Aberdeen, a recently graduated Boston College band turned professional, is not only talented, but dispenses expert health advice. "So you're sick? You should not be drinking Mountain Dew," said frontman Brad Parker to drummer Rob McKafry in a roundtable discussion with the Daily.
After a few more nuggets of wisdom, the band talked about its recent shift from the college scene to the crowded world of local Boston musicians. Aberdeen is trying to break out of the "college band" mode - while still having fun and making great music, they're taking their sound in a more polished direction.
Fortunately for Bostonians, Aberdeen is sticking around its college town. Boston, McKafry describes, has two definite types of music scenes - the up-and-coming acts and the established acts. Aberdeen falls into the former, and thinks the city would be a great place to expose people to its "somewhat different" music.
Aberdeen formed in part by chance, in part by connections. Lead guitarist Ryan Heller and McKafry played in bands together in their hometown of Chicago. Freshman year, the two were jamming in Heller's room when Ryan Kelleher walked by and inquired, "Need a bass player?" It wasn't long before he entered the fold.
Chris McGouglin, a sophomore at BC, joined the band in May after Heller heard him DJ at a local club. Already, his DJ/Trans influence is taking the band in new directions.
The band integrates both original and cover songs in its sets. Some covers in the past include Frank Sinatra, Seal, and Michael Jackson, but as McKafry insists, "No more Madonna covers."
Radiohead is also a band Aberdeen will never cover; the music would hit too close to home. Comparisons to the British band aren't totally off base - Aberdeen shares that gut-wrenching brutal honesty in its songs. That's not to say they're not fans. The band is pretty much obsessed with Radiohead.
Parker has a similar devotion to Jeff Buckley and his vocal style reflects that. After telling long stories about experiences he's had with Buckley's music, Parker ends simply by saying, "God I love Jeff Buckley." The band also appreciates the music of the Beta Band, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Beck, and each of those artists has left an indelible mark on Aberdeen, a group of true music worshippers.
While the band is certain about its interests, Aberdeen isn't quite sure what to call its own musical style. They say their music is for people who really like rock. "I can be pretentious and say art-rock," Parker said. Yet there is nothing pretentious about this band - five, laid back, really cool people.
Much of its fan base is comprised of kids just looking for a good time. The musicians say they would like to see more people who are really into what the band is doing. Who listens to Aberdeen? "13-year-old girls with Brad's face on their pillows," jokes Keller. Their core fans at BC were more of the "fringe" students, not the typical Abercrombie and Fitch-wearing crowd.
The band doesn't deny that it dislikes the pop domination of the music scene. But instead of just complaining, the members see it as a great opportunity. As Parker explains, there is a major void for people who want to listen to good rock music, and Aberdeen is ready to fill that void.
They can answer questions for one another, but not in an obnoxious or attention-grabbing sort of way. It is just the sign of close friends who have known one another for years. Their wit and intelligence come out in casual discussion, which ranges in subject matter from the Beatles to *NSYNC ("At what point did these groups start being called bands?" says Heller).
Above all Aberdeen knows music, how to write and perform it. Optimistic and excited, this band is definitely one that should not be missed.
