A Part & Yet Apart
Sheffield-based 80s proggers Haze have returned with a new studio album, The Water’s Edge – their third since their 2013 comeback record, The Last Battle. Prog catches up with threequarters of the band to discuss Haze’s DIY ethos, the curse of prog and playing to Cumbrian sheep farmers.
Words: Nick Shilton
Haze, close to the (water’s) edge.
Portrait: Jessie McMahon
“We see prog as abroad church. To me, aband that dabbles in alot of genres is as prog as you can get. I don’t think there should be atemplate of, ‘This is prog: push this button and you get prog.’”
Chris McMahon
Originally formed by brothers Paul and Chris McMahon in Sheffield way back in 1978, Haze have been a fixture of the music scene in a career spanning six decades, albeit with the occasional interregnum. While their longevity is impressive, it is by no means unique within the progressive world in 2024.
But, to cut to the chase, do the ever-eclectic Haze regard themselves as a prog band or not? Lead vocalist/guitarist Paul McMahon confronts the question head on without demur.
“It’s the closest [description]. We’re certainly not a heavy metal band. We’re more of a rock band that’s strayed into prog quite often.
I would argue that Peter Gabriel hasn’t done anything prog for a long time, but because of what he used to do, everyone knows that he does what he does and he’s Peter Gabriel.