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Photo special to The Gamecock After Mighty McFly guitarist Nikki Lixx and drummer Jeremy left the band this summer, lead singer Brent put together an all-new, all-male lineup. The band, which is working on a new album and playing an eight-state tour, is slated to play at USC on Tuesday during orientation week. Mighty McFly back after makeover ( Brindy (Ilcnair - THE GAMECOCK Just when you thought Mighty McFly couldn’t get any better, two more members bail. That’s right. This summer, guitarist Nikki Lixx and drummer Jeremy left- Mighty McFly to pursue other interests. So, with only lead vocalist/gymnast Brent left, what’s a band to do? Get four cool new people and truck on, that’s what. If it weren’t for the suit-clad Brent climbing speakers or the ‘80s hits blaring from them, Mighty McFly might be mistaken for an entirely different band. The most notable characteristic ■__ of the group is its lack of feminine stage presence. Despite the lack of “T & A,” Mighty McFly fans have stood by their band. “I was really worried about it,” Brent said about the all-male lineup during an interview at the Wild Wing Cafe in Augusta, Ga. Apparently, there was nothing to w'brry about. Since the new lineup began touring nearly two months ago, fans have welcomed the newcomers with open arms. “We are thrilled beyond belief with the piles of people who come out and accept the new faces,” said new guitar/bass player SnakkDaddy. Fans are important to the success of any artist or band, and the men of Mighty McFly have taken notice of fan support. “We would like to personally thank the fans,” Brent said. The guys of Mighty McFly also notice differences with the new lineup, including, as keyboardist Jason Vaine pointed out, “less bathroom breaks on the road.” “We’re much more musically solid,” Brent said. Before the new lineup went into effect, certain aspects of McFly’s performance had begun to wan, Brent said, including energy and musicianship. “That’s all back now,” he said. Mighty McFly can definitely boast about better musicianship. “(SnakkDaddy) and Anar split guitar and bass throughout the night,” said Brent, who also occasionally takes command of the bass. Everyone in the band is credited as a vocalist, which “allows certain people to sing songs they’re more suited for,” SnakkDaddy said. The men of Mighty McFly also have talents outside music. Drummer Jeremy was a landscaper before he joined the group, Brent has a degree in accounting and bass/guitar player Anar is a lawyer. However, the decision to play music is not a difficult one. “I chose music way before,” said Anar, who had been playing local gigs in Los Angeles before becoming part of Mighty McFly. “A bunch of us have worked day jobs,” SnakkDaddy said. “Why do that when you could do this?” As to why he joined Mighty McFly, SnakkDaddy said, “This was something completely different. We were like ‘Hell yeah! We want to be part of McFly.’” In addition to covering ‘80s hits, Mighty McFly is also working on an original album and is scheduled to be in the studio early next year. The upcoming album was a deciding factor in who joined the band. “Everyone was picked for personality and what they can bring to the table for the new album,” Brent said. “It’s about playing songs everybody would like and writing songs everybody would like.” Until they enter the studio, McFly will continue touring Their touring schedule takes them to eight states, as far north as Illinois, as far south as Florida and as far west as Louisiana. Mighty McFly is slated to play at USC on Tuesday during^ orientation week. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm. sc. edu 6DLlNfY 1V, ENTS ONLY! !C purchasToTs^ ar.» skw _ ONE PER PURCHASE) gg ——- shaar door^ x VCriTOnwireless $3S SKSKr'""0 VERIZ0N WRELESS AMPH,THEATRE B0X omCE ^‘.MPH.THE.TRi £™gg 1 — charlotte f. .1Bg| . I . ilHHi ^■ t' -- --- - ■ «r - i 4 _ THE BIGGEST BACK TO SCHOOL TER SALE Where: RUSSELL HOUSE UNIVERSITY UNION I 2nd Floor Lobby When: Mon. Aug. 22 thru Fri. Aug. 26 Time: 9 A.M.-5 PM Sponsor: , RUSSELL HOUSE UNIVERSITY UNION j I ' Only $6, $7 and $8