Browse Site

Bob Leslie at The OutFitMusic

Bob Leslie and Alex Mack met in September 2004 while both were playing in well-known Glasgow watering-hole, The Clutha Vaults. Their styles of music seemed to instantly complement each other and they soon decided to pool their musical fortunes.

When it came to organising the recording sessions for the album "Little Stories From The Mine", Bob was able to turn a working acquaintance with SAHB's drummer, Ted McKenna, to advantage and Ted, along with the other half of the Alex Harvey Band's rhythm section, Chris Glen, came aboard for the session.

On this début album, all the songs were penned by Bob and the title refers to the fact that much of the material has been mined from his own life experiences. Alex, although not as prolific as Bob, is a fine song-smith in his own right and subsequent planned recordings will also feature his writing as well as performing talents.

Originally from Edinburgh, Bob is an exact contemporary of the SAHBs but, while they were taking off worldwide, paid his dues touring the Highlands and Islands with blues and progressive rock bands such as Snark and the J-Fats Band (featuring legendary Caithness guitarist Johnny "Fats" Sutherland). A later move to London resulted in talks with Kinks manager Robert Wace and interest in his songs from Chrysalis Records. He also spent a brief period making demos for Scott Walker! Despite his imposing stage presence and undoubted talent, none of this early interest matured into the kind of offer he was looking for and he drifted into the anonymous world of London sessions and small club gigs.

After 20 years of playing "every kind of music under the sun," Bob went to Spain one summer for a holiday, fell in love with the place, and promptly abandoned the session circuit for a languages degree at London University. Returning to Glasgow to continue his studies, "Doctor Bob" graduated PhD in "Filth and Depravity in Anglo-Italian Renaissance Theatre" - or, at least, he reckons that should have been the title! He then entered the teaching profession which, he claims, has made him "immune to anything except techno." His song "Adios To Rock'nRoll" draws heavily on that experience.

For several years, he ran Glasgow's Flamenco Society and was a familiar figure staging shows during that city's annual West End Festival. On the back of a mid-life crisis, Bob figured he'd had enough character-building experiences to give him something to write about and has been churning out songs ever since.

Alex Mack went the other way from Bob and moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh where he became involved as musician and organiser with the famous Craigmillar Community Festival before recently returning to his home town. Not quite as old as Bob, Ted or Chris, he nevertheless has substantial musical experience under his belt. Alex is a well-known face around both the folk and rock circuits.

With his folk hat on, he's an impressive mandolin and accordion player with a wide selection of traditional Scots and American songs at his command. As an electric guitarist, he has played with noted east coast rock ensemble Jack Easy as well as depping for many Glasgow bands since his return. He is one of those master musicians who can "get a tune out of anything" and, with his eclectic tastes, was an ideal partner for Bob in the musical venture that is The Outfit.

The music they play falls into the category "Americana", that is to say music that weaves together the strands of alternative country, bluegrass, rock, blues and a dash of soul to produce a form high in musicality, drive and narrative. The Outfit is characterised by extremely strong lyric writing, powerful tunes and great emphasis on harmony.

There is nothing pretentious about their music and the greatest compliment they have received was to be told by a fellow musician "Guys, whenever I hear a new tune of yours, I feel like I should know it already." By the time an audience hears a new Outfit song twice, they are already singing along with the hook. Chris Glen, producer of "Little Stories From The Mine," describes it as "Something we've not seen much of lately, a real song-based album - and a good one!"

Up to Bob Leslie