The Pneurotics

Bio:

We plan to play locally as much as they'll let us, record some more songs, play out some more, make up some more songs, drink some beers with friends and write drunk then hungover songs, then play out some more. And oh, to hear our songs on the radio. Let us know if you want to play a show with us!

Rich McLaughlin: Leader of the band, mathematician, magician, juggler, wins most affable at a party. A self-taught guitarist, he first picked up the guitar as a Zep-obsessed teen, now his guitar is as much a part of him as his arm.

Mimi McLaughlin: Rich's wife and biggest fan. She got turned into the bassist because the other one moved to Russia. Rich knows where she lives, and finds it easy to get her to show up for band practice. She hopes to someday be able to sing and play at the same time, getting better all the time.

Chris Burzminski: New drummer! He is way creative, adds all kinds of amazing beats and drives that rhythm. Bonus- he makes our band younger and cuter.

Occasional and past contributors:
3/06--11/07-- Christian Savelli: Drummer for our first year. Then there was Simeon Furman, both on our first record. Gabe Mixon played til grad school started, played on Second Skin.

Jeff Whetstone: Harmonica playing harmonizer. He plays with us on rare occasion and already a way too famous photographer. He plays harmonica full tilt mofo with unmatched gusto. A shot of Maker's Mark and he's uncorked- yow. His art graces the cover of our upcoming album , "Forty".

Purchase our full-length CD "Forty" here for $10. Available NOW! .. .. .. .. ..
Now Available on iTunes!

Member Since:

October 26, 2006

Members:

**Rich McLaughlin- Guitar, vocals, song-writer, **Mimi McLaughlin- Bass, back-up vocals, **Chris Burzminski- Drums

Influences:

Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Richard Thompson, Chopin, Lucinda Williams, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Jane's Addiction, King Crimson, Leonard Cohen, John Hiatt, Maria McKee, Bob Dylan, Peter Himmelman, Poe, Reiner and Das Combo, Johnny Sugarpie, Wilco, Johnny Cash, The Cure, The Police, The Clash

Sounds Like:

Comments from an anonymous rock critic: "Rich started writing songs in high school with music and lyrics most reminiscent of indie-rock with an occasional alt-country twang. His songs are inspired by authentic emotionality provoked by love gone awry, betrayal, thwarted intentions, and unfulfilled expectations tapping into the commonality of the human experience of love. The depth and complexity of his songs are tinted with the color, honesty and roughness of the southwest canyons. His music is guitar-driven, startling, and raw with rough vocals sung from the toes. He’s created stirring, idiosyncratic riffs with surprising bridges and changes that make you stop whatever you’re doing to listen. A doctorate in fluid dynamics influences the melodic waves and intricate harmonic spirals that he incorporates organically into his unique guitar licks. However, an unusual humility and self-described shyness has left his body of music to be an undiscovered wealth for the music-loving community."

Here's what some people say about us: "This threesome takes punchy power-pop seriously: With sugary hooks and Superdrag-sized guitar jangle, The Pneurotics add Southland sparkle with wistful twang." Kathy Justice, Indy

A review for "Forty" from the Independent

The Pneurotics, a Chapel Hill trio with Durham ties, plays primarily on jagged riffs and rough-hewn vocals. But on debut LP Forty, the band creates an unlikely sort of harmony, the sort that comes from self-assuredness and a solid foundation of fundamentals. Forty radiates a calm confidence, the wisdom of a veteran matched by the genuinely youthful joy of discovery. Rich McLaughlin has been writing songs since he was a teenager, but Mimi McLaughlin provides bass and backing vocals; she joined the band after the first bass player left for Russia. Rich's voice carries the worn-in reliability of a baseball glove trusty from long use, and when Mimi's bass walks off on its own near the end, it sounds young, adventurous, fun. When the guitar rejoins the bassline for a coda, the metaphor comes full circle.
Indeed, for the married couple-turned-rock band, the dust of growing up has settled. But this new maturity means new chances. There's nothing revolutionary about the sound, no epic excursions into uncharted waters, but the comforting solidity of it all is refreshing. The Pneurotics self-describe as "fun indie rock with a hint of twang." Those terms suit them best on "S. Rose," a shuffling country-rock story of a girl-done-wrong. Rich's sandy vocals come softened by Mimi's backing harmonies. The "fun indie rock" is in the biting guitar tones slipping through distortion, the "hint of twang" in the vocals and the crossroads of the characters. It's often playful and smart, too, like on "The Pedestrian," where Rich slings crispy, distorted lines at guest trumpeter Nate Osborne's brassy tones. The instruments dance around each other like a mongoose and a cobra, each looking to deliver the fatal blow.
Forty concludes with the gorgeous finger-picked solo "Song for Grace." The soft side doesn't sound forced or misfit, but rather like a sigh, equal parts relief of finishing something and pride in its creation. It's a fitting end for a debut that's a balanced mix of character and promise.
The Independent

"As a band known as much for the neighborliness of its members as for its actual music, it's sometimes easy to forget how good The Pneurotics really are. Then comes Forty to act as a bold-faced reminder.
Rich McLaughlin's well-worn vocals and meaty guitar - with well placed harmonies from his wife, Mimi - are more than enough to hold up. And in the instrumental "Song For Grace," we see in the subdued finger-picking of an extended acoustic solo, more than just a friendly neighborhood rock band.
Contentment is rare in rock music, but from The Pneurotics, it makes sense. And it's refreshing."
Bryan Reed, Diversions, The Daily Tarheel

A Live Review from WE Fest: Devirginizing my We Fest 2008 experience with The Pneurotics!
The Pneurotics hail from Chapel Hill and Durham North Carolina. They blend rock and pop ( with a dash of classic rock heart throb guitar riffs) with ease. The drummer of the band keeps the beat steady and smooth, almost to the point that you forget you are watching him work so hard (even though his eyes nd mind are focused; you can see his smile creep over his round face with each missed beat or each perfect transition). The bassist is a fun-loving, toe-tapping married woman who gets into the non-stop power brought by her husband, the guitarist Rich McLaughlin. Mimi and Rich posses a stage energy to envy. Relaxing, Calm, Laughing, Joking, Drinking, and all while killing it. Rich’s skill set on the guitar dwarfs many guitarist at the We Fest, many guitarist in general but lets not get carried away, he only has 5 fingers on each hand, so he’s not a superfreak, just a badass. Richard was wearing a Hammer No More The Finger Shirt, friendly, easy to converse with and out to have a good time. I think that’s what the band is there to do, bring a positive energy filled with momentary moments of jam, creative creations of tight transitions, and dreary vocal arrangements that climax with solid harmonies. Do The Pneurotics Kill it? Yes. Should you go to one of the shows to really understand the power? Yes.

From www.theknowbodies.com

From The Sea Cow Blog:
HOW DO WE LOVE THE PNEUROTICS? LET US COUNT THE WAYS
1) The music. Rich McLaughlin's songs are earnest, wry, wise, passionate and heartbreaking. His guitar playing is nonpareil--he's our favorite guitar player in the Triangle and there are a lot of great ones. Mimi's harmonies and steady bass pulse are perfect. The new drummer has chops to spare and he really gets it. Go buy their CD, "Forty."
2) They made their CD release party an event. They gave everyone barbecue, they booked three other great bands to play with them. They started with a brilliant acoustic set and built to a howling crescendo. They had guest stars galore--banjo, accordion, keyboards, trumpet and the amazing Jeff Whetstone on harmonica.
3) They are the loveliest people you'll ever meet. Rich and Mimi are utterly without pretense--they never bigtime anyone, although they could. They have worked tirelessly to cultivate a rich community of musicians in the Triangle without regard to age or style or fashion or what's perceived to be cool. They are 40+ with kids and yet they find time to go out and hear bands all the time. And last night they reaped what they sowed--Local 506 was PACKED and rightfully so.

Video of Mizzou acoustic with Jeff Stickley of Hammer No More the Fingers on banjo. Thanks Betsy Harris for video: Thanks to Bonnie of Sequoya for both videos. Halloween at Broad St Cafe!

Record Label:

Unsigned