The McLovins
Wednesday June 9, 2010 at 8:00PM
If your eyes or ears have been anywhere near the Jam Band scene in the last year or so, chances are you’ve already been stunned, dazzled, amazed, and rocked by the incredibly young and refreshing sound of The McLovin’s. Hailing from Connecticut, the trio comprised of drummer Jake Huffman (Drum Lovin’), guitarist Jeff Howard (Ax Lovin’), and bassist Jason Ott (Bass Lovin’) has come on to the Jam Band scene like a tidal wave in a fashion unlike any other band before them. Besides the fact that they are all still very much in high school, the trio has a musical synergy on stage that the most seasoned jam bands would sell their souls to the rock gods for. It’s not every day that you can see a group of smiley faced adolescents adequately pay homage to some of the most complex and multi-peaked jams known to man, but the McLovin’s pack their touring schedule with an impressive number of shows considering their already busy teenage lives. Although the Mclovin’s initially made their claim to fame on Phantasy Tour with their YouTube video covering Phish’s “You Enjoy Myself”, it was only a matter of time before fans everywhere got a hold of their remarkable original material like a viral infection. From the opening chords of “PURPLE TREES” on their 2009 debut album “Conundrum”, the McLovin’s showcase their versatility, talent, dance-ability, sense of humor, and face melting skills like a Mack truck bombing down a runaway ramp. The Conundrum album is themed from the classic Norton Juster novel “The Phantom Tollbooth”, an apparent favorite of the McLovin’s and their first rate mom/manager, and purveyor of awesomeness, Carol Huffman (MomLovin’). Since “Conundrum”, the band has made tremendous strides in all aspects of their game, playing as often as possible in local Connecticut clubs, and such venues as New York City’s Sullivan Hall, and Troy’s Revolution Hall. Last Month’s release of the McLovin’s second album, “Good Catch” takes you on roller coaster ride through the band’s progression over the past year, and lets you know that despite the fact that they can’t vote, can’t walk into a bar, and can’t play the lotto, these guys mean serious business, and are a force to be reckoned with in 2010. As soon as you press play, the McLovin’s hard work and dedication to their music is made abundantly clear. Instant classics such as Tokyo Tea, Milktoast Man, This Town, and Beadhead Crystal Bugger will keep you dancing in a Virtual Circle for days. Not only have they been taking serious vocal lessons to develop their pipes, but it seems like with every second they play together, they strengthen the cohesiveness of their bond as musicians, artists, teenagers, and friends. In addition to the fact that the McLovin’s have clearly gotten much better, their production team appears to have stepped it up too making “Good Catch” a truly INCENDIARY jam band album. Most recently, The McLovin’s rocked a packed house at Hunter Mountain’s “Mountain Jam” festival, where fans got a face full of tunes from Good Catch, Conundrum, and an electrifying performance of the Doors’ classic “Break On Through”. Expect to see tons more of the McLovin’s, because these guys aren’t going anywhere other than the top of the bill at Gathering of the Vibes.
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