THE MALLETT BROTHERS BAND
''LAND''
APRIL 26 2013
37:45
1. Blue Ridge Parkway/2:23
2. Farmer's Tan/3:55
3. All Kinds of Crazy/3:20
4. Take It Slow/3:38
5. In the Fold/4:28
6. Little Bit of Mud/4:01
7. Goodnight/3:37
8. Somethin' to Lean On/4:26
9. Getaway Queen/4:23
10. Piece of Land/3:34
WALLY WENZEL
Wally Wenzel cut his musical teeth playing bar bands in Vermont in the early 1980's, as the punk scene was blossoming and the small towns of Vermont provided ample inspiration for hard rocking and hard partying. He played in a variety of rock bands throughout the 90's and 00's, all while working as a sound engineer for a variety of Portland, Maine's premier music venues as well as for such acts as Rustic Overtones and Soulive; as well as producing/engineering albums for a number of acts including Boombazi and Bass Box. His most recent musical venture prior to joining MBB in 2009 was as a leader in The Horror, a breed of death-lounge-rock that acquired a fiercely, and enduringly, loyal local following. He serves as one of the band's multi-talents, contributing as a songwriter, a player of dobro, electric guitar, keys and more, and engineer/producer.
NATE SOULE
Nate Soule's musical experience envelopes the whole spectrum. A member of the Maine State Boys' Choir as a young man (and performing a solo at Merrill Auditorium at age 7, he had mastered the guitar and begun to play rock and roll shows by age 17, continuing to perform as a frontman, vocalist, bass player and guitar player with such acts as The Press, and The Awesome, among others. His engineering skills (Nate has worked as a sound engineer for a number of venues throughout New England), his multi-instrumental chops, his peerless high harmonies, and his solid songwriting contributions (Nate was responsible for "Take It Back" off the band's 2010 debut, as well as "Paper Cut" off their 2011 release, "Low Down"), have made Nate an indelible part of MBB since Day 1. He tears things up on the electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, pump organ, percussion, and vocals; while simultaneously holding the role of co-producer/engineer.
NICK LEEN
Nick Leen is the assbag responsible for forming the band of miscreants known as The Mallett Brothers Band when, while Will was crashing on the couch at Luke and Nick's apartment, he resolved for the three of them to jam more frequently. As songs began to form, Nick brought together Nate, Wally, and Brian, each of whom he had worked with on previous projects, choosing the musicians based more than anything on their capacity to "hang." Previously to MBB, Nick was a member of favorite local funk/rock group Boombazi, along with Luke and Nate. He plays the bass guitar, sometimes the keys, and has contributed a fair number of gem lines for a variety of tunes. Famous for his on-stage boot-stomp, Nick once stomped the sole off of his boot during a show, a feat met with a fair number of ooohs and aaahs.
BRIAN HIGGINS
When first approached by Will to possibly play drums in just-then-forming Mallett Brothers Band, Brian's was a curt reply: "I don't play country." A punk/metal/rock drummer since the mid-1980's, Brian's initial forays into the rock and roll world were accompanied by a wardrobe of big hair, leather pants and tank tops -- fashion traits he has thankfully since abandoned. He has performed with an impressively multitudinous selection of Maine rock acts including High-Fivin' White Guys, Lost Cause Desperadoes, Colepitz, Rocktopus, and The Horror (with Wenzel), among others. Of course, his first reluctant appearance at an early Mallett Brothers Band rehearsal was enough to twist his arm about joining the band, and he now holds down the rhythm section with his distinctive fast-brushing style (he had never touched a pair of brushes before joining MBB) and furious, heavy-metal-forged right foot.
LUKE MALLETT
One of two members of MBB that's a son of famed folk singer David Mallett, Luke began playing music as soon as he could walk. In the Mallett house, with instruments perpetually slumbering on various pieces of furniture like cats, it was easy enough. Early forays on the piano and bass guitar placed him in a number of hardcore bands in high school before he eventually joined Lab Seven, long regarded as one of the premier hip hop acts in Portland, Maine; and, finally, Boombazi, where he joined Leen and Soule in the mid-2000's. A lyrical firehose, Luke's hip hop background is credited by some as the source of his distinctive vocal and lyrical style that makes him one of the favorite vocalists (of any genre) in the Portland, Maine music scene.
WILL MALLETT
Will Mallett is a founding member of TMBB and one of the group's primary songwriters. He first picked up a guitar at about age 4 and despite his best efforts to get out of the family business by attending a liberal arts school and contemplating such professions as the military, law school and academia, fate has a funny way of doing its thing.
It was when Will moved to Portland, Maine to crash on his brother's couch and started trying to get Luke into bluegrass and traditional country music that their collaborative songwriting efforts first began. Bring a bunch of rock musicians into that mix and that's pretty much how we got where we are.
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
The Mallett Brothers Band is an alt-country/rock band from Portland, Maine.
No Depression says they "make you want to scream at people to make them aware of the awesomeness that they are more than likely missing."
Dispatch Magazine calls them a "six-piece living inferno."
They have been “gobbling up accolades like sunflower seeds” since their 2009 inception, according to the Portland Press Herald.
They were voted Best Local Act, Best Live Act, Best Roots Act, and won additional awards for Best Local Album (Low Down) and Best Song (Low Down) in the 2012 Portland Phoenix Best Music Poll. They were voted Best Local Act, Best Live Act, and had their debut album named Best Local Album in the 2011 Phoenix BMP, after their first full year of playing together. They were nominated for "Best Emerging Artist" of 2011 by Deli Magazine, Boston, and "Best Band/Act in Maine" in the 2011 New England Music Awards.
They won the 2011 Oxford Rockin’ Country Showdown Competition, garnering them a $25K grand prize (which went almost entirely to gas and van repairs to support their busy tour schedule); their debut record was the top-selling local CD in Bull Moose Music in 2010; and their sophomore release, “Low Down,” was featured on several year-end best-of lists this past December, nationally as well as locally.
Drawing from an array of influences including rock and roll, folk, blues, bluegrass, neo-traditional and classic country and even punk, MBB are known for high-intensity live performances. They've played national festivals as well as sold-out venues ranging from grange halls to rock clubs throughout the Northeast U.S.
They’ve been featured on WCYY, WBLM, WTHT, MPBN, WCLZ, and Nashville.com Country Radio, stations whose specialties run the gamut from mainstream country to hard rock to adult contemporary, and podcasts including the Americana Rock Mix, Freezing Process, Nine Bullets Radio, Freight Train Boogie, and RootHog Radio, among others.
The Portland Phoenix says “This band projects a self-assuredness that’s infectious in a world where it’s becoming harder and harder to find things that are real and genuine.” The Wire says “Put simply, this is a damn good band.” Hidden Track says “a most welcome discovery.” The Orris says “a band to watch.” The Portland Press Herald says “Scour the songs [on “Low Down”] for layered hipster nuance, and you’ll later be smoking cloves wondering what just blew past you.” Deli Magazine says of their live performances, “I guarantee you a kick-ass time, a hangover, and a crush that won’t quit.” They’ve also been called “amazing” (Piscataquis Observer), “luminaries” (NonAlignmentPact), “mighty,” and “as real as the dirt on the bottoms of your shoes” (Press Herald). At their March 2011 performance at Portland’s Port City Music Hall, more alcohol was allegedly consumed than at any other local show in the venue’s history.
''LAND''
APRIL 26 2013
37:45
1. Blue Ridge Parkway/2:23
2. Farmer's Tan/3:55
3. All Kinds of Crazy/3:20
4. Take It Slow/3:38
5. In the Fold/4:28
6. Little Bit of Mud/4:01
7. Goodnight/3:37
8. Somethin' to Lean On/4:26
9. Getaway Queen/4:23
10. Piece of Land/3:34
WALLY WENZEL
Wally Wenzel cut his musical teeth playing bar bands in Vermont in the early 1980's, as the punk scene was blossoming and the small towns of Vermont provided ample inspiration for hard rocking and hard partying. He played in a variety of rock bands throughout the 90's and 00's, all while working as a sound engineer for a variety of Portland, Maine's premier music venues as well as for such acts as Rustic Overtones and Soulive; as well as producing/engineering albums for a number of acts including Boombazi and Bass Box. His most recent musical venture prior to joining MBB in 2009 was as a leader in The Horror, a breed of death-lounge-rock that acquired a fiercely, and enduringly, loyal local following. He serves as one of the band's multi-talents, contributing as a songwriter, a player of dobro, electric guitar, keys and more, and engineer/producer.
NATE SOULE
Nate Soule's musical experience envelopes the whole spectrum. A member of the Maine State Boys' Choir as a young man (and performing a solo at Merrill Auditorium at age 7, he had mastered the guitar and begun to play rock and roll shows by age 17, continuing to perform as a frontman, vocalist, bass player and guitar player with such acts as The Press, and The Awesome, among others. His engineering skills (Nate has worked as a sound engineer for a number of venues throughout New England), his multi-instrumental chops, his peerless high harmonies, and his solid songwriting contributions (Nate was responsible for "Take It Back" off the band's 2010 debut, as well as "Paper Cut" off their 2011 release, "Low Down"), have made Nate an indelible part of MBB since Day 1. He tears things up on the electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, pump organ, percussion, and vocals; while simultaneously holding the role of co-producer/engineer.
NICK LEEN
Nick Leen is the assbag responsible for forming the band of miscreants known as The Mallett Brothers Band when, while Will was crashing on the couch at Luke and Nick's apartment, he resolved for the three of them to jam more frequently. As songs began to form, Nick brought together Nate, Wally, and Brian, each of whom he had worked with on previous projects, choosing the musicians based more than anything on their capacity to "hang." Previously to MBB, Nick was a member of favorite local funk/rock group Boombazi, along with Luke and Nate. He plays the bass guitar, sometimes the keys, and has contributed a fair number of gem lines for a variety of tunes. Famous for his on-stage boot-stomp, Nick once stomped the sole off of his boot during a show, a feat met with a fair number of ooohs and aaahs.
BRIAN HIGGINS
When first approached by Will to possibly play drums in just-then-forming Mallett Brothers Band, Brian's was a curt reply: "I don't play country." A punk/metal/rock drummer since the mid-1980's, Brian's initial forays into the rock and roll world were accompanied by a wardrobe of big hair, leather pants and tank tops -- fashion traits he has thankfully since abandoned. He has performed with an impressively multitudinous selection of Maine rock acts including High-Fivin' White Guys, Lost Cause Desperadoes, Colepitz, Rocktopus, and The Horror (with Wenzel), among others. Of course, his first reluctant appearance at an early Mallett Brothers Band rehearsal was enough to twist his arm about joining the band, and he now holds down the rhythm section with his distinctive fast-brushing style (he had never touched a pair of brushes before joining MBB) and furious, heavy-metal-forged right foot.
LUKE MALLETT
One of two members of MBB that's a son of famed folk singer David Mallett, Luke began playing music as soon as he could walk. In the Mallett house, with instruments perpetually slumbering on various pieces of furniture like cats, it was easy enough. Early forays on the piano and bass guitar placed him in a number of hardcore bands in high school before he eventually joined Lab Seven, long regarded as one of the premier hip hop acts in Portland, Maine; and, finally, Boombazi, where he joined Leen and Soule in the mid-2000's. A lyrical firehose, Luke's hip hop background is credited by some as the source of his distinctive vocal and lyrical style that makes him one of the favorite vocalists (of any genre) in the Portland, Maine music scene.
WILL MALLETT
Will Mallett is a founding member of TMBB and one of the group's primary songwriters. He first picked up a guitar at about age 4 and despite his best efforts to get out of the family business by attending a liberal arts school and contemplating such professions as the military, law school and academia, fate has a funny way of doing its thing.
It was when Will moved to Portland, Maine to crash on his brother's couch and started trying to get Luke into bluegrass and traditional country music that their collaborative songwriting efforts first began. Bring a bunch of rock musicians into that mix and that's pretty much how we got where we are.
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
The Mallett Brothers Band is an alt-country/rock band from Portland, Maine.
No Depression says they "make you want to scream at people to make them aware of the awesomeness that they are more than likely missing."
Dispatch Magazine calls them a "six-piece living inferno."
They have been “gobbling up accolades like sunflower seeds” since their 2009 inception, according to the Portland Press Herald.
They were voted Best Local Act, Best Live Act, Best Roots Act, and won additional awards for Best Local Album (Low Down) and Best Song (Low Down) in the 2012 Portland Phoenix Best Music Poll. They were voted Best Local Act, Best Live Act, and had their debut album named Best Local Album in the 2011 Phoenix BMP, after their first full year of playing together. They were nominated for "Best Emerging Artist" of 2011 by Deli Magazine, Boston, and "Best Band/Act in Maine" in the 2011 New England Music Awards.
They won the 2011 Oxford Rockin’ Country Showdown Competition, garnering them a $25K grand prize (which went almost entirely to gas and van repairs to support their busy tour schedule); their debut record was the top-selling local CD in Bull Moose Music in 2010; and their sophomore release, “Low Down,” was featured on several year-end best-of lists this past December, nationally as well as locally.
Drawing from an array of influences including rock and roll, folk, blues, bluegrass, neo-traditional and classic country and even punk, MBB are known for high-intensity live performances. They've played national festivals as well as sold-out venues ranging from grange halls to rock clubs throughout the Northeast U.S.
They’ve been featured on WCYY, WBLM, WTHT, MPBN, WCLZ, and Nashville.com Country Radio, stations whose specialties run the gamut from mainstream country to hard rock to adult contemporary, and podcasts including the Americana Rock Mix, Freezing Process, Nine Bullets Radio, Freight Train Boogie, and RootHog Radio, among others.
The Portland Phoenix says “This band projects a self-assuredness that’s infectious in a world where it’s becoming harder and harder to find things that are real and genuine.” The Wire says “Put simply, this is a damn good band.” Hidden Track says “a most welcome discovery.” The Orris says “a band to watch.” The Portland Press Herald says “Scour the songs [on “Low Down”] for layered hipster nuance, and you’ll later be smoking cloves wondering what just blew past you.” Deli Magazine says of their live performances, “I guarantee you a kick-ass time, a hangover, and a crush that won’t quit.” They’ve also been called “amazing” (Piscataquis Observer), “luminaries” (NonAlignmentPact), “mighty,” and “as real as the dirt on the bottoms of your shoes” (Press Herald). At their March 2011 performance at Portland’s Port City Music Hall, more alcohol was allegedly consumed than at any other local show in the venue’s history.
