Oh Brother...

A Change..

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:47:00 GMT

Greetings Family!

Over the past 4 years Brothers McCann has had the extreme fortune of making joyful noises while creating a beautiful, loving and supportive family. It is a happiness that we carry from town to town, giving what we can and graciously accepting all you have given back to us. For that we continue to be thankful.

As it is with everything in this beautiful world, change is inevitable. We head into the fall by announcing that September 3rd marks the end of our time with Dan Bissex and Eran Shaysh. They have helped provide a backbone to the music as an inimitable rhythm section. Their contributions to our music will echo long after these songs hit their final note. We hope you will help us celebrate their time with us and wish them both well on their exciting new endeavors.

Dan's percussive bass style and unbounded energy on stage helped define the low end of Brothers McCann's sound. As some of you know, we met Dan in the middle of a long running academic journey. After recently graduating from Northeastern University's Masters Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering he is now devoting his time and energy to his home life and new position with InterSystems. We have no doubt he will take over the company in a few short years and come up with a way to translate his new Labrador Daisy Mae's barks into eloquent Shakespearean sonnets.

If you have met Shaysh, you never forget it. Many people have been touched by Shaysh's playing and the amazing way he connects to you through his love of Multi-Media. He is thrilled to share his brand new project, Big Old Big One. It is a weekly online video blog that features local musicians performing live stripped down versions of their tunes in unique places (anywhere but the stage) with Shaysh on percussion!! This project, like him, is a lot of fun. He will be bringing you free music every week so check it out!! - https://www.facebook.com/BigOldBigOne. In addition, he will continue playing drums/shaker/box/shells/etc with acts from local, regional, national and international areas!

While this news means the end of "Brothers McCann" as you may know it now, it is CERTAINLY not the end of the music. You can anticipate a new feeling and a new sound to emerge from this change. While it won?t be the same as it was, we will confidently breathe a new life into the sounds we make. This will take some time so please be patient! We are so excited for the next step and hope that you will continue to join us on this journey.

Much love and respect,

Pat, Erik, Mike, Dan and Shaysh

Reunion you say?

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:21:00 GMT

Wow. Is it already that time again?

No, not spring training. (Go Red Sox) I am talking about Reunion 2011. For those of you who do not know, Reunion is a gathering that we have been hosting for the past two years at The Bissex Homestead in Plainfield, VT. Like-minded, loving people all in one place celebrating art, nature and community. I can picture it now. I promise that if you there last year, you can close your eyes and see it all.

The whole weekend brings to mind Paul Simon's "Rhythm of The Saints". I am pretty sure we were listening to that album as the gates opened last June. The sun was beating down as family, new and old, arrived from their journeys to set up their weekend homes. We danced in the rain, marveled at the stars, wandered over acres of land guided by the lightning bugs. I can close my eyes and transport myself to the top of our rolling hill lit by flickering flames. The sounds of laughter and music echoing throughout the valley.

As the ground thaws and the plans for warmer days formulate, I invite you to join us for this third weekend in June. There are so many festivals and options for music over the summer months, but the thoughts and memories of this little gathering will keep you warm throughout the coldest New England winter. I promise. We have amazing families of musicians who will be joining the lineup. Tickets will be available on April Fools Day. Stay tuned for more!

Mike

PS : Want to get an idea what I am imagining? Tom captured some fantastic moments with his eye and eye extension...

http://classic.kodakgallery.com/tomahawk/main/brothers_mccann_reunion

Autumn

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:11:00 GMT

colors:

red met yellow
so close
getting closer
then they fell

words:

up late
winds through a window
keeping her up
thoughts are a barrel roll
and so vivid
the stars
are hers
fine creases unfurl
next day
sunlight
amber tones
struck her eye
was it sudden
land sickness
or was it just
him?

-P@

MESSING WITH GOOGLE ALERTS

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 10:00:00 GMT

JUSTIN BIEBER PORTRAYS JASON MCCANN ON CSI
BROTHERS MCCANN PLAYS JUSTIN BIEBER SONGS
SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO COVER
JUSTIN BIEBER
BROTHERS MCCANN
CSI

WE TEASED "EENIE MEENIE"
THAT'S THE SONG RIGHT?
THEN WE SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM
AND THE CAST OF CSI
CBS

JASON

JUSTIN BIEBER
BROTHERS MCCANN
CSI
JUSTIN BIEBER
BROTHERS MCCANN

THIS BAND IS IN BOSTON MA
THEY ARE UNSIGNED

IT WAS SPLENDIFEROUS

hehe

REUNION

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:13:00 GMT

It's a been awhile and I figured it would be great to update things here. We are approaching our 2nd Annual Festival "Reunion" and I figured I would reminisce. Last year, we had this idea to put up a plastic cover to keep the rain out and I distinctly remember feeling the wind almost pull the sheet from my hands. It was as if I was holding a sail into the sky. I remember the wind blocking out any voices and the only thing audible was the flutter of plastic. I almost wanted everyone else to let go so it would take me straight off the ground. After 25 minutes of deliberation or so, we finally abandoned the idea in favor of getting a sound check done. It was such an grand show for such a small idea. This one is gonna be HUGE!

Dark Moon 195

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:01:00 GMT

Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge.

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:47:00 GMT

Howdy all you soggy bottomed kids!!! This is my first Brothers Blog so I am all amped up... :)

Monday night I judged to the Open Mic at the Lizard Lounge. Hosted by one of my true favorite musical souls, Tom Bianchi, the night always has SOMETHING for you. Whether you are a listener or performer you take something home with you. Sometimes its a little hook or a lyric or the way someone nods knowingly that you are on the same page. Damn good bartenders.

A lot has to do with the space. GIANT LIZARD, right on the damn building. I love that Lizard. Hangs out with when you go out for a smoke. Stays till the end of the night. Like Wooderson outside the Emporium. Strut by him cause you are among a small group of people who knew where the good time was to be had. Thats when those nods start coming. It's in a basement too! So many new faces with SO much in common. A true feeling of togetherness without even a word or a sound. But.. there is sound.

You get SO much music. So different too. People who want to be heard by supportive group listening. And people are there for the love. This happens, in a way, every Monday night. Tom is the perfect host. The wise owl. He makes you feel right at home. His unique blend of humor eases sweaty palms and nervous leg bobbing.

This night in particular there was QUITE an amazing group of performers. Some are there all the time. Some come in, play and then leave. Some stay till the bitter end. When you are judging, you get stuck with the OBSCENE task of picking three of your favorites based on numerous intangibles.

I wanted to share some talent who you all should have a listen....

Santoro, Brian Burke, Kim Davidson, Ross Livermore, Nate Dinardo, Zach Burt... There are quite a few more but will have to look back on my notes!!

GO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!! GO RED SOX

- Mike

Bissex as James Lipton as Danny DeVito

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:55:00 GMT

It just doesn't look enough like any of them to just call it one of them

The New Album

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:43:00 GMT

Yes... yes... the ALREADY new album is already in the works.... It's always great to try new techniques. We obviously tried something new... It was pretty quick. It's called "We Make a Album For Loud and Short Volume".... It's a period piece... and without question will trump the last disc and all other discs in the future.... There is wind sounds and chimes and windchimes... Balloon sounds... Hollowed out fruits... Movie clips... Dog barks.... Yanni recorded a track with us... But we couldn't keep it due to a dispute with his label...

The BRILLIANT album artwork was done by our dear friend The Crayola Sorceror
You can hear it so soon...... so excited!

Here's a quick tracklisting

1- Mega Pinecone Frenzy Dance
2- Turtle McShaw Don't Take Dat
3- Wire Me The Message You Took! No Do Not Text It!
4- Ruffles Are Superior (What Other Chips You Ask??)
5- King Kong
6- Twitter Me This, Batman
7-Watch Out For Clark Gable (DarKKFUNKEN Remix)
8-Small Interlude With Random Birds
9-And The We Tossed It Out (aka The Trash)
10-Blast Off (Into Space) (( So We Can Find Water On Mars))
11-Fake Outro
12-Vince Vaughn is a Friend of Mine
13-No Seriously This Time
14-Real Outro (Special Thanks and Other Fun Sounds)

The album is our shortest to date at just over 3 and half minutes....

Some Dude Named Garrett McShomsky calls it "avant garde, daring and a treat for people who grew up on Dr. Demento"

The BRILLIANT album artwork was done by our dear friend The Crayola Sorceror
You can hear it so soon...... so excited!

Oh and also.... for a "less important" announcement
The groundwork for our ACTUAL second album "Days of Ease" has already begun...

P@

Watered Down Practice Spaces

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:09:00 GMT
So our basement ("practice space") flooded. The Stormin' Norman raged so heavy that the water came down the other chimney we dont really use. It also knocked down some power lines... No I know. It wasn't the Wet Bandits ("MARRRRV"). But enough to soak the rug entirely. We were really lucky to get the equipment we had out of the way before anything was damaged. Dan's email about the whole thing was priceless. What a close call man. I think we need to rethink the practice space now. The rug is currently lying outside in shame. I'd like to take a few moments of silence for the rug that serviced our feet so kindly so many a time...

RIP
Rug
2009-2010

The water coming into the floor reminded me then of our OLD practice space. Water would just seep in through the stone walls. And we would prop everything up on wooden planks to keep going until it got so bad we literally had to move everything out. That was tough. Plus Erik wasn't there. How times change. First you dont have a rug to get wet. Then YOU DO have a rug to get wet. Life is so funny.

We have an awesome show coming up with the Franks and Philosopher King at Tammany. We'll play a set in between. Tammany is the true birthplace of playing live music for me. It's where I grew up and I always have a spot for the Worcester scene. The only thing I never do is play pool there. I've done it once. And my friend Sean O'Malley schooled me. Wasn't fair. I don't play pool ever. Heck I can't even swim. But I'm sure given the circumstances I will make this dream come true.

Can't wait to play again... see you all out there...

P@

End of February

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:33:00 GMT
Hey everyone...

So last night was exactly two years since our first show as band. It was a really great performance in my opinion. We played at Oliver's inside the Cask n' Flagon. Great sound, great venue, great people. Great food too. Apparently, it is the "No# 2 Ranked Baseball Bar in America" by ESPN. It would be so sick to play there during Red Sox games. I didn't have my ID. So I ended up with the Under 21 tattoos on my hands. It felt like old times when I would literally be underage and playing clubs. I always thought that was funny.

This month has been really great. Between the House of Blues Kitchen and the LLS Benefit with SoundRabbit, I have had a really great month of February. The band is working on getting some more dates lined up. I also have been penning new songs and grooves. I am looking forward to the next step. Look forward to seeing you out there.

Shot of Landsdowne St

P@

vampire weekend: contra

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:59:00 GMT
this album is incredible:

I love its ability to make a walk to work as cool as it does...
I love its ability to make winter feel like summer
I just need a Starbucks, some Sauconys and dalmatian spots..
That makes a dog look great..

Wilson and I are gonna go for a walk too... in 5 ok 6minutes

Old puppy shot

Tomorrow is a rehearsal date. I'm excited for the new stuff. We're trying to get more press accumulated. That'll happen soon. So will cheesecake. I like the idea of everyone staying loose. It's gonna make booking gigs alot easier. I cannot wait for the summer. And beach fires.. Let's get there already...

Obviously there are dates in between then and there... but I am excited for it...

New French Word Cuz I Took Spanish...

"Je Ne Sais Quoi"

Ok we're gonna go mess with shutterspeed on a bridge above the Charles River frozen...

BE LOOSE

P@

# one

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:57:00 GMT
hey world wide everyone

pat here. we are starting a blog. not just to talk about what's going on with the band. but more importantly, to get a bit more connected with all you. here, we are gonna talk about shows we enjoyed playing. or shows you've enjoyed. or new covers we're working on. or covers you'd rather not hear again. favorite youtube moments. I have a few. cat massage lady really makes me laugh out loud. also I refuse to use "lol". since I first saw that thing, I disliked it. I won't lie. I never have liked lol.

now.... I am no blogger. I have had failed blogs in the past. one was all about mugs I enjoyed drinking out of. two posts made it on that one. another was on combining wolves and tanks into ultimate destruction machines. maybe 3 posts on that one. but I mean I know why they never worked. I didn't have alot to actually talk about. plus I don't lead the type of life that say... a perez hilton leads to constitute consistent blogging. maybe one day I can be a true master of consistent content..... just maybe...

ok no you won't hear from me everyday. probably not. but you'll definitely hear from the rest of the guys here. I won't be the only one. trust me. I talk the least out of all of them. together, we will make this the little blog that could. as with all new blogs, if you have suggestions... let us know... we can use the help...

we worked on some brand new material this past week while kind of also getting together to recap what a great year we had. we have some shows lining up in february. including the LLS Benefit show on February 12th, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston. you can go HERE for more information on purchasing tickets.

hope everyone is having a good new year. we are looking forward to big steps in 2010.

here is an old video of us jamming...

I'm off tonight to enjoy some of Danny B's home brewed "Beer 14"
cheers!
P@
Brothers McCann