McQueen Street
McQueen Street was a hard rock band from Montgomery, Alabama, consisting of Derek Welsh on lead vocals, Richard Hatcher on bass, Michael Powers on guitar, and Derek's brother Chris Welsh on drums.
McQueen Street | |
|---|---|
 McQueen Street's original lineup, 1991. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Montgomery, Alabama |
| Genres | Hard rock, Arena Rock, Heavy Metal |
| Years active | 1987–1993, 2002-2004, 2018-Present |
| Labels | SBK, EMI, Ring of Four |
| Associated acts | The Rat Race |
| Website | mcqueenstreet.com |
| Members | Derek Welsh |
| Past members | Chris Welsh Richard Hatcher Michael Powers |
Background
Formed in 1987, McQueen Street, originally known as "Klass", was very successful on the southeast rock music club circuit. The idea for the name "McQueen Street" came from the street of which Derek's recording studio was located. In 1990, after the name was changed to McQueen Street, the band was signed to a record deal with SBK Records.
The band's debut album, titled "McQueen Street", was produced by Tom Werman with additional production from Steve Stevens of Billy Idol. Steve and Derek wrote and performed on "Two Worlds". Two songs, Money and My Religion had music videos that were played on MTV's Headbangers Ball. "In Heaven" reached #32 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart in early 1992.
With the grunge movement of the early 1990s, most bands whose music was based on 1980s-style rock were no longer popular. Radio stations and MTV ceased to play most mainstream rock, causing the second album not to be released. The group disbanded shortly thereafter.
Driven by the cause that he wanted to go in a different musical direction, singer Derek Welsh then formed the band The Rat Race, a group edging towards psychedelic rock. The band released 2 studio albums Alice (1993) and Uncle Jim's Secret Garden (1995). In 1997, The Rat Race released Live Unelectrified, a live recording from Columbus, GA. The band toured the US as a support act for numerous headliners including The Dave Matthews Band, Blues Traveller & Widespread Panic for the remainder of the 1990s before breaking up in 2000.
After struggling with drug addiction and the long and taxing process of recovery, Derek's brother and former drummer Chris Welsh passed away in 1994 due to a viral illness.
The second McQueen Street album was released in 2003 with Ring of Four Records after singer and lead songwriter Derek Welsh acquired the rights from EMI. Ring of Four Records is owned by Derek Welsh & his affiliates.
Members
Current members
- Derek Welsh - lead vocals, guitar (1986-1993, 2002-2004, 2018-Present)
Past members
- Michael Powers - guitar, backing vocals (1986-1993)
- Richard Hatcher - bass guitar, backing vocals (1986-1993)
- Chris Welsh - drums (1986-1993: died 1994)
Discography
Studio Albums
- McQueen Street - 1991
- McQueen Street 2 - 2003
Singles & EPs
- Time - 1991
- In Heaven - 1991
- My Religion (Radio Edit) - 1991
- McQueen Street Sampler - 1991
- World Machine - 2003
- Bad Moon - 2003
References
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/1485830-McQueen-Street
- https://melodic-hardrock.com/bios/mcqueen-street/
- https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/band/McQueen_Street
- https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/mcqueen_street
- https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/mcqueen-street-mcqueen-street-3/
- https://heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/glamcd.cgi?BandNum=630&CDName=McQueen+Street
- https://sleazeroxx.com/mcqueen-street-singer-derek-welsh-in-a-coma-after-fall/
- http://www.melodic-rock.com/interviews/mcqueenstreet.html
- http://www.melodicrock.com/archive/showcase/mcqueenstreet-2.html