OXFORD: The Bullingdon

Friday 30th October, 2015

7:00pm

Event information

Since New York-based band Hollis Brown started out in 2009, they have grown into one of the most convincing current young rock ’n’ roll acts. While their music is based on an almost inexhaustible pool of sixties and seventies influences yet anchored in the here and now, their releases show a clear development from the raw, direct sound of their debut to the complex, multi-faceted approach on their new album ‘3 Shots’. The album’s eleven songs document Hollis Brown’s grown creativity, more substantial songwriting and a more clearly defined identity. ‘3 Shots’ is their fourth full-length album, the first to be released in Europe on Blue Rose Records.

Named after an early Bob Dylan song (The Ballad Of Hollis Brown), school friends Mike Montali and Jon Bonilla founded this band as a quartet in 2009 in Queens, NY. Their eponymous debut and a few privately released EPs indicate great passion and drive as well as a search for musical direction. With the widely distributed 2013 album ‘Ride On The Train’ Hollis Brown started a-rolling – with very fresh-sounding first-class American rock ’n’ roll. Combining sixties and seventies virtues with No Depression and alt.Americana sounds, the foursome convey a deep appreciation and knowledge of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Neil Young, The Band, Tom Petty, Rolling Stones and The Kinks.

Produced by the experienced Adam Landry (Allison Moorer, Deer Tick) Hollis Brown are entering a garage-y, blues- and southern rock-drenched terrain with an indie-rock-meets-alt.country-vibe, not unlike Marah, Middle Brother, Felice Brothers, Delta Spirit, even Whiskeytown or Green On Red. The minimalist-rocking rhythm section of bassist Dillon DeVito and drummer Michael Graves provides a steady rumbling beat, lead guitarist Jon Bonilla knows exactly where to be economical and where to be crunchy with his riffs and Mike Montali is a mesmerizing frontman, teasing the audience with his high, nervous, cutting voice.

The current lineup consists of band founders Mike Montali and Jon Bonilla, longtime bass player Dillon DeVito, new keyboarder Adam Bock and new drummer Adam Zehnal. Their extensive 2014 touring proved fruitful while recording ‘3 Shots’. After only 14 studio days the new album was in the can, recorded mostly live with few overdubs by producer Don Dilego. Seasoned pro John Agnello (Steve Wynn, Buffalo Tom, Mark Lanegan, J Mascis, Son Volt, The Phosphorescent) mixed the album.

This album is a mile marker for Hollis Brown!