Combine a love for the blues with a bottle of funk, and a heaping helping of old fashioned rock and roll and you’ve got the sound of The Few. Often compared to such bands as The Black Keys or Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Few lay down riffs that hearken back to the days when Led Zeppelin was king.
When deciding which tracks to include on Headstock, The Few went straight to the source – enlisting their fans’ aid in selecting nothing but crowd favorites, front to back. Featuring upbeat rockers like “Never Be The Same” and “Burning Up”, the songs from Headstock are road-tested and fan-approved, and elicit great response no matter where the band plays.
FUN FEW FACT #1: Headstock producer James Willetts came to work with The Few after an extensive career at the legendary Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California – where he worked with a long list of prestigious clients including Carlos Santana, Tracy Chapman, Buddy Guy, and Jerry Garcia.
The Few formed in Boston in 2005 as a collaboration between musical and romantic partners Kevin MacKenzie and Jaime Rioux (now Jaime MacKenzie), Drummer Shaemus Shepard was added after the 2006 release of their debut album, “South Side Of Somewhere.” Ryan Martin, bassist extraordinaire and luthier for Becker Guitars, stepped in a few years later and added an entirely new element to the band’s existing catalog of songs with rhythmic and intricate bass lines.
FUN FEW FACT #2: Bassist Ryan Martin is an accomplished luthier for Becker Guitars, having personally crafted guitars for members of Umphrey’s McGee, Disco Biscuits, and moe., among others. Martin hand-made all of the guitars used by The Few, as well as their speaker cabinets and custom pedalboards.
With this new lineup solidified, The Few have spent the past two years developing an army of loyal fans and whipping them into a frenzy with each mind-blowing show.
FUN FEW FACT #3: Kevin and Shaemus met at a poker game… leading to a bet that Shaemus would have to sit in for a show if he lost… Sure enough, Shaemus lost.
The Few have drawn great response in the local press over the past several years. Playground Boston calls them “a group quickly distinguishing itself as a premier act in a sea of bands,”while The Noise says “the dual female/male lead vocal is like having vanilla and chocolate soft serve in the same funky cone.” Limelight Magazine loves their “positive vibe and funky groove,” and Boston Band Crush has lauded the band’s “masterful vision of the entire being of a song.” The Few also regularly receives airtime on radio stations throughout New England, and has a large following on several popular national internet radio stations as well.
The Few will be playing a holiday show at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA on 12/23. You can also see them at Ralph’s in Worcester, MA on 1/13. Look for The Few to host an intimate CD release party for Headstock in late January at The Magic Room Gallery in Brighton, MA, and keep an eye out for an official announcement for the CD release and the party.
The Few is:
Kevin MacKenzie (guitar/vocals)
Jamie MacKenzie (percussion/vocals)
Shaemus Shepard (drums)
Ryan Martin (bass)
Headstock track listing:
Start a Revolution
Never Be the Same
Tipping Point
Burning Up
Only My Love
Shoulda Known Better
Wanna Get Down
The False
Red Pills
Losing My Mind
Smokescreen
