McCarthy

McCarthy were a band from the late 80's / early 90's originating in Barking, Essex, England and consisting of Gary Baker on drums, Malcolm Eden on guitar and vocals, Tim Gane on lead guitar, John Wi

McCarthy were a band from the late 80's / early 90's originating in Barking, Essex, England and consisting of Gary Baker on drums, Malcolm Eden on guitar and vocals, Tim Gane on lead guitar, John Williamson on bass guitar, and, toward the very end of the group's career, Laetitia Sadier on backup vocals. Tim later married Laetitia and the two went on to form Stereolab, for which they are more famous. Malcolm also served as lyricist, and it was the combination of his politically charged lyrics and Tim's poppy guitar work that ultimately determined McCarthy's sound.

Named for the infamous U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy, who led the Communist witch hunt there in the 1950's, McCarthy were ironic to say the least. Due to their chosen name and politically charged lyrics, as often satirically far right as they were sincerely far left, as well as their rumored association with the Revolutionary Communist Party in England, most critics were quick to label McCarthy as Marxist or anarchist rock and roll. The band, for their part, didn't take themselves quite as seriously. Malcolm's lyrics are filled to bursting with irony, humour, and contradiction. Moreover, one would be hard pressed to find one of McCarthy's songs where the speaker is truly representative of any of the band member's own political views.