follow Me”) and strutting hard rock in the spirit of Free (“Into the Gutter”). Neeson’s vocals contained none of the sensitive emoting of contemporary post-grunge bands – he and the Answer were primarily concerned with rocking out and having a good time. Rise got the band worldwide attention, although America proved difficult to conquer.

Coming to America:

The band finally began to establish some inroads with American audiences when they signed with the indie label The End Records for U.S. distribution. As part of the agreement, the Answer released an EP in 2008 called Never Too Late, which contained a track from Rise as well as a song, “Highwater or Hell,” that would appear on their forthcoming full-length album. Also aiding their visibility, the group were named as the opening act for the North American leg of AC/DC’s Black Ice tour.

'Everyday Demons':

Everyday Demons, the second full-length album from the Answer, was released March 31, 2009.

The Answer Lineup:

James Heatley – drums
Paul Mahon – guitar
Cormac Neeson – vocals
Micky Waters – bass

Key Songs From The Answer:

“Never Too Late” (Purchase/Download)
“Highwater or Hell” (Purchase/Download)
“The Doctor” (Purchase/Download)
“Comfort Zone” (Purchase/Download)

The Answer Discography:

Rise (2006)
Never Too Late (EP) (2008)
Everyday Demons (2009)

The Answer Quotes:

Micky Waters, on why the band is approached by so many classic-rock bands to tour.
“I think they pick us because we remind them of themselves in their youth. We do honest rock ‘n’ roll with no clichés.”

Paul Mahon, on the band’s first rehearsal.
“We started playing a cover of [Free’s] ‘All Right Now’ and from the first note of the verse, we knew the chemistry was there.”

Cormac Neeson, on the Answer’s ambitions.
“We want to be absolutely massive. We want the stadiums, we want the No. 1 records, we want it all!”

Paul Mahon, on audience reaction to the Answer’s music.
“People really want this music. And we just want to give it to them. It’s our time.”

The Answer Trivia:

• The Answer won Best New Band at the 2005 Classic Rock Awards.
• The band’s song “Never Too Late” was featured in the video game Guitar Hero.
• Before the band signed up to tour with AC/DC in 2008, the Answer had previously committed to playing with Black Stone Cherry but then had to back out.
• The Answer have played with Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones and the Who.