Maypole
Welcome to The Maypole Homepage
This is the site of 'The Real' Maypole, founded in the summer of '69, Our named has been stolen by four bands in four countries, and we are concerned about the confusion this must cause for our fans. We are the one and only Original Maypole Band. We invite you to read on and learn what was behind the group.
Dedicated to The Original Maypole
The late-1960s found singer/guitarist Steve Mace, percussionist Kenny Ross, and drummer Paul Welsh playing in the Baltimore-based band 'The Paupers' (not to be confused with the Canadian band of the same name). Following the band's collapse the trio continued their partnership, Joining forces with bassist John Nickel and singer/multi-instrumentalist Dennis Tobell(Demian Bell) to their lineup. Tobell had an extensive resume, including stints in former 'The Moss', 'The Rogues', Van Morrison's touring band, a late inning line up of The 'Barbarians' and 'Good Grief.' Having set their lineup in 1969 the band began performing as Maypole (the name nicked from the famous Nathaniel Hawthorne book). Playing local dances and teen clubs found the quintet attracting a growing fan base which attracted the attention of producer/songwriter Jerry Ross who promptly signed them to his newly formed MGM-affiliated Colossus label. They recorded the album in New York's famed A&R Studios.
Produced by Pat Perticone and completed in less than 20 hours over a three day period, (because he could pocket the money saved from only using 3 days of the ten day budget) 1971's "The Real" was musically diverse, but had more than it's share of interesting moments. Clocking in at over 50 minutes, the collection offered up an interesting mix of Hendrix-styled hard rock, Yardbirds-styled blues rock with an occasional psych move thrown in. Certainly a reflection of the times. To grab a quote from Welsh's extensive liner notes: "Maypole intends to combine the techniques of literature in lyrics and structure with the feeling generated by our music to communicate the "real" to an unlimited audience Largely penned by Tobell and Welsh, side one offered up a sidelong suite that some folks might have mistaken as progressive, but was actually quite commercial. Tracks like 'Show Me The Way', 'Henry Stared' and and even the rocker 'Johnny' retained a distinctive commercial sheen, complete with strong melodies and some nice group harmonies.
To Order Maypole T-Shirts,Caps,Mugs and other Items,click on the Cafe press Ikon below.
To purchase Mp3 versions and Ringtones of Maypole 'The Real' at Music.com
Visit us at www.myspace.com/maypolewithdemianbell
Maypole Album Re-released on CD and Vinyl LP
In 2006 the Maypole album'The Real' was re-released on CD by Gear Fab Records and a new clear vinyl Lp version was released by Anopheles Records to critical acclaim and immediately started to get airplay on various FM radio stations both commercial and college.
Maypole
The Next Maypole Album to be released in the fall of 2007 on Gear Fab Records
The next Maypole album 'Mean Green' will be released in the fall on Gear Fab Records.The label that re-released the Maypole 'The Real' album in 2006. The Album was recorded in Baltimore and Florida and produced by Dennis Tobell(Demian Bell) with original songs written by the same person who wrote 90% of the first album.
