Mojo Kick

"When we think of Halloween, we rejoice at the thought of eating candy, dressing up and getting rowdy. Friday, October 26th was no different. Upon entry into Cambridge’s premier venue, Middle East, members from all realms of the universe gathered for a common desire to share good vibes. The decor included pillars of arabic influence decorated with stickers of pumpkins and ghouls. They were placed strategically as walkways from the bar to the merchandise stand, sandwiched between the stage. The venue created a unique interpretation of an Arabic Halloween for those who attended.

If Rage Against the Machine were still around, they would be very proud to see Boston, MA natives, Mojo Kick keeping explosive Rock ‘n’ Roll alive. The group draws inspiration from the likes of Hendrix, Radiohead and Zeppelin. And from a non-musical standpoint, Mojo Kick’s songwriting is very much swayed by their experiences and live performances.

The group consists of Andrew Warnock (guitar), John Fiore, aka “Johnny the Kid” (guitar), Eric Melkonian (bass/vocals) and Colby Blauvelt (drums). The rock collective reigns from various areas within the outskirts of Boston including Somerville, Stoneham and Saugus, MA.

Mojo Kick’s setlist included a merged compilation of tracks from their EP and upcoming full-length due later this year. The band introduced their set with the energetic tune, “Take it All In.” Immediately, the crowd began to groove in cohesion with Blauvelt’s and Warnock’s head-bobbing melodies. Soon after, tracks such as “Hot Stick” got members of the audience grinding in response to Melkonian’s progressive-funk bass licks. Mojo Kick then followed into “I Got Mine,” a track originally recorded by The Black Keys. Mojo Kick stayed true to the bluesy song, but added aggressive riffs, providing their own interpretation. During the explosive “Do it Good,” Fiore crowd-surfed while playing, displaying his mastery of showmanship.

As the group concluded with “String Me Up,” the crowd cajoled them up for an encore. Unfortunately, due to time disputes, the band was unable to provide additional jams. By experiencing their stage presence and chemistry live, it’s evident that the collective gels as more of a brotherhood than a band. And whether you’re a fan of funk, groove-core or explosive rock, the eclectic stylings of Mojo Kick range wide enough to attract any music lover. Be sure to check them out Wednesday, November 21st at the Hard Rock Cafe."

-Emmanuel Radkin - Allston Pudding

"Local musicians Colby Blauvelt, John Fiore and Eric Melkonian, along with new band member Andrew Warnock, may have a chance to play at the popular concert from June 7-10 in Manchester, Tenn.

By Chris Chirichiello
Email the author
April 5, 2012

Email
Print
1 Comment

Upload Photos and Videos

Local band Mojo Kick will be going on tour this summer and they have a legitimate shot at playing on one of music’s biggest stages: Bonnaroo.

Mojo kick features three Stoneham residents, including Colby Blauvelt (drums), Eric Melkonian (bass/vocals) and John Fiore (lead guitar). The band recently welcomed Andrew Warnock to the mix to play rhythm guitar.

The band has been traveling around Massachusetts showing off their talent at venues such as The Hard Rock Café in Boston, The Middle East, T.T. the Bear's Place and also will travel to Foxwoods for a show in June. However, the biggest opportunity for the band is that they have a chance to play at Bonnaroo on June 7-10 in Manchester, Tenn.

Blauvelt admitted that nothing would be better than to share the stage with such talented musicians.

“If we made it to Bonnaroo, that alone would be a dream come true,” Blauvelt said. “To play with bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foster the People would be absolutely amazing. I would forever be grateful for that experience. We just want to meet a lot of cool musicians and fans that are really into good music.”

Mojo Kick: The Album

The band just released their debut self-titled album. It can be bought on iTunes and will be available in hard copies at a few of their shows. Some of the songs to check out include “Wild Girl,” “String Me Up” and “The Way You Move.”

Fiore is very proud of what the band has accomplished thus far in their musical careers.

“We are grateful to those who listen to our music and make it out to the shows,” Fiore said. “Ideally, I hope that Mojo Kick will one day be able to survive as a band; no jobs, no school, just music.”

Musical Roots

Fiore remembers the day he learned his first chord and the day he met other members of his band.

“We were terrible, but there was something about it that felt right,” Fiore said. “As far as Mojo Kick, I was lucky enough to meet Colby and we became good friends pretty quickly. We started playing together because it was fun and we had a common goal musically. We were fortunate to get together with Eric Melkonian and we’re happy to have our newest member Andrew Warnock in the band.”

Dreaming Big

Like Blauvelt, Fiore reiterated that playing at a festival like Bonnaroo would be a life-changing experience.

“They always have great bands at Bonnaroo and I would enjoy just watching if I had the chance,” Fiore said. “An opportunity to share the stage with such iconic artists would be mind-blowing to say the least.”

Fiore stressed that he wouldn't have this chance to live out his dream without the support of his friends, family and fans.

“They have always shown so much support and I am extremely grateful to have them,” Fiore said. “I owe them a lot.”

Practice Makes Perfect

Fiore described what happens on a day-to-day basis with his band mates and admitted he wouldn't spend his days any differently.

“A day with these guys is pretty interesting,” Fiore said. “The four of us have such different personalities and musical tastes which makes it quite exciting. I never know what to expect at a Mojo practice or show. We jam, we talk, we fight and when the vibes right, something special happens. I mean I’ve been in some other bands before, but I truly believe in these guys and their abilities.”

Playing the Name Game

Blauvelt explained the meaning and origins of the band's name.

“John’s dad reads Mojo magazine and John always read that magazine growing up,” Blauvelt said. “So, John was kind of just sticking words at the end of ‘Mojo’ and came up with that and we used it and it stuck.”

Rocking out at a young age is what Blauvelt always wanted to do and his father influenced his decision, as he played in a band when he was younger.

“It’s very surreal,” Blauvelt said. “My dad was always in a band when I was a kid and since I can remember, being in a band is what I have wanted to do. I’m very appreciative of the support that everyone locally has showed us so far and I am ready for whatever is in store for us.”

Hitting the Road

Blauvelt enjoys traveling around to different locations to play, but his top choice is playing at house parties.

"We played a lot last summer and fall in Allston,” Blauvelt said. “I love the party vibe and that really is what we all about, being up close and personal with fans.”

Help the band live out their dream of playing with their musical idols. Mojo Kick can be voted for on the Bonnaroo website."
Related Topics: Arts, Bonnaroo, Mojo Kick, Music, News, Rock Band, and Stoneham MA
- Stonehampatch

"Happy President’s Day!The Mojo Kick EP is officially available on iTunes/amazon/cdBaby etc. I can’t recommend this album enough. If you are a fan of Rock and Roll, then this is the best $6 you can spend. Take a minute or two and go support these guys by purchasing the album. Click here to grab it [...]" (Jay Deluca) - Jay Deluca

Who’s Mojo Kick? How you guys all met and started this band?

Mojo Kick consists of Eric Melkonian, Colby Blauvelt, John Fiore, and Andrew Warnock. We’re a band out of Boston, MA. Currently, we’re playing around New England, trying to expand our fan base. Our live shows are what we’re all about. We really try to get the audience to feel the emotion we’re playing with, and we feed off what they give back to us. We met in high school, and recently picked up a guitar player from a neighboring town.



What’s the story behind the band’s name?

John: There’s a music magazine actually called “MOJO” that was laying around my house. The word sounded cool. So I thought “Mojo Kick… Who doesnt need a blast of Mojo?”



What are your music influences?

The Black Keys, life, girls, White Stripes, emotional stresses, Radiohead, relationships, love, hate, Jimi Hendrix, sex, The Doors, more sex, Muddy Waters



What’s your method at the time of writing a song?

Everything we do when it comes to song writing is really organic. The songs feel like they write themselves. We usually just come into practice and start playing, some days we have it and some days we don’t.



So you guys are working on a new album. Can you give us some insights? Any release date, title yet in mind?

Unlike our first EP, which can be heard on iTunes, we are going for a much more stripped down sound. Recording this record on rail to rail tape will help us to capture that. Live tracking, open sounds, fuzzy, and raw. We value the imperfections in classic rock music and garage-indie rock that we are going for. We want to sound like we do when you are watching us on stage. Same emotion, same unpredictability. We found this to be impossible through digital means so we are going back in time. We plan on releasing the album October 27th at The Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge, MA. At the moment, we’re still working on a title.



Whas been the funniest moment you guys have been or took part while touring?

Colby: One of the funniest stories was when we played and no one showed up… It sucked…



Are there any more plans for the future?

We want to release the new album and tour the country in support of it. It wont be easy but we are ready to grind it out on the road and work as hard as we can.



Where can we find more about your music?

iTunes, Jango Internet Radio, CD Baby, Facebook, SonicBids, YouTube, Soundcloud, and Spotify.



Do you feel you guys are moving on the right direction?

Yes, with the new record in the works and a few festival spots near the beginning of the Fall, we are happy but ready to keep moving forward. - Vents Magazine

" Artist Spotlight: Mojo Kick
Hey everyone!

Kicking off May Day with another, all-new edition of Artist Spotlight! This week, we stay in Boston and head up to Stoneham, MA and discover the sweet and rocking sounds of Mojo Kick! The band consists of Andrew Warnock on backing guitar, John Fiore on lead guitar, Eric Melkonian on bass and lead vocals, and Colby Blauvelt on drums. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what this music is comparable to, but the best way to describe it is a melodic, ferocious blend of Jimi Hendrix-esque rhythms and mixed in with a hint of Led Zeppelin that gives the band their own unique blend of swagger and musical attitude that makes them stand out from the crowd. Eric's vocals are absolutely superb and bring the songs to life and when combined with John's masterful guitar skills and on-stage persona, the group rounds out to be a formidable presence on the music scene for some time to come. I checked these guys out for the first time this past Saturday at Hard Rock Cafe in Boston and they put on a fantastic show that showed off all the aforementioned qualities that I mentioned previously and a whole lot of charisma and energy to show off to the listening audience. A great local band to keep an eye on in the days to come. Some recommended tracks that I really enjoyed include: "Wild Girl" and "Come and Leave". Peter Amara - Peter Amara

"As Mojo Kick took the stage, the basement packed with eager fans and friends alike. The Stoneham-based trio makes music that has incredible potential. And fortunately, they kept The Brinks’ soulful-vibe alive, but I’d say with a little more, well, mojo? Their name is truly fitting because the band plays with this jovial vitality – there’s this extra oomph in their performance that endured the entire set. The crowd got funky as the band played “The Way You Move,” and the singer howled the lyrics with his raw, unrelenting vocals. Still, the closing song “String Me Up” had the most fervor to it. Sweat was dripping, Mojo Kick was all smiles and the jam-packed basement begged for one more song. But… that didn’t happen – guess you kids gotta go to one of their next shows!" - Allston Pudding