Formerly in the band Elviss, McConnell participates in a number of side-projects, such as the Phoenix Drive and playing double bass and piano with Irish singer/songwriter Fionn Regan as well as writing and recording solo material.

[3] He also appears in the video "Police on My Back" by UK grime artist Lethal Bizzle, playing bass.

McConnell is heavily involved with the Love Music Hate Racism movement, contributing a song with Babyshambles and Helsinki to a CD given away free with a copy of the NME in 2007, as well as playing at such events as the Love Music Hate Racism carnival with Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers.

McConnell also fronted the musical collective Mongrel with Jon McClure and members of Arctic Monkeys.

In 2015, he released another album called A Guide for the Perplexed, including the track "Choices" featuring Pete Doherty.