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Band Members
Mike
Programmer by day, Riff wizard by night. Mike joined Harlequin’s Kiss in 2015 during his final year of university and has contributed to many of the bands songs with his heavy guitar zones since. Universally agreed on as the coolest member of the band he is also the only one who knows how to edit the content on this site.
Rob
Co-founder and lead singer Rob McDermott is the centre point of the band, his enormous stage presence presence matched by a voice that is as comfortable with a snarl as it is with smooth, powerful notes. Besides writing lyrics for the band, he is ablogger, an occasional pro-wrestling
journalist, and a short fiction author.
Mac
Mac has spent many years in and around the music scene, mainly in the background working with bands on videos and promotional materials. Finally convinced to take to the stage he joined Harlequin’s Kiss and brought with him a heavy dose of those classic rock sounds he loves with hard riffs and chugging rhythms, although he has also been known to wander off into funk territory.
Ed
With a bass voice and an electric double bass on stage, Edmund Kirby underpins the band’s foundations in more ways than one. He has been with the band since its very beginnings, and also acts as their booking contact. As if he hasn’t suffered enough, he is also the keeper of the band
mascot, Edward
Edward
A scruffy bear who has found a new lease of life as the band’s mascot (mostly because Rob was fool enough to write a song about him), Edward has chosen an existence as a drunken hedonist when he’s not supporting the band on stage. Lock up your dollies when he’s around…
(Our legal team feels compelled to point out that everything that has happened in toy cupboards across the Midlands has been entirely consensual.)
Matt
Matt Whalen discovered a love of drums when he began his musical life in the percussion section of a marching band. He started playing the kit in 2008 and hasn’t stopped playing since. Returning to the Midlands after studying music at university in Bristol, he now underscores the band’s rhythm section with a heavy back beat.
About The Band
Harlequin’s Kiss is a hard rock originals act with a reputation across the Midlands for the highest standards of musicianship and a massive stage presence. Embracing a wide range of influences and playing heavy blues guitar riffs, they rock a sound like the illegitimate lovechildren of AC/DC and Queen. Harlequin’s Kiss released their debut EP “Playing Rough” in the May of 2016 and have recently begun work on a full album that is expected to drop in 2019.
Since first taking the stage in 2012, Harlequin’s Kiss have played some of the West Midlands’ best-loved venues, including the Actress and Bishop, The Hare & Hounds, and Wolverhampton’s Slade Rooms. They were popular regulars at the Roadhouse’s legendary open mic nights, and off the back of those performances made appearances at rock showcase events as well as headlining at the venue twice. In 2016 they were chosen to open the first ever live music event at The Hammer and the Anvil. In the September of 2018 Harlequin’s Kiss opened the wildly successful night “A Kiss with Destiny” for Mr. Blade Promotions at the Flapper in Birmingham.
Formed by singer Rob McDermott and bassist Edmund Kirby, the band began life rehearsing at the back of the Lamp Tavern in Digbeth. From humble beginnings, Harlequin’s Kiss has become one of the most respected acts in the Midlands, stealing shows across Birmingham, the Black Country, and Leicester. Guitarist Mike Rennison joined the band in 2015 and has become an indispensable writer and performer. New drummer Matt Whelan and rhythm guitarist Mac debuted in the Autumn of 2018.
Early shows took place at the Gunmaker’s Arms in central Birmingham. The pub was a centre for Birmingham’s Czech and Slovak communities at the time, and the band were so popular with both British and European regulars that they have continued to be a returning feature under the pub’s new management. As well as gaining an international profile, Harlequin’s Kiss cemented national attention when they made their debut appearance at the Crumblin’ Cookie in Leicester, playing the after party of the inaugural RvB UK event. The band were considered by attendees to be one of the highlights of the weekend.