Lee Mavers
Lee A. Mavers at The Picket in Liverpool. December 21 1999. Photo credit: A. Waters
Background information
Birth name	Lee Anthony Mavers
Born	August 02, 1962 (1962-08-02) (age 45)
Origin	Liverpool, England
Genre(s)	Alternative rock, rock 'n' roll
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1984 - present
Associated acts	The La's
Website	http://www.thelas.org

Lee Mavers (born 2 August 1962 in Liverpool, England) is the frontman for the Liverpudlian group, The La's.

Mavers is the songwriter, singer, and rhythm guitarist in this critically acclaimed band, who are best-known for the smash hit "There She Goes" in their late 1980s heyday.

Mavers gained a reputation for perfectionism and eccentricity in the music press for his famed scrapping of multiple versions of the band's debut album, and often came across as dry, acerbic and stubborn in interviews, although with a clearly defined notion of music as he thought it should be - genuine, rootsy, and authentic. In earlier press interviews, however, Mavers was often enthusiastic, witty, driven, and informed, but eventually became more withdrawn and caustic before choosing to drop out of the limelight altogether. This wilful blackout of probing interviews from the likes of Q magazine and NME led to his establishment as a seldom-seen "recluse".

Obsessing over the group's troubled recording efforts between 1987 to 1992, Mavers eventually retreated back to his Liverpool home after the release of The La's' eponymous debut, his perception of the music industry highly soured by the fact the release was not a version of the album he wished to be made public. It is rumoured that at this point he started to indulge too much in various drugs, and a few hectic 1994 and 1995 live dates supporting Paul Weller and Dodgy were a shambles, only confirming such rumours in the eyes of many.

More silence in the music press followed barring one highly disturbing NME interview, full of babble and bizarre imagery. Mavers was at this point allegedly writing and recording new material for no one but himself, occasionally playing with other Liverpool musicians, although most of his time was likely spent just bringing up his children, rather than anything particularly sinister or noteworthy.

Although saddled with several negative rumoured traits in rock lore - an alleged heroin addict, varying degrees of sanity (or the lack of it), numerous tales painting him as mentally imbalanced and impossibly tortured over his music - Lee Mavers is certainly one of the more eccentric and influential figures in English rock'n'roll, having been cited by the likes of Oasis, Travis, Pete Doherty and Paul Weller as an influence.

In a 1999 interview, he criticized former bassist John Power's band Cast, labeling them pure garbage. At the time, Cast was releasing their third album Magic Hour which began Cast's decline and eventual split.

In late 2003 a book about Mavers and his band was released, In Search of The La's : A Secret Liverpool which did contain a 2000 dated interview with Mavers discussing his band and what he intends to do with his music. While providing insight into Mavers' personality, the book ends on an ambiguous note concerning his return to music.

Rumours of a La's reunion have been persistent since the band originally dropped out of public view in 1992, but it was only in 2004 that, following Mavers' rekindling of friendship with ex-La's bassist and Cast frontman John Power, such rumours actually had any stock.

In March 2005 The La's announced dates in England and Ireland, their first in a decade, along with festivals sets such as Glastonbury and the Summer Sonic festival in Japan, with the line-up of Lee Mavers (vocals, guitar), John Power (bass), Jay Lewis of the band Cracatilla (guitar) and Nick Miniski (drums). The set generally consisted of old songs with new songs performed as encores, including the perennial favourite "There She Goes". The drummer was quickly replaced by Mavers' old schoolfriend Jasper, and live reviews have generally been favourable. The La's' return may have been surprising, but Mavers' attitude being completely unchanged perhaps less so - the band are yet to conduct any interviews or features with the music press.

Mavers is an enthusiastic supporter of Everton, and resides in the Huyton area of Liverpool with his partner and four children.

References