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Mike & The Ravens |
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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)
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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,
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Their first LIVE show since 1962 (!)
Le Divan Orange, Montreal, Quebec: September 26, 2008
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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
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Listen to the 1962 recordings at:
www.myspace.com/miketheravens
Interviews, fan mail and marriage proposals:
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Marketing, sales and consumers:
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Retailers, distributors and importers:
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ZOHO Music |
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| 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..... |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 August 2009 )
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