HUGH CARTER: Vocals, various acoustic stringed instruments, Flute, additional keyboards.
HEW MONTGOMERY: Keyboards, vocals
DAVID MITCHELL: Electric and acoustic guitars
STEPHEN DONNELLY: 4 & 5 string Basses.
DENIS SMITH: Pots and pans
STUART "Mick" MACFARLANE: Lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars.
Influences
Early Genesis, Yes, ELP, PFM, Focus, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, The Flower Kings, Ozric Tentacles, Steve Hillage, Gong, Porcupine Tree, Renaissance, Van Der Graaf Generator, Spocks Beard, Rush: YOU GET THE PICTURE.
Sounds Like
Early Genesis, Yes, ELP, Rush, Focus, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, PFM, The Flower Kings, Ozric Tentacles, Steve Hillage, Gong, Porcupine Tree, Renaissance, Van Der Graaf Generator, Radiohead, The Tangent,
ABEL GANZ was formed in 1980 by keyboard player Hew Montgomery and multi-instrumentalist Hugh Carter. Although both had played in various bands over the years, it was a shared interest in progressive rock and a need for a songwriting platform that brought about the birth of Abel Ganz. The line up was completed with the addition of guitarist Malky McNiven and drummer Ken Weir.
The band played regularly in the Glasgow area and decided to recruit a vocalist as their popularity grew. Diminutive singer Alan Reed came on board from Stirling band Trance Macabre and Abel Ganz recorded their first album "Gratuitous Flash" in 1983. With regular gigs and airplay on Scottish radio, Abel Ganz were building up a solid following which was re-enforced with an appearance at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Festival which had long been the gig that launched the careers of many Scottish bands. Alan's performance that day brought him to the attention of Pallas who were searching for a replacement for the recently departed Euan Laurson. One audition later Alan was off on a free transfer to Aberdeen and Pallas - http://www.pallas.f2s.com and 20 years later he's still there!
Malky meanwhile had left to pursue his horticultural career to be replaced by Paul Kelly on guitar and vocals swiftly followed by Gordon Mackie on bass as Hugh Carter stepped down to manage the band. This line up of Abel Ganz proved to be the busiest playing gigs throughout Scotland and the north of England and recording a second album "Gullibles Travels".
A 3rd album "The Dangers of Strangers" with Denis Smith joining on drums and guest appearances from former "Ganzers" Alan Reed and Paul Kelly came in 1985. The bands popularity was now spreading to Europe thanks to a contract with French label M.S.I.
The 90's were a difficult period for the band and the writing was on the wall when co-founder Hew Montgomery, the creator of the "wall of Ganz" keyboard sound left to be replaced by Stuart Clyde. By this time the band was slipping into the murky waters of AOR rock and a 4th album "The Deafening Silence" coupled with bad management saw Hugh Carter split the band rather than let Abel Ganz turn into the monster it was threatening to become.
There then followed some years of inactivity as Hew went to ground and Hugh continued to write and record in his studio in Glasgow.
However, a chance meeting with Hew in 2001 saw Abel Ganz back on track again. With Hugh & Hew very firmly at the helm and Dangers of Strangers drummer Denis Smith back on board and joined by his long term collaborators Davie Mitchell on guitar and Steven Donnelly on bass the band now has a settled line up, which although working at a painfully methodical pace has the creativity and desire to be around for a long time to come.
thank you very much for the add. Having listened to "Shooting Albatross" I can only say: this is really a great album and congratulations for this fantastic music. There's everything a top album should have: brilliant compositions and melodies, strong vocal arrangements, stunning guitar and keyboard work, superb production and recording quality. I am absolutely enthusiastic about your CD and glad to offer it in my eBay shop.
Musikzirkus-Magazin – the Internetmagazine about Prog-, Art-, Psychedelic-, Melodic-, Krautrock and Electronic with a lot of Concert-, CD-, DVD-Reviews, Interviews and many Infos. So have a look.
I have been waiting for your new album to be released... and that time is now here. I would like to invite you to join my Progressive Rock Forum where you will find even those involved in creating Summersend along with many many other bands and musicians.
My pal Rick has just unearthed a gem. Three tracks from our first ever Ganz gig at Kelvingrove park bandstand!! Broadcast on Radio Clyde - you know how many moons ago that was. Have you got a copy?
Hello Hugh and all, thanks for adding me to your friends. Fiona told me all about what a great band Abel Ganz is, so I had to have a listen and your music's great! Songs From the Wood is one of my favourites too! All the best, Lori
Hi Abel Ganz! Glad to hear that "all's well that ends well" with the launch gig in Glasgow. Also, pleased to hear that you will be playing the Summer's End Festival (great line-up btw)!!! Things are looking up for Abel Ganz, and I am happy for all.
I got my dates mixed up!! Was gona come and see you at stereo but I thought it was Friday - dont think I can make it Thursday ..... hope all goes well and its a good one!!
Exactly Shug! Great to have you guys as friends at last. We're gradually trying to get as much rock influences into Rallion as possible without Andrew and Marieke noticing!!! ; ) Love Fiona and the rest of Rallion
GUYS! Hope you are all feeling happy and pleased with yourselves. You played really well tonight. Thanks so much for inviting me to be there too and take part. I had a blast! Look after yourselves and hope to see you all again soon.
Thanks for the add. I would've loved to be at the album release next week, but since I live a bit too far away, I will have to wait and get the album when it's available from your label.
I wish you well, this Easter and in the times to come.
Hi Hugh,Thanks for adding me as well,Hope to wish you all the best on your launch night...sorry i will not be able to make it.But hope i can come and see you play live somewhere at a later date.Best wishes,Illona.
