MOTP

MOTP formed as a result of an elementary school talent show where Brian D'Addario (Guitar), Thomas Murphy (Bass), Danny Ayala (Keyboards), and Michael D'Addario (Drums) came together to perform. Brian and Michael have mixed their musical endeavors over the years with careers in theatre and film. Brian's exceptional voice and ease onstage led to three years in principal roles on Broadway in Les Miserables and Disney Theatrical's The Little Mermaid. Michael also worked on Broadway and has had leading roles in television and feature films (People Like Us, Sinister). However, music is their true passion and the focus of their lives. Thomas and Danny are exceptional players, and by now, seasoned performers as well.

One of the unique qualities of MOTP is the depth of their knowledge, appreciation, and roots in classic rock. They are students of the genre and the influence of past masters can be heard in the original material. Though Brian is the main songwriter, other band members have recently begun to contribute. The main influences come from 60s rock (Beatles, The Who, Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Velvet Underground) and folk (Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, The Band) & more contemporary artists from the nineties on (MGMT, The Pixies, Nirvana, Radiohead, RHCP, The Killers, PATD, MCR, The White Stripes).

As a young band, MOTP has been recognized for its excellence during several tri-state competitions and online by the alt rock band My Chemical Romance. MCR bassist Mikey Way blogged about the group when they first started their youtube back in 2009. He had caught wind of their performance of an MCR song via twitter and liked it so much, he put the link on the official MCR website. A year later, MOTP won the MCR youtube cover contest with their high energy performance of "Dead," and were awarded a new guitar signed by MCR band members.

MOTP has performed in venues across the tri-state area of NY, CT, and NJ. Some of the highlights: (NYC) Webster Hall, Slate, Don Hill's, National Underground, Queens Museum of Art; (Long Island) Dublin Pub, Mulcahy's, Town of Oyster Bay Children's Festival, Hicksville Street Fairs, (NJ) Mexicali Live, Tinton Falls Mall; (CT) Ridgefield Playhouse, Fiddler's Green.

All members of MOTP contribute vocals, both leads and backing, on recordings and during live performances. Brian acts as producer and engineer; the band has become proficient at producing and engineering their own material. Their dedication to the music and each other as bandmates is the main passion of this group of young musicians.