Music
Press
"....anyone who attended their Saturday afternoon performance will tell you they dished out the best set of the weekend." - Jambands.com
"As it turned out, this band played the most stunning show that I had seen yet. The music hall was packed to capacity and the young men in the band had whipped the crowd into such a frenzy that the energy level escalated to the point of nearly blowing the roof off." - FestivalFamily.com
After meeting bassist Jason Ott and guitarist Jeff Howard at music camps during the summer of 2008, drummer Jake Huffman invited them to his basement for a jam. From the start, the music clicked in a burst of energy that became The McLovins. Trained in jazz, rock and classical music and influenced by bands from The Beatles to Phish, the young musicians added traces of reggae, funk, hiphop and trance and fused their own jam rock sound. - Connecticut Public Television
The absolute best and perhaps most entertaining and surprising band of the afternoon was one I accidently stumbled upon at the Port City Stage‚ The McLovins. Named‚ perhaps‚ because the bassist and lead guitarist slightly resemble the Superbad movie icon‚ these two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old boys sure can rip a masterful session with only a bass‚ lead guitar and drums.
Drawing by far the largest audience that the Port City Hall saw during an afternoon concert over the entire weekend‚ The McLovins completely blew people away by their musical adeptness and technically on-point squealing. (I had goose bumps‚ and it was 90 degrees out.) Their ability to formulate their own original music such as "Tokyo Tea" and "Deep Monster Trance" with such precision was mind-blowing. But what really blew the ecstatic crowd away‚ who after the set ended literally demanded an encore with their continuous cheering‚ was their nod to Phish in a "Tweezer Reprise" that sent the packed audience into a frenzy. Take note of these boys‚ they are going to be around for a very‚ very long time.
- State of Mind Music
"When the McLovins took the stage though, all conversation halted and jaws quickly hit the floor. These kids, and I hesitate to call them kids as their musical maturity is astounding, played an amazing set that surprised even those of us that have seen them a couple of times. It is clear that they are no novelty act and will be around for a long time to come. Their music is as forward thinking as it is virtuosic. Even Malcolm “Papa Mali” Welbourne, of the headlining act 7 Walkers, gave them props in saying that he couldn’t get the rest of his band (Matt Hubbard, Bill Kreutzmann, and George Porter Jr.) to come onstage for their set as they “were afraid to follow the McLovins.” That is a compliment that the McLovins will not soon forget." - Hidden Track Glide Magazine
Discography
Good Catch (Just Released 5/28/10)
Virtual Circle EP (Released 12/09)
Conundrum (Released 7/09)
On Itunes
Played on radio stations in NY, New England
Hear at www.TheMcLovins.com
Photos
Bio
The buzz is big, and The McLovins are worthy. Loved by Rolling Stone, Relix Magazine, Jambands.com, Hidden Track, Jamtopia and an ever-growing fan base of all ages.
BEST SET of NATEVA MUSIC FESTIVAL in Oxford, ME July 3, 2010 per Jambands.com
Blowing up the jam scene, pulling in the progressive rock scene, establishing new rules around what to expect at a live performance -- energy, connectedness, intimacy and a positive vibe between the band and audience of all ages.
Having a solid musical foundation, The McLovins are able to expand and improvise almost effortlessly, allowing for a very distinctive sound and feel to their own compositions, as well as fresh takes on classics.
Part of the iPod generation, these young, well-trained musicians are not bound by genres. Rather, they are able to draw from a diverse palette of influences and styles, from jazz and funk, reggae to hip-hop, rock and soul.
Jake’s natural, fluid drumming style provides a slick execution and speed changes on drums that drive the music, leaving Jason with ample room to expand and explore on bass, whether it’s a funky slap, or a classic bass line, listeners beg to “turn it up”. Jake’s lead vocals, complimented by Jason’s back-up vocals, are engaging and well matched. This solid rhythm duo provides Jeff the space on lead guitar to play sometimes relentless, sometimes cascading, always jaw-dropping soloing that leaves some fellow guitarists inspired, while others say they’ll hang up their instrument for good.
The chemistry between these musicians is electrifying. After playing together only a few months, they had compiled a repertoire of covers and began playing live. Through continued postings on Youtube (drummercl channel) and their cover of Phish’s epic You Enjoy Myself, they expanded their fan base through Phantasy Tour. While appearing at New York City’s Sullivan Hall, they garnered the attention of Rolling Stone magazine, which asked them in for an interview and to record some videos for their online magazine.
The McLovins have appeared on radio and TV stations around New York and New England, and have released two full-length albums of original work, and EP, and a live CD with a mix of covers and originals.
The McLovins have become a true favorite at music festivals like Nateva, The Gathering of the Vibes, Mountain Jam, Snoe. Down, Burlington VT Maritime Festival, Bella Terra, StrangeCreek and Wormtown, Keene State.
Also active on the club scene, The McLovins headline at places like Nectar’s in Burlington, VT, Brooklyn Bowl, Sullivan Hall, NYC, Wobbly Barn, Killington, VT, Black Eyed Sally’s & Main Pub in Hartford, Café 939 in Boston and SOLD out Infinity Hall, The Katharine Hepburn Performing Arts Center. They’ve also opened for legends such as 7 Walkers at Rev Hall (where George Porter Jr., famous bassist for The Meters told them they are the future).
Links
