Richard McNamara | |
|---|---|
 McNamara in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 23 October 1972 Mytholmroyd, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Rock, Britpop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards |
Richard McNamara (born 23 October 1972 in Mytholmroyd, West Riding of Yorkshire)[1] is a British musician and record producer, best known as the guitarist and co-lead vocalist for Embrace. He and his older brother, Danny, grew up in the village of Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse near Halifax.
Richard and Danny McNamara attended Hipperholme Grammar School in nearby Hipperholme with their brother Jonathan.[2][3]
According to Danny, as a child Richard was nicknamed 'Firestarter' as he was fascinated with fire and was always playing with a box of matches.[4]
McNamara was initially the drummer for a thrash metal garage band called Gross Misconduct in his teens. It is believed that Embrace began when his brother barged into a session and started telling him and his bandmates what to do.[5]
Although McNamara has worked with his brother in writing many of the band's songs, he only single-handedly sings a few songs. Most notably "One Big Family" and "Hooligan" which were both issued as singles; also "I Want The World" on the band's début album.
In 2018, McNamara (alongside Embrace members, Steve Firth, Mike Heaton and Mickey Dale) collaborated with Preston-based songwriter, Mark Whiteside [Evil Blizzard] under Whiteside's pre-existing solo project, One Sided Horse. An album ["Between Light and Space"] was recorded and produced by Mickey Dale and released on UK Independent Label, Butterfly Effect.[6][7]
- ^ "findmypast.co.uk". search.findmypast.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "I almost died: Lead singer of Brighouse band Embrace Danny McNamara on his mental health struggle – Huddersfield Examiner". examiner.co.uk. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "Fans embrace their heroes – Halifax Courier". halifaxcourier.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "Danny and Richard McNamara | The Sunday Times". thesundaytimes.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ Larkin, C. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 2006. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ "'Lancashire Telegraph'". www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. 15 September 2016.
- ^ https://butterflyeffect1.bandcamp.com/ [bare URL]