Hailing from Massachusetts' North Shore, The Brew formed in 2002 when longtime friends Dave Drouin (guitars/vocals) and Kelly Kane (drums) teamed up with brothers Chris (keyboards/vocals) and Joe Plante (bass/vocals). It was clear from the start that together they forged a special musical relationship.
In 2003 and 2004 the group recorded a pair of demos with producer/musician, Bobby Keyes. The first, titled Tea Time (2003) introduced the band's concise songwriting style with three to four minute songs. The follow up, Deja Brew (2004) showcased the bands improvisational skills, often keeping the first take to give the recording a live feel. During this period The Brew played out 4 to 5 nights a week. They carefully honed their skills by playing local bars and small theaters that they would rent out in order to produce their own all-age events. The result was a unit possessing that indefinable “IT” and a loyal and eager fan base that follows them show-to-show. On any given night fans are left feeling that they are part of something truly special.
Their crowd entered a noticeable growth spurt in 2005, and by the years' end had expanded throughout New England. They went from an impressive opening act to a captivating headliner at small clubs and began to move up the depth charts of New England festivals like The Harvest Fest in Maine and The Wormtown Music Festival in Massachusetts.
In 2006 The Brew continued building Northeast markets and solidifying a base of rabid fans. They were invited to open for Bruce Hornsby and were subsequently voted Best Opening Act of 2006 by Bruce Hornsby fan site Bruuuce.com. That year they also won Relix Magazine's “Jam-off” and released their first full-length album titled, The Key. This album features trademark Brew harmonies found in the album's single, "Hunters Moon" and contains aggressive guitar driven jams highlighted by the album's closing track, "Radio Swiss."
The overall sound of The Key is marked by carefully crafted songs with poignant, thought-provoking lyrics, combined with easy access music that hooks the listener. Both in the studio and on stage The Brew appeals to rock, funk, jam, jazz, reggae, and pop enthusiasts alike, and it has been said that their music summons the spirits of artists such as Peter Gabriel, Queen, and The Police.
In 2007 their reputation broke local boundaries and started turning heads as a buzz began to spread throughout the Internet, etching The Brew a place in the independent, improvisational rock scene. They were invited to participate in moe.’s Snoe.down festival alongside moe., The Disco Biscuits, The Brazilian Girls, and Little Feat. Elsewhere, throughout the year, they shared the stage with acts like State Radio, Strangefolk, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Tim Reynolds, and Stephen Perkins’ Banyan project. They joined the Home Grown Music Network, added new merchandise, and continued to sell thousands of copies of The Key.
At the tail end of 2007 they spent over a month in Virginia recording their next studio album with famed producer/musician Bobby Read. This album titled, Back to the Woods, is scheduled for a spring 2008 release.
