Click to read the complete review of our July 23 Performance at Bar 9:
Taking influences from a wide range of artists such as Tom Waits, Talking Heads, The Platters, and Neil Young, Mad Larry has won over legions of fans with their catchy songs and energetic live performances. No doubt, the band's fans' overwhelming enthusiasm is connected to band members' past work as The Bogmen. Mad Larry's original line-up consisted of former Bogmen Bill Ryan (guitarist/lyricist), Brendan Ryan (keyboardist/lyricist), PJ O'Connor (drums), and Mark Wike (bass). Since the breakup of The Bogmen in 1999, all of these musicians have pursued a wide range of separate projects, but have kept crossing paths along the way. Guitarist/lyricist Bill Ryan leads Mad Larry's sound with his hooky yet off-beat style. His melodic guitar-lines and rhythms, with vocals that fluctuate between crooning and quavering, have resonance of Velvet Underground-meets-Radiohead. His brother Brendan Ryan's distinctive use of processed Rhodes, piano, Hammond, and samplers provides an unrefined electronica sound in keeping with the spirit of rock-n-roll. Since the departures of Mark Wike and P.J. O'Connor, the Ryans have picked up bassist Chris Fischer and drummer Peter Michaels. In a Samuel Beckett kind of way, Mad Larry often sings about finding hope and serenity in the midst of the absurdities and tribulations of the wayward world. Confessing flaws, compulsions, indulgences, and failed relationships, Mad Larry writes and plays about the frailties of artists and all of us. There's nothing egotistical or presumptuous here. The band can be as intimate as a Johnny Cash ballad or as rambunctious and bizzare as David Bowie's Alladin Sane. Mad Larry is a "must listen."
More music from Billy and Brendan Ryan can be found here:
"Last Party" Music Video directed by Chris Cassidy
Rizzo & T as Little E... 2 night at 9 PM One set... we'd love to see you of course! Gizzi's Coffee 16 W 8th Street New York, NY 10011 T: 212.260.9700 www. gizzisny. com
For all interested, there will be an early Mad Larry/Vic Thrill show at Stephen's Talkhouse (www.stephenstalkhouse.com) in Long Island on Friday, August 24th. We plan to perform some Bogmen tunes for old-time's sake and will have as much Kristy's Smile/Bogmen merchandise available as possible. Thanks for your continued support!
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