The Mechanicals
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"This Philly band sounds like a mix of Brand New, The Gaslight Anthem & even Explosions In The Sky. The mixture of pure rock and soothing vocals is excellent & the five song EP packs quite the punch. If you are looking for a new rock band to get into before any of your friends, The Mechanicals would be a good place to start." - Ambassador Beats
"Lots of loud guitars and soaring vocals help the Mechanicals construct their very own, indie wall of sound." - Origivation Magazine
Discography
You, the Devil, & Me EP (2010)
The Parsonage Demos [Live] (2009)
Photos
Bio
The Mechanicals are a four-piece band from Philadelphia, PA. Most people would say they play "indie rock", whatever that is, while others prefer to keep things plain & simple & just call it "rock & roll." A certain radio personality* once even described their sound as "beard rock", which is pretty cool, despite the fact that Greg can't grow a beard to save his life. "We just play as honestly & as desperately as we can," says frontman Jaryd. "We're not really sure how else to do it."
That kind of transparency is embodied in their songwriting. "We write these songs because we need to process our doubts & struggles, our failures, & even our brief moments of redemption," continues Jaryd. "& then when we play them everything gets kicked back up again. Its never cut & dry. Its never really over." Nowhere is this more apparent than their live show. Their sound is nothing if not dynamic & emotive, layering cathartic vocals over gritty guitar textures, driving bass melodies, & huge drums. The entire band moves together, shouts together, screams together; for a while the band kept a running tally of shows in which Jaryd's fingers bled from strumming so hard. "I think the record was four in a row," says Greg. "It was pretty ridiculous."
Formed in July of 2009, the Mechanicals haven't been on the scene long, but they've definitely made an impression. Their fourth show was the final round of Radio 104.5's Battle of the Garage Bands, which they won despite close competition from regionally established bands. Greg's handmade, screen-printed t-shirts & prints always turn heads at the merch table, & speak volumes for the DIY work ethic of the band.
In June of 2010, the Mechanicals recorded their debut EP, You, the Devil, & Me, with producer Ted Richardson at Cedar Street Studios in Philadelphia. "We hated how sterile a lot of bands sounded recorded," says Aaron. "We wanted everything to be really warm & really full, really raw." Recording live in Cedar Street's open, 2000 square foot studio was the best way to give them that natural feel without compromising the power & energy of their live set. "That space was incredible," says Noah. "It really complemented what we were trying to do & brought out some really cool stuff. We can't wait for people to hear it."
The five-track album was released on 9.11.10 at Cedar Street Studios.
*the illustrious Wendy Rollins of Radio 104.5
Links
