Boston, Massachusetts was pretty plain and untouched but after 2003 had struck goodbye plain and untouched and welcome to the punk rock metal scene that only as Mongrel.
Mongrel as many bands started things out plain and sample got some people together see which person worked out best and went from there. So in this case it led them to be included on the "5 Bands to Watch" (Hippo Press, March 2005) and "5 Bands to Discover" (Hippo Press, November 2005). They have been included in Revolver Magazine took mention and featured them in their “Raw Talent” section (Nov. 2005) and was included in Metal Edge Magazine twice, having them describe them as “the hardest working band in Boston” and being included on the monthly sampler CD with Ozzy Osbourne and Cradle Of Filth.
In September 2008, Mongrel was featured on Loudside.com’s “Underground Buzz” and since then they have toured throughout the U.S. repeatedly sharing numerous stages with such acts as The Misfits, FEAR, Korn, GWAR, Fu Manchu, Dizzy Reed (Guns N' Roses), The Exploited, Prong, Otep, Wednesday 13, Michale Graves, Blitzkid, The Independents, Trashlight Vision, Piggy D’s Evacuation Plan, Mushroomhead, Hed(pe), American Headcharge, Mower, Psychostick, All That Remains, among others. This lead them to get airplay in no time being played on such major airwaves as WAAF, WBCN, WFNX, WGIR, WHEB, as well as Sirius/XM and Music Choice. Along the way, Mongrel has earned an impressive collection of endorsements and sponsorships including Marshall Amps, Peavey, Monster Cable, Seymour Duncan pickups, Dean Markley strings, Agile guitars, In Tune Guitar Picks, Cabin Fever Whiskey, and Cocaine & Brawndo energy drinks.
Mongrel's first full length album "Fear, Lies, & Propaganda" was re-released by Screaming Ferret Wreckords/ Locomotive Records / Ryko Distribution on April 8th, 2008. The album featured such tracks as “Bound to Crash,” “Dyslexic Alchemist (Fucked it all away),” “No Gods, No Masters,” and especially “West Memphis Hell,” which focused on the highly controversial West Memphis 3 case.
The follow-up was a 5-song EP titled “Revenge” (2009) recorded by Tim Koukos (Nuclear Assault, Meliah Rage) at SFW studios in Manchester, NH and was mixed by Jeff Wallace (Biohazard, Pro-Pain, End of an Era) at Entrolab Studio in Toms River, NJ and garnered great reviews from fans and critics alike as well as airplay on Sirius/XM and Music Choice.
Though they had already done so much as it were things were about to change as recruited a whole new line that introduced frontwomen vocalist Jessica Sierra and drummer Dave Kazukiewicz. After those brief additions, the band had entered the studio two more times recording a brand new EP “The New Breed of Old School” which featured six songs from the “Fear, Lies, and Propaganda” release. Thus leading to them to write, and record new material that would be included on their next LP "Reclamation".
Mongrel has gotten away with it all since the beginning and now that they’ve reintroduced the band to fans who was there from the brink of it all up until this point this is an unforgettable experience of high end energy that’s intensity fun and interactive. Fans can expect a band that is always willing to hang out and chat and feel the love of the music.
1. So why Mongrel? What possessed you guys to want to use that name to represent your band?
Adam: When I started the band with our original singer Matt "Death" Rowe, we knew we were looking to make the band a mix of styles/genres including rock, punk, metal, and whatever else we felt like at any given time and certainly with an aggressive edge to it. Matt presented the idea of "Mongrel" - a mixed breed, and the name had that implied aggression to it too, so it was perfect.
2. "The New Breed of Old School" is your debut EP and your working on your upcoming full-length debut what are the differences between the two?
3. Do you have a title for the full-length or do you want to keep everything a secret?
Adam: It's going to be called "Reclamation", however, there just might be a companion release coming out too so we'll keep that one a secret for now ;)
4. What about labels have any approached you with any offers?
Adam: Since we mutually parted ways with Screaming Ferret Wreckords in 2009 we've just been working independently under our own Immolation Records. We're always open to considering other options if something comes across that makes sense for us and will help get us further towards where we want to get, but as of now we're still planning on the new album coming out under the Immolation Records moniker.
5. What are the three words that would best describe your music?
Jess: "In yo' faaaace!!!!"
Adam: "aggressive, empowering, cathartic".
6. Where can the fans gain access to your music?
Adam: Our latest EP "The New Breed of Old School", I'm sure the upcoming new material, and our prior full length and EP, can be found on Amazon, i-Tunes, http://mongrel.bandcamp.com , and streaming on sites like lastfm, our facebook.com/mongrelofficial page, myspace.com/mongrel, and reverbnation.com/mongrelband
7. You guys take your inspiration from such acts as The Misfits and Wednesday 13. Have you heard of another horror punk act called Calabrese?
Adam: I'd definitely say the Misfits were an influence, we've been very fortunate and have gotten to play with them half a dozen times as well as with Michale Graves a bunch and we've certainly played some shows with W13 but I wouldn't cite him as an influence as much honestly. I dig the first Murderdolls CD, but I wouldn't say it was an influence as much as say Trashlight Vision is (featuring Acey Slade, formerly of the Murderdolls). I actually just recently discovered Calabrese honestly as our recently departed bassist's band will be doing some shows with them coming up. The stuff I've heard from them was definitely cool though!8. Most bands have at least one if not a collection of band t-shirts. How many would you say you have and which is your favorite and why?
Jess: I honestly only have 9 band shirts and only 1 of those is a "national" band (Guns N' Roses). I'm a huge believer in supporting local musicians and wear local shirts. My fave is my Scarecrow Hill shirt they're my FAVE band ever!
Dave: I probably have 50 band shirts. KISS & Danzig would be my favorites.
Adam: I probably have more black band t-shirts than anyone other than Dave perhaps! lol. My favorites would be... Trashlight Vision ("Fuck Emo, Let's Fuck"), and Misfits (Red crimson ghost logo shirt).
9. What is the most horrorfying thing you've ever seen and why?
Dave: Most horrifying thing I've ever seen was a clip of Celine Dion singing an AC/DC song. The worst thing about it was that she didn't burst into flames! This is evidence that there is no god.
Jess: I would have to agree with Dave on the Celine Dion thing... -shiver.
10. If you had the chance the clone yourself how would your copy act and what would you want them to do?
Adam: I'd have them take care of all the business stuff so I'd have more time to hang out with fans and play music. Or, rent them out as "lergnoM - the ultimate Mongrel tribute band" to help raise some extra money for our expenses.
11. Everyone has their favorite style of music but is there a genre that people wouldn't even guess they'd find you listening too?Dave: I listen to blues, jazz, & sometimes... classical music.
Jess: Blues... I LOVE the Blues
Adam: In addition to the obvious, punk/rock/metal stuff, I'm also into industrial music, blues on occasion, and some (I'm VERY picky with this) rap - especially Eminem or old school aggressive rap (Public Enemy, NWA, Ice T, Ice Cube).
12. Where do you see Mongrel five years from now?
Dave: In 5 years I see Mongrel headlining world tours.
Adam: Damn I hope Dave's right!
13. How about touring is Mongrel going to be hitting the road this year?
Adam: Yeah, we're going to be doing a bit more traveling this year if things go as planned, we're definitely planning on hitting the Midwest, down the east coast, and hopefully the U.K. this year as well as regional northeastern U.S. shows. Hopefully the new album will catch on and we'll get to do even more.
14. Is there anything you would like to say to the fans of Mongrel?
Jess: To the fans THANK YOU!
Adam: Couldn't say it any better than that...THANK YOU! Be sure to definitely come talk to us at shows, hit us up online (facebook.com/mongrelofficial or facebook.com/mongrelband or twitter.com/mongrelband), etc - We love hearing from you and meeting you and hanging out at shows!
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