|
Mike & The Ravens |
|
|
Saturday, 19 July 2008 |
 Very few American rock ‘n’ roll bands from the ‘60s still field their original lineup.
Even fewer predate the Beatles. Even fewer can claim to having never recorded
a cover. And none can boast this particular story, which even a Hollywood
screenwriter would deem implausible. Meet Mike & The Ravens!
In 1960, a quintet of Vermont teenagers started one of the first rock ‘n’ roll bands
in the Green Mountain State. The act formed around the vocals talents of
16-year-old Mike Brassard and the songwriting skills of 15-year-
old rhythm guitarist Steve Blodgett. With John “Bo” Blodgett
on lead guitar and Brian Lyford on bass along with Peter
Young on drums, the boys initially called themselves
Mike & The Throbs. The band signed to Empire
Records out of Plattsburgh, New York in the
spring of 1962. A name change was in order
and seeing as how the Blodgett brothers were
of a literary bent, Poe’s “The Raven” piqued
their interest and voila, Mike & The Ravens
emerged from their shell. They stormed
frat houses, lounges, barn dances and a
legendary venue called Rollerland, which
figures into their story until this very day.
Three 45s were recorded over the next
eight months although their greatest song
was never committed to wax at the time. The
Empire singles have since become collector’s
items, fetching hundreds of dollars apiece in some
instances. The songs have shown up on many different
garage compilations in the last few years, most notably
“Heart So Cold! The North Country ‘60s Scene” and a Mike &
The Ravens retrospective, “Nevermore: Plattsburgh ‘62 & Beyond,”
which included dozens of unreleased originals from the ‘60s.
One night in between sets at Plattsburgh’s roller-skating rink, Steve Blodgett
authored an ode to the venue. Although they attempted to record it the results
weren’t deemed up to snuff. A year and a half after the band’s demise their label
mates, The Twiliters, recorded a rip-snorting version of the song that has since
become legend. A staple of the garage underground, “Roller, Roller, Rollerland!” has
since been recorded by Untamed Youth for Norton Records as well as finding an
afterlife in a new century with contemporary bands like Los Angeles’ The Volcanics
covering it in the States and Helsinki’s Them Bird Things bringing it to Europe! But
alas no Ravens version.
So, why haven’t you heard of these guys? In September 1962, Steve Blodgett, Brian
Lyford and Peter Young broke into the Community Church in Stowe, Vermont at
midnight. They proceeded to play a rock ‘n’ roll LP over the steeple PA system. The
sounds of the Devil’s music was heard eight miles away, according to police reports!
The terrible trio was jailed for this act, splitting the band asunder. Until now...
In 2005, the definitive Mike & The Ravens configuration reformed and began
recording their debut album. Within six months, lead singer Mike Brassard fell
victim to a debilitating disease that rendered him speechless. Over the next year,
he had to learn to talk again, but finally roared out of the gates with the finest vocal
performances of the New Millennium.
Captured on magnetic tape at The Saxony (a mythic venue in upstate New York,
where the Ravens made their Empire State debut in 1962), the band was careful to
avoid the pitfalls of middle-age. No middle-class, middle-of-the-road Grandpa Rock for
these birds. Indeed, the new album, “Noisy Boys! The Saxony Sessions,” sounds like
Howlin’ Wolf fronting The Clash. They coughed up 12 originals – ensuring their track
record remained untarnished – that adhered to the spirit of Link Wray, Gene Vincent
and their original idols. And after nearly 50 years, Mike & The Ravens finally claimed
their teen anthem, “Roller, Roller, Rollerland!” for themselves.
Mike Brassard (lead vocals and rhythm guitar)
Bo Blodgett (lead guitar)
Steve Blodgett (rhythm guitar and backing vocals)
Brian Lyford (bass and backing vocals)
Peter Young (drums)
|
Press
Release: Mike & The Ravens: Noisy Boys! The Saxony Sessions
Official Release Date: August 12, 2008
Advanced copies available at: CDBaby
Press kit and promo CD available for review, feature story and airplay
Please contact Mike Brassard (941) 726-0062,
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Their first LIVE show since 1962 (!)
Le Divan Orange, Montreal, Quebec: September 26, 2008
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A Ruckus Caucus: Quotes About The Album
Great vocals... whacky guitar... a bit weird and wonderful... unpredictable... it's great! - Eddie Phillips, guitarist for freakbeat legends, The Creation
This is amazing... 21st Century rockabilly... I can't imagine Mike & The Ravens possibly sounding this good back in the 60s. They're better than before. Hats off to the friggen drummer! - Rick Brown, singer for psychedelic myths, The Misunderstood
One of my favorite finds... I can't remember the last time I heard that much energy in a recording from anyone, at any age. You've got to hear these guys to believe them... Keep your eyes and ears open for these guys - they give a whole new meaning to the term 60's punk! - Performing Songwriter magazine
Oh, dear, what have you done to your melodic '60s sound? This is dreadful... it sounds like a punk group with a load of noise! - Alan Taylor, Dusty Springfield band member (Sorry Charlie...only the noisiest boys get to be Ravens! ..... Mike)
Stunning... This is not "oldies but goodies," this is not retro, this is not even what I'd call a reunion disc, this is rockers playing hot shit rock 'n' roll, the music idiots used to call the Devil's music because it scared them... Do not miss this one! - Ugly Things magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Listen to the 1962 recordings at:
www.myspace.com/miketheravens
Interviews, fan mail and marriage proposals:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Marketing, sales and consumers:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Retailers, distributors and importers:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
ZOHO Music |
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Webpage: http://www.zohomusic.com/cds_detail.php?cds_id=69 |
| Location: Plattsburgh, New York, USA |
| Description: THE BAND THAT WASN'T THE BEATLES....They started playing RAW Rock 'n' Roll when Eisenhower was President and broke up 2 years later. They never played together again. Until 46 years later..... |
| |
|
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 August 2009 )
|
More Artists
-
08:22 - 24.08.2008
Genres >> Rock
Uncompromising, hard hitting, powerful guitar driven rock and roll
Weighing in at enormous decibels, from parts unknown.. Guzzler !!
well, if it must be known, Australia is the birth place to the ultimate hard rock experience, Guzzler, a 4 piece hard rock extravaganza, have earned their rock and roll dues…
Read more...
-
08:20 - 24.08.2008
Genres >> Folk
Wes and Victoria began their musical sojourn in San Antonio, Texas. Their first music business mentor was Augie Meyers, keyboardist and songwriter for the legendary band The Sir Douglas Quintet. Their initial lessons were conducted over piping hot bowls of caldo and Augie's homemade grilled cheese sandwiches where Augie explained…
Read more...
-
15:14 - 19.12.2008
Genres >> Pop
Terramara is the brainchild of Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter/keyboardist Rob Meany, who formed the group in 1998. Over the last ten years the band has released three full-length albums and won numerous awards for songwriting and performance. In addition to Rob Meany on keys and vocals, Terramara features Karl Koopman on guitar,…
Read more...
-
11:51 - 30.07.2007
Genres >> Rock
Enigmatic singer/songwriter Matt Langlois, aka the Welcome Matt, hinted at an early aptitude for music and a knack for crafting melody through an unusual childhood habit:compulsive humming. Even while in kindergarten, Matt distinguished himself by humming to everything, becoming the subject of parent-teacher conferences and causing consternation.
One of Matt's…
Read more...
-
08:16 - 02.06.2010
Genres >> Rock
proXima are an alternative rock band
based in Paris.
They set up the band in 2001 with a 1st album "music for pleasure". They self signed at their own label : Alcatraz production.
Now, after two albums (including "punk is dead" that got a track on french charts and major…
Read more...
-
19:13 - 11.02.2010
Genres >> Rock
As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Rome In A Day, an internationally touring melodic hard rock band from DC, couldn’t agree more. The name is a satire, intended to convey the point that in an industry where there is such a focus on instant gratification, great…
Read more...
-
00:58 - 24.07.2007
Genres >> Rock
Anyone who saw these guys open Bon Jovi's sold-out show at MCI Center knows why they're one of the most buzzed-about bands on the East Coast. Their award-winning songwriting, strong vocals, catchy melodies, and dynamic live performance are not to be missed."
- Jenni Chase, Washington's Z104/OnTap Magazine…
Read more...
-
01:54 - 05.09.2007
Genres >> Pop
Jessica Paige is a multi-award winning singer/songwriter from Melbourne. She plays solo and with her band of Paige Boys. Her style is alt-pop with a pinch of jazz.
Jessica has recently been profiled in Rolling Stone Magazine and her track "Under My Skin" added to the accompanying CD on the…
Read more...
-
01:12 - 13.04.2008
Genres >> Rock
The Waking was formed in early 2004 when John Kronenberger recruited Kurt Preus to fill in for a couple shows for his falling-apart band. After the shows were complete they just never stopped jammin. It took some time to complete and solidify the rest of the line-up. Eventually Mike Wooly…
Read more...
-
16:54 - 26.06.2009
Genres >> Pop
Four years after the release of his debut CD, "going somewhere", Todd Washko
returns with a new cast of characters and a deeper, richer sound for his
follow-up, "gone" Radionic Records, New Orleans.
Raised in Nashville, Washko became yet another refugee from the country wasteland of Music City in 1990…
Read more...
|
|
Latest Arrivals
Born of Scars is currently touring regionally to promote their latest release “Minor to Major”
Tuesday, 07 February 2012||
Born of Scars performed at
the Bamboozle Festival at Giants Stadium in May, Recently o...
Read more... | Italian rock band "Vaudeville & Bad Omens" CD studio album "Voyage"
Tuesday, 31 January 2012||
Italian rock band "Vaudeville & Bad Omens" started as a trial project in late 2008. It wa...
Read more... | "Something Utopic" Crunchy Rock, Shot Through With Darkness
Wednesday, 25 January 2012||
Something Utopic is a rock group that has evolved tremendously since its beginning in ear...
Read more... | "Sal Piamonte" A bastard rock child conceived in a Rock n' Roll orgy of sound and lyric
Wednesday, 11 January 2012||
“Ever seen the devil in a flowered dress?” hymns Piamonte on “WhatR...
Read more... | Sexy Heroes Combine Punk, Pop, Ska, Rock and Funk!
Monday, 09 January 2012||
The music business changes dramatically almost overnight! The focus should always be on i...
Read more... | The alternative rock band Dead Smiling Pirates release the new single
Tuesday, 03 January 2012||
Dead Smiling Pirates hails
from Copenhagen, Denmark. The three pirates set sail on the...
Read more... | Joey Stuckey Real-Life Guitar Hero Is Bringing the Music Back To Town
Thursday, 29 December 2011||
Official Ambassador of Music for Macon, Georgia—Home of the “Southern Sound...
Read more... | Fasha, The New Face of Alternative Rock
Thursday, 22 December 2011||
Fasha isn't just rock music, Fasha is a rock experience.
Fasha has a universal con...
Read more... | Phil Common Delivers An Eclectic Mix Of Gritty, Thoughtful Songs
Wednesday, 21 December 2011||
Phil common — Born in NYC to a union leader and Juilliard graduate phil was steeped...
Read more... | Rory Wolman & His Girls, Monique and SJanel
Tuesday, 20 September 2011||
Rory Wolman has had the honor of writing, Producing & Arranging 49 Albums across every g...
Read more... |
|
Indie Artist Directory 
