Interview: Mellow Bravo on reuniting, reigniting, and getting back on the stage
The Boston rock and roll band play The Sinclair in Cambridge on August 5
Joining Mellow Bravo at The Sinclair are Cask Mouse and Hayley Thompson-King
Tickets to The Sinclair show are on sale now
Photo Credit: Pat Piasecki Photography
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BOSTON, Mass. [July 19, 2023] -- Holidays, birthdays, and Mellow Bravo live performances. There are only a handful of events that happen once a year, but few are as vital as the annual reunion of one the finest Boston rock and roll bands to ever do it.
This year, Mellow Bravo take on the dog days of summer with a scintillating Saturday, August 5 throwdown at The Sinclair in Cambridge, a raucous evening that brings house party energy to Harvard Square rock club through an inspired lineup that also features Cask Mouse and Hayley Thompson-King.
But before Mellow Bravo hold court at The Sinclair for the show of the summer, they’re rolling down Massachusetts Avenue and unleashing video evidence of last summer’s reunion party at The Middle East. Presented with a vibe that echoes the dusty old VHS tapes we all watched growing up, Live in Cambridge ’22 – a proper video showcase of that trusted Mellow Bravo intensity, charisma, and bluesy rock and roll fury – that went live YouTube this month.
The live video, capturing a 16-song powderkeg of a performance, was recorded by Bob Maloney and edited by Q, with live sound at the Central Square venue by Ian Nault. And it amplifies not just what we missed during Mellow Bravo’s eight year hiatus, but also what we’re all in store for when Mellow Bravo bring their eclectic, soulful rock and roll to the live stage once again.
We got all six members of Mellow Bravo in a digital room and discussed their upcoming Sinclair show, Live In Cambridge ’22, and how good it feels to be a band once again.
Knyvet: How excited are y’all to play The Sinclair?
Andrew Doherty: We absolutely love playing the Sinclair. I was just there for the pop-up Idles show a few weeks ago and was reminded how special the whole experience is there. The entire team is top of class, the sound is amazing and the green room is 5 stars. We can’t wait!
Dave Jarvis: The Sinclair is hands down the best room I’ve ever played in. They have the best sound people. I always look forward to knowing that I’m in good hands when I hit the stage.
Johnny Northrup: Definitely one of my favorite clubs (left) to play in and around town. The last show I played before Covid was an absolute banger at The Sinclair in January 2020 right before everything shut down – I didn’t know at the time it would be 3 years and 6 months until I got back up on that stage! Very stoked.
Jeff Fultz: Super stoked for The Sinclair but also slightly intimidated. It’s such a pro room!
Keith Pierce: Always excited to play the best place in town with the most experienced staff you can imagine. We will be in good hands as well as the crowd. I highly recommend bothering Josh Millman for all your drinking needs.
Jess Collins: Very much looking forward to lighting up The Sinclair! It is most certainly my favorite stage and house sound in the city. Also, a bunch of our awesome pals work there and they take amazing care of us! Boston rock family vibes all around!
What can everyone expect from this party?
Doherty: High fives, hugs, laffs, riffs and ripping solos. We and our pals Hayley and Cask Mouse are going to bring the heat.
Jarvis: This party has everything: Long hairs, weirdos, freaks, bozos, and zipperheads.
Pierce: Dave wins, how can I top this?
Northrup: Everything a Mellow Bravo show should be: Tunes you love, lots of smiles, friends, hugs, singalongs – and 6 people on a stage having the absolute time of their lives and taking you along with us!
Collins: I’m going to kiss everyone in the front row…ON THE MOUTH! No really though. I can’t wait to hug my friends. Ready to forget about adult stuff for an evening and just let it all go!
How good has it been to play these Mellow Bravo tunes again?
Doherty: Honestly, pretty fucking good. Once we have all six of us in the same room, tuned up and dialed in, it’s a powder keg ready to blow.
Jarvis: It’s funny how you can pick the songs up quickly after not playing them for a long time. They’re permanently burned into my brain. It’s always good to have everyone home again and doing what we do best. Banging out a set of loud rock and roll party songs for our friends and fans.
Northrup: [laughs] Well for me a lot of these aren’t “again.” I’m the new guy – at least sorta. I’ve been extended Bravo fam since day one – I actually drove Keith over to his first jam sesh with Andy and Dave at the EMF building way back in… ’08? ’07? Watched the three of them jam some songs Andy had – I think Keith wrote most of the words to what would become “Freshman” on the spot. I knew immediately that they would be a band. And I would have joined them back then but I was already in 4 other bands at the time, including Clouds who were touring extensively so I just couldn’t do it. I did record their first demo and one-third of Strut though (along with Alex Hartman). So even though I’m the new guy it feels like this was just a matter of time all these years! I’ve always been a huge fan and I’m still a huge fan… but now I’ve got a much better view of the show!
Fultz: It’s the best! My favorite thing about Mellow Bravo music is that it covers a bunch of different rock styles. Joining the band definitely made me a better player and weirdly enough encouraged me to shred!
Pierce: Playing these tunes again has been like putting on a super fine jacket that you and your friends tailored together. You can’t exactly remember making it, or even buying the fabric, but anytime you put it on you remember exactly how to strut in it. It’s easy like Sunday morning and fun as hell.
Collins: It’s nuts and surreal sometimes. Playing our songs now is quite a rush (and really always has been.) It reminds me why I do what I do and it reminds me how special my bandmates are to me. I can’t wait to write some new shit!!
What’s the best part about Mellow Bravo being active again?
Doherty: It’s perfect because we only do this once per year. So, we really value the time we have together and the special moments with our friends in the crowd. After a week straight of rehearsals, by the time we hit the stage, it truly feels like amplified love.
Jarvis: I think it’s been awesome to see the reaction from the people who still love the songs and care about the band after so many years. I feel lucky to have been a part of something that’s made any kind of mark on the music scene in Boston. Old friends came out of the woodwork for the last show and it was amazing to get back to some sense of normalcy after the pandemic keeping people away from each other for so long.
Northrup: That I get to be in the band!
Fultz: I’ve been living in Idaho for the past 9 years. Having the band active again allows me to reconnect with a community that has had a huge impact on my life in such a positive way. My gratitude for being able to ride the coattails of my younger brilliant band mates is beyond measure.
The best part is getting to see all our friends and family. Seeing how the music has trickled down through time to find other fans. We had a guy drive from Michigan to see us last year if that puts into question you coming down from Derry, or either of the Salems.
Collins: When the band first parted ways in 2015 I wasn’t sure if we would ever play again. I’m so grateful it didn’t turn out that way! There’s nothing like a crowd of people you love still singing along to your songs after all this time. I also treasure reconnecting with the guys on a musical level. It’s crazy how much we’ve all individually grown and the life paths we have taken. Proud of all my Duders.
Why did you decide to record and release Live in Cambridge?
Doherty: It was a no brainer. Bob Maloney offered to record the show and we knew it was going to be a heater.
Jarvis: I wanted to document the set at The Middle East because you never know what’s going to happen. You may never get the chance to do it again. I wanted there to be a permanent record of us being together after almost a decade. Bob Maloney is much handier than I am with a lot of things… one of them being capturing multi-shot videos. Johnny got our friend Q to edit it together and sprinkle some magic dust on it and PRESTO!!!
Northrup: I didn’t even know we recorded it last year. [laughs] I was too busy trying not to screw up any of the 25 songs I had just learned! I think Jarvis had the idea and we watched some of the clips and thought, “Hey… this is actually pretty good.” Turns out we had three different angles to work with, so I called my buddy Q (long time cohort in many bands) who happens to be an editing wiz and he put it together very quickly. The only bum out is that we didn’t have a board mix of the audio – I guess there were some difficulties with this at the show, but again, barely aware of any of this at the time – but the audio from Bob’s footage was actually pretty damn good as is, so we rolled with it. What you see/hear in the vid is what you got if you were there – no post production. So that’s actually kinda cool. I watched it. It’s undeniable, I get to stand in front of a band that is undeniable whether I’m there or not. To say it’s an embarrassment of riches is an understatement. I also felt really proud that we were able to nail that many truly difficult songs after so many years it felt right to share the whole thing.
Collins: At first we didn’t have a plan to take this footage to the next level. I was planning on it being a memory between us and maybe a practice tool if we ended up playing again. Then indeed we reviewed… Maloney hit the nail on the head, made us look extra cool (somehow), then Q put a sick editing bow on top and… voila!
What was a personal highlight from The Middle East show?
Doherty: That show was nuts because from start to finish, there wasn’t a single lull in energy from the crowd. By the time we got to “Feel like Dancin’” I felt like I was levitating.
Jarvis: Hotboxing the green room. That was nice.
Northrup: One particularly… interesting… comment about my hair that I grew long as a Covid hobby! Actually just getting to play all those songs I’ve loved for so long was the highlight. It was great and I’m stoked to do it again!
Pierce: Definitely seeing my nieces who were so young they thought “I Wanted A Girl” was about them, rocking in the crowd was my highlight. Realizing how many people loved it as much as we did was pretty amazing.
Collins: What Jarvis said. The “green room”, amirite? Also, my lovely mother standing side stage the entire set with her shit eating grin singing all the words. If it weren’t for her encouragement and support from day one, I definitely wouldn’t have the relationship I do with music today. So thanks Ma!!
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Mellow Bravo is:
Jess Collins: Keys, Lead Vocals
Andrew Doherty: Guitar, Backup Vocals
Jeff Fultz: Guitar
Dave Jarvis: Drums
Johnny Northrup: Bass, Backup Vocals
Keith Pierce: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
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‘Live In Cambridge ’22’ production credits:
Recorded live at The Middle East in Cambridge, MA on July 30, 2022
Introduction by Richard Bouchard
Recorded by Bob Maloney
Live sound by Ian Nault
Video editing by Q
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The Sinclair show poster:
Design Credit: Daykamp Creative
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Media praise for Mellow Bravo:
“Best rock band ever. Fine, tied with Led Zeppelin. The hometown heroes return for one more reunion show.” – Boston Herald
“...this writer still can't get over Mellow Bravo's beer-drunk determination to kick ass.” – Boston Phoenix
“The epitome of a good time band is when you leave the show feeling better than when you went in. There are very few bands out there nowadays that can accomplish this. Mellow Bravo is one Boston band that still gets the job done.” – CBS Radio/WZLX
“…The charismatic and inspired performance of a lifetime.” – Ryan’s Smashing Life
“Mellow Bravo’s debut album [Strut] is as burly and bravado filled as anything you will find passed out on the sidewalks of East Boston.” – DigBoston
“The way [Mellow Bravo] blend these influences with consummate ease and marry them up to some of the catchiest and memorable hard rock going is what gives them an edge far beyond the reach of the majority of their peers. Simply put, if you love rock and roll there really is nothing about Mellow Bravo that you won’t embrace as they cover it all.” – The Sleeping Shaman
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Press Contact: michael@knyvet.com
Band Contact: mellowbravoband@gmail.com
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