Having been influenced as a teenager by T.Rex & David Bowie, Mick developed a serious interest in rock music.
Unfortunately he couldn’t play an instrument, but had several friends that could. Amongst his friends were the Hackett brothers, Rob & Andy. Rob could play bass guitar and Andy played guitar. They had formed a band called Sister Bluebird and needed a singer, so Mick had his first taste of performing live in 1974, as the vocalist. The band played a handful of gigs before disbanding and going their separate ways.
Mick was drafted in to Rob Hackett’s next band, ‘Pipedream’, initially for his enthusiasm as a roadie, then later on the mixing desk for live performances. Again, after a few live gigs, the band split up.
Another friend, guitarist Steve Gilbey introduced Mick to Alun Mountford another guitarist. Steve & Alun also wrote their own songs. Mick was drafted into the band as sound engineer also singing backing vocals from the mixing desk!
The band, eventually became known as ’The Llamas’ played a number of gigs in the area and also further afield, they also won a recording contract with a record company in 1980, however, after much negotiation the offer was turned down. The band continued for a short time with a slightly different line-up, but eventually folded in 1981.
Disillusioned by the music business, Mick sold his gear, mainly PA equipment, and started a new career as a Driving Instructor, which allowed him to follow his other interest of motor racing.
In the late 1990’s Mick became strongly influenced by Sheryl Crow and the desire to play guitar re-surfaced. This time he stuck with it, around 2003 he eventually moved over to bass guitar.
The Llamas also had a reunion in 2000 and the original line-up went into the studio in Leeds to re-record some earlier tracks, unfortunately it wasn’t a success, however, Mick was asked to play guitar on a track for Steve Gilbey on an album he was recording.
A close friendship had remained with his earlier musician friends and a suggestion by Andy Hackett led to the formation of ‘The Karsie Chiefs’ in 2005. This band featured Andy on guitar and Mick on bass, they were very popular with local musicians and played a number of live performances in the area.
Again, the band eventually split, but Andy and Mick wanted to continue, Rob Hackett was keen to leave his current band, so in 2014 ‘Radio Rental’ was born, with Andy on guitar and keyboards, Rob on bass and Trombone, Mick on guitar and bass.
Thanks to other friends who are part of this brief story that spans around 40 years!
Ray Whaley, guitarist & T.Rex nut.
Mick Leech, rhythm guitarist, Sister Bluebird.
Mick Chelly, guitar & vocals, Pipedream.
Clive Kilbey, guitar, Pipedream.
Andy Richards, drums, The Llamas.
Clarissa Vincent, bass guitar, The Llamas.
Nick Dybeck, drums, The Llamas.
Nick Neal, drums, The Llamas.
Graham Drury, bass guitar, The Llamas.
Jonathan Crook, vocals/guitar, The Karsie Chiefs.
Douggie Hay, drums, The Karsie Chiefs.
Graham Stevens, rhythm guitar, The Karsie Chiefs.
Dave Knight, drums, The Karsie Chiefs & Radio Rental.
Plus there are many other local musicians I have had the privilege of working with and have remained good friends over the years: Dave Colton, Mick Davison, Nick Smith, Trevor Williamson, Steve Gough.
I’m sure there are others I have missed, to you I apologise, yet thank you all.
It’s been an amazing journey!
Unfortunately he couldn’t play an instrument, but had several friends that could. Amongst his friends were the Hackett brothers, Rob & Andy. Rob could play bass guitar and Andy played guitar. They had formed a band called Sister Bluebird and needed a singer, so Mick had his first taste of performing live in 1974, as the vocalist. The band played a handful of gigs before disbanding and going their separate ways.
Mick was drafted in to Rob Hackett’s next band, ‘Pipedream’, initially for his enthusiasm as a roadie, then later on the mixing desk for live performances. Again, after a few live gigs, the band split up.
Another friend, guitarist Steve Gilbey introduced Mick to Alun Mountford another guitarist. Steve & Alun also wrote their own songs. Mick was drafted into the band as sound engineer also singing backing vocals from the mixing desk!
The band, eventually became known as ’The Llamas’ played a number of gigs in the area and also further afield, they also won a recording contract with a record company in 1980, however, after much negotiation the offer was turned down. The band continued for a short time with a slightly different line-up, but eventually folded in 1981.
Disillusioned by the music business, Mick sold his gear, mainly PA equipment, and started a new career as a Driving Instructor, which allowed him to follow his other interest of motor racing.
In the late 1990’s Mick became strongly influenced by Sheryl Crow and the desire to play guitar re-surfaced. This time he stuck with it, around 2003 he eventually moved over to bass guitar.
The Llamas also had a reunion in 2000 and the original line-up went into the studio in Leeds to re-record some earlier tracks, unfortunately it wasn’t a success, however, Mick was asked to play guitar on a track for Steve Gilbey on an album he was recording.
A close friendship had remained with his earlier musician friends and a suggestion by Andy Hackett led to the formation of ‘The Karsie Chiefs’ in 2005. This band featured Andy on guitar and Mick on bass, they were very popular with local musicians and played a number of live performances in the area.
Again, the band eventually split, but Andy and Mick wanted to continue, Rob Hackett was keen to leave his current band, so in 2014 ‘Radio Rental’ was born, with Andy on guitar and keyboards, Rob on bass and Trombone, Mick on guitar and bass.
Thanks to other friends who are part of this brief story that spans around 40 years!
Ray Whaley, guitarist & T.Rex nut.
Mick Leech, rhythm guitarist, Sister Bluebird.
Mick Chelly, guitar & vocals, Pipedream.
Clive Kilbey, guitar, Pipedream.
Andy Richards, drums, The Llamas.
Clarissa Vincent, bass guitar, The Llamas.
Nick Dybeck, drums, The Llamas.
Nick Neal, drums, The Llamas.
Graham Drury, bass guitar, The Llamas.
Jonathan Crook, vocals/guitar, The Karsie Chiefs.
Douggie Hay, drums, The Karsie Chiefs.
Graham Stevens, rhythm guitar, The Karsie Chiefs.
Dave Knight, drums, The Karsie Chiefs & Radio Rental.
Plus there are many other local musicians I have had the privilege of working with and have remained good friends over the years: Dave Colton, Mick Davison, Nick Smith, Trevor Williamson, Steve Gough.
I’m sure there are others I have missed, to you I apologise, yet thank you all.
It’s been an amazing journey!
Mick plays a Fender Stratocaster, in blue agave with Tex-Mex pick-ups, a custom double fat Stratocaster in galactic purple and a Fender Jazz fretless bass in sage green.
He uses Orange Amplifiers for both bass & guitar.
He uses Orange Amplifiers for both bass & guitar.
Along with his fellow members of Radio Rental, Mick has built a 24 track recording studio on the ground floor of his house.
The band regularly work on their recordings.
Links to recordings Mick has worked on can be found below.
The band regularly work on their recordings.
Links to recordings Mick has worked on can be found below.
At the mixing desk for The Llamas, 1981.
Links to current band:
Links to recordings:
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The Llamas, 1979.
Mick did their live sound and backing vocals. Blackwater Echo, 2002. Mick played extra guitar on 'Crushed.' Radio Rental, current band. Mick plays guitar and provides vocals. |
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