Scott McCurry & the Mercenaries
Dallas, Texas, United States | SELF
Music
Press
After David Gray last month, Rocks Off has a newfound appreciation for blue-eyed singer-songwriter soul. So if Midlake is a little too fey for you, and Alicia Keys a little too pricey, allow us to introduce you to North Texas' Scott McCurry & the Mercenaries, whom their hometown daily The Dallas Morning News has dubbed "fork-licking good."
McCurry and his crew have been around for six years, releasing three albums along the way. Last year's Go On & Do Your Thing veers from orchestral flourishes ("Millions of Tracks") and perky indie-pop ("Wanna Maybe") to full-on rock ("Arizona") and rubbery funk jams ("Mercenary," the title track). McCurry is as versatile an instrumentalist as a songwriter (vibraphone, drums, guitar, etc.), and his Jason Mraz-like vocals are radio-ready and then some.
Well-known in the Metroplex - the Mercenaries' MySpace page lists almost a dozen dates, either McCurry solo or with the band, between now and July - McCurry and the Mercenaries are relative newcomers to Houston. Or they are to Rocks Off, anyway. Word must be getting around somewhere, though - we hear Saturday night's show with up-and-coming Outer-Loop rockers Suburban Warfare is almost sold out.
Also with The Fox Derby, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at House of Blues (Bronze Peacock Room), 1204 Caroline, 888-402-5837 or www.hob.com/houston.
- Houston Press
1 Top Pick
Scott McCurry
This Dynamic Dallas singer is backed by a band whose upbeat mix of country, rock, soul and island rhythms make any bill more fun. McCurr's one of the hardest-working musicians in town; his frequent gigs have helped him build a loyal following. His latest album has the cutest title ever: Birdies Don't Bark. - Dallas Morning News- Quick
For the past six years, McCurry has brought raucous, energy-filled live performances to beer-swilling audiences across the country. - Relix Magazine
“McCurry and his band are heading into the recording studio again this summer to record a full-length release
that he calls a conglomeration of “soulful-punky indie pop.” Whatever it sounds like, listeners can rest assured
it will be an album for music lovers by a true music lover.”-Josh Hixson, People News Papers (Preston Hollow
edition) - Josh Hixson, People News Papers
“His original short and snappy songs have been winners.”- William Kerns, Lubbock Avalance Journal
- Lubbock Avalanche Journal
"Scott is a wonderful songwriter, singer, and musician. He has an amazing palate from which he creates images and stories that come alive in his music." - Personal Quote
"Scott packs our place every time we book him, with college students lines up 20 people deep"
-Mike Clintsman - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Must-see shows by Texas artists for Jan. 8 - 14
04:01 PM CST on Wednesday, January 6, 2010
By MARIO TARRADELL / The Dallas Morning News
mtarradell@dallasnews.com
Event details: Scott McCurry and the Mercenaries at House of Blues
That jubilant noise that Dallas' Scott McCurry makes doesn't neatly fit into any marketing categories. McCurry and his band of Mercenaries take the rhythmic groove of R&B, the muscular power of rock and the full-throttle passion of the blues to create a sonic pie that's fork-licking good.
McCurry and his players have been serving up that dish for six years, making sure to hit every underground club in Dallas, then trek on over to Utah's Sundance Film Festival, too. All in all, the group has performed at more than 500 venues.
The group doesn't need a specific reason to take the stage, but it's good to have new music to champion. Go On & Do Your Thing, released in 2009, is McCurry and company's third full-length disc. It's chock-full of cool strutting music, charged-up tracks such as "Arizona," "Wanna Maybe" and "It's Always Something." The sound on Go On & Do Your Thing comes party-ready. That's no surprise, since the CD boasts 11 players aside from McCurry, who sings and plays guitar, percussion, vibraphone, drums and several other instruments.
He could be a one-man bash. Still, it's great to have musical friends.
Plan ahead
Scott McCurry and the Mercenaries with the Killdares and Bob Livingston, Saturday at 7 p.m. at House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $15. Ticketmaster. - -The Dallas Monring News (Guide)
"Scott McCurry is relentless and it's starting to pay off. The young Dallas-area songwriter now has content on iTunes and recently performed at Sundance Film Festival." - The Dallas Morning News
The summer doldrums are in full swing, sure, but Dallasite Scott McCurry and his band churn out a very anthemic and catchy breed of wide-eyed indie pop so things will remain lively and interesting. The dude pasteurizes a special brew that relies on tradition, wordplay, and workmanlike grooves to communicate a refreshing understanding of this crazy, war-torn world. This will be Scott McCurry's first Loft performance, so welcome the lad and his crew. And the grooves. Welcome those, too. - Dallas Observer
“..The Scott McCurry Band is comprised of so much genre-bending talent, it’s a feast for the ears.” Harderbeat
- Harderbeat
Discography
LP- The Koozies, "Seeing Through the Bleu Ink"
LP- "Like the Sun"
EP- "Birdies Don't Bark"
LP- "Go On & Do Your Thing"
Photos
Bio
It’s hard to label local musician Scott McCurry’s style. From the City of Angels to the Big Apple and all points in between, Scott McCurry has been turning on eager music fans to his blend of psychedelic-power-pop for several years. Now four albums deep, this local Texan has been producing creative and infectious material in studio, as well as translating his brand of fist-pumping sunshine-rock in the live setting.
"One part Beatle-esque melodies, one part raw-indie rock reminiscent of the Pixies, sprinkle in some Motown soul, the sound of a thousand high-fives at once, and then and only then will you be close to the Scott McCurry sound." -Living Magazine
Highlights
-Named by Clear Channel’s NEW! Discover Music as one of the top 24 “artists to watch” in the country.
-Named America’s Best Independent Alternative Artist by PC Treasures.
Publicity/Airplay
-Featured in numerous newspaper and magazine publications across the country, including: Relix Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, and The Houston Press (visit website to read articles).
-Significant airplay on college, mainstream, and internet radio in The Southern and Eastern United States, as well as into Europe.
-Have made several Television appearances, including: Fox Dallas and Lubbock.
-Featured on a National Radio Advertisement campaign for Pizza Inn.
Live Performances
-Played over 500 Shows across the country.
-Have sold out the House of Blues 5+ times.
-Headlined many popular Festivals and Venues such as: The Sundance Film Festival, Muzak’s SXSW showcase with Pete Townshend, Taste Addison, Wildflower, International Mayfest, The Snitch in New York City, The House of Blues Dallas and Houston, The Palladium Ballroom, The Loft, Granada Theater, The Howlin’ Wolf in New Orleans, Threadgills and The Parrish in Austin.
-Performed with many different well know acts including: Pete Townshend, Foreigner, The Old 97s, Bowling for Soup, Robert Earl Keen, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Ben Kweller, Randy Rogers, Stoney LaRue, Kevin Fowler, and more…
Discography
- “Like the Sun” sold over 33,000 albums in a month span at Target Stores alone. Two Songs from the album were also featured in the HBO documentary “Walking for Freedom”.
- Scott’s 2nd album, the EP “Birdies Don’t Bark”, was released by Left Turn Music founded by legendary producer Elliot Mazer (Neil Young, The Band, Janis Joplin, Pete Townshend, Linda Ronstadt, Jerry Jeff Walker…) Elliot Mazer also Co-Produced the Record. “Again” (a track from the EP) helped jettison the EP nationally, after being highlighted by Clear Channel’s “artist to watch”. The track also featured Bryan Poole from Of Montreal and Elf Power.
-Scott’s latest release, the self-produced “Go On & Do Your Thing” has been getting rave reviews and is being hailed as his best work to date.
Selected Press Quotes
“…For the past six years, McCurry has brought raucous, energy-filled live performances to beer-swilling audiences across the country.”-Relix Magazine
“…This new release from Scott McCurry and the Mercenaries has so many different styles and tastes, it will nicely satisfy any diverse musical palate. It spirals through sounds of funk, indie, soul, R&B, Reggae, and good ole’ rock-n-roll…Scott McCurry is a brilliant songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist…”-Scotty Mankoff, Harder Beat
“Dallasite Scott McCurry and his band churn out a very anthemic and catchy breed of wide-eyed indie pop so things will remain lively and interesting. The dude pasteurizes a special brew that relies on tradition, wordplay and workmanlike grooves to communicate a refreshing understanding of this crazy, war-torn world.”- The Palladium Ballroom
“… a throwback of sorts to the glory days of ‘80s college radio, McCury and band at times sound like they’re playing English pop with an American Accent…entertaining tunes and a new, yet familiar, sound” –K. Oliver, Free Times-southcarolinaarts.com
Hear the New Album and Download the Full Press Kit
http://www.scottmccurry.com//NewAlbum.html
www.myspace.com/scottmccurry
www.scottmccurry.com
www.sonicbids.com/scottmccurry
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