How long as the band been together?:
The band was started in August 2003, however the current lineup has been together since December 2005
Band Website:
http://www.mongrelband.com
Band MySpace Profile:
http://myspace.com/mongrel
Do you have your music/video posted anywhere for fans to sample? If so, where:
http://www.myspace.com/mongrel
Band Bio:
Formed with the belief that “punk” meant freedom and not just a “spirit of ‘77 sound” or a certain fashion requirement, Mongrel was born in September 2003 with that freedom in mind that allows the blending of the intensity and energy of old school punk, with the memorable hooks and riffs of hard rock and the early 90’s seattle scene, and that extra biting edge of metal. Since that time the band’s evolutionary course and heavy schedule of shows have brought them to where they are today as one of “5 Bands to Watch” (Hippopress, March 2005) and one of “5 Bands to Discover” (Hippopress, November 2005) in the local music scene. National press has included a profile in Revolver Magazine’s Raw Talent section (November 2005) and the band were cited in Metal Edge Magazine by Acey Slade as “The hardest working band in Boston” (January 2006).
Mongrel has opened for such bands as the Misfits (twice), Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses), The Exploited, and Wednesday 13 (Murderdolls frontman), done a 4 date mini-tour with Michale Graves, and has played a dozen shows with Trash Light Vision (featuring Acey Slade, ex-Dope/Murderdolls/Amen). Mongrel was also one of the highest billed local bands on the 2005 New England Punk Goth and Metal Fest. The band has received airplay on WAAF, WFNX, WBCN, WHEB, WUML, and various other college and internet radio stations locally and around the world.
Sound best described as:
Aggressive punk/rock/metal Band Influences: Black Flag, Guns N’ Roses, Misfits, Sex Pistols, old Metallica, AMEN, Fear, Dead Boys, NIN, Anthrax, The Bronx, Dead Kennedys, etc..
If you could tour with any band, who would you pick?:
Gn’R, AMEN, Trash Light Vision, Misfits
Ultimate goal as a band?:
To perform and record the music we want to play without trying to be trendy, and to hopefully have enought people “get” what we’re doing that we can play music full-time, and most importantly, to continue having fun doing it.
Best gig:
Opening for the Misfits April 2005 (all ages show with incredible energy), or just this past weekend (march 5th w/ Trash Light Vision & Darkbuster) which was amazing with the amount of energy and sing-a-longs we had going.
Worst gig:
There’s been a few where there’s noone there, you just don’t feel good, and nothings going right but why dwell on that stuff.
Upcoming Gigs:
3/11- Merrimack NH (all ages)
3/25 - Fitchburg, MA
3/26 - Chelmsford, MA (all ages)
3/29 - Dover, NH w/ Dizzy Reed of Gn’R
4/2- Hartford, CT w/ Dizzy Reed of Gn’R (all ages)
4/3- Worcester, MA w/ Michale Graves (ex-Misfits)
4/4- New London, CT w/ Michale Graves
4/5- Dover, NH w/ Michale Graves
4/6- Somerville, MA w/ Michale Graves
4/22 - Gloucester, MA (all ages)
4/23 - Lunenburg, MA (all ages)
4/27 - Gardner, MA
4/28 - Chelmsford, MA
5/2 - Cambridge, MA
5/3 - Worcester, MA (w/ Piggy D of wednesday 13 and Theo & the Skyscrapers, ex-Lunachicks)
5/5 - Manchester, NH w/ Darkbuster (all ages)
5/7 - Chelmsford, MA w/ Piggy D of Wednesday13 (all ages)
Mongrel live
What sets you apart from other bands of today and what are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
I think we don’t really fit cleanly into a genre as we do bring in elements of hard rock and metal but we also approach our music and especially the live show like a punk band with full on energy and intensity. I think our work ethic, high energy shows, array of influences, and aggressive but catchy songs work together to make something unique.
As far as the current state of the music industry goes I think that as usual, there’s a lot of good underground music that is missed in the public eye due
to the force feeding of innane and boring pre-fab pop music . there are always those bands that rise up and show something special in that mainstream maelstrom and stand apart but for the most part the major labels are still doing what they do best which is pump out interchangable and equally forgetable “artists” which is why I believe the sales at these labels has decreased over the years, not due to downloading but due to poor product.
Are you politically active or involved with any causes?
Yes, we have played a Make-A-Wish foundation benefit show each of the last 2 years and expect to do so again this fall. We are also strong advocates for the West Memphis 3 (http://www.wm3.org) and have written a song about the case ("West Memphis Hell") and have helped promote discussion/awareness of the cause as well.
Final Words:
Thanks to everyone who supports local bands, underground music, and who has taken the time to check us out.
