ORIGIN
TALK’S CHEAP
It all begins with an idea. Maverick was founded by David Balfour, Ryan Sebastian Balfour and Chris Van Engelen, in a small room with an electric drum kit, 2 guitars and a flaming ambition to be in a famous rock band and tour the world. They wrote a few songs, before bringing Mike Ross in on drums and Tony Curran on bass. After playing a number of shows around Ireland, the next port of call was to record an EP. Just before recording, Maverick parted ways with Tony and went into Railways Studios to take their first steps in fulfilling their dream…
QUID PRO QUO
Not long after recording their debut EP, ‘Talk’s Cheap’, Maverick sent out press packs to all of the record labels they could find and sure enough, one replied, German record Label, Massacre Records. They signed Maverick to a one album deal That was the next tick on their checklist, which allowed them the chance to release their debut album worldwide on a credible label. With change in circumstances, there was also a change in the band. Maverick gained bass player, Richie Diver, guitarist Ric Cardwell and lost a guitarist and founding member, Chris Van Engelen. To bring their sound up to a professional level, they needed a professional studio. Producer, Neal Calderwood of Manor Park Studio brought their sound to life and the result was ‘Quid Pro Quo’.
THE NEXT LEVEL…
BIG RED
After the release of ‘Quid Pro Quo’, Maverick went on their first tour with Swedish band, ‘The Poodles’. that was the next box ticked. The tour was a great success making many business relationships, fans and lifelong friendships. The tour manager, Eddy Freiberger called a meeting with Maverick during the tour. He offered a three album record contract with Metalapolis Records and an offer of band management. Maverick accepted both graciously and now had the tools they needed to take the world by storm. They recorded ‘BIG RED’ with 2 guest musicians, Kane Roberts formerly of ‘Alice Cooper’ and Jakob Samuels, the singer of Swedish rock band ‘The Poodles’.
COLD STAR DANCER
With the departure of Mike Ross who was one third of the songwriting trio, whom had been in the band since their first show, Maverick were unsure of how their sound would be affected without his writing contribution. He had been an instrumental part of not only songwriting but the whole feel of the band. Maverick also parted ways with Ric Cardwell. The boys hired Terry McHugh on guitar and Jonny Millar on drums. Terry left the band just after their tour with TREAT. The Balfour brothers were now on their own to write the music. Dave and Ryan very quickly realized that the loss of Mike would not hinder the songwriting at all, but instead enable the brothers to write the music the way they always wanted and Cold Star Dancer was the result. It was by far the best reviewed album to date. Steve Moore from ‘Stormzone’ helped the guys out for over a year until they found a permanent replacement.
ETHEREALITY
After some reflecting, Maverick decided to bring back former guitarist Ric Cardwell, as the band dynamic had never been the same since his departure. At the end of 2019, Jonny Millar left the world of music on good terms with the band. When COVID hit the Balfour brothers saw positivity where others did not. This would be the time to refine the Maverick sound to one, they had always envisioned. The new album would encompass everything they always wanted to produce, and decided to change studio for the first time since ‘Quid Pro Quo’, and record at Einstein Studios where Frankie and Jake McClay brought their many years of experience to bring the album to life.
THE PRESENT
Silver Tongue
Silver Tongue was a pivotal point in the bands career. After coming out of COVID in one piece, and weathering the fallout of backed up tour schedules for a few years, Maverick had been off the radar for a while. Silver Tongue is what came out of it, refining their sound further, and changing the way things were done. Guitarist, Ryan Sebastian Balfour, took to being the main producer for the album, with drums being recorded in USA, and Lead vocals, mixing and mastering being completed at Neal Calderwoods, Manor Park Studio. This changed the whole recording process for the band and gave a whole new feel to the record as a result. This album will be Mavericks biggest drive yet, to push the band to the next level. This is going to prove to everyone that Maverick are very much at the top of their game.