“Come on back over here,” said the parents of twin brothers, Neal and Cole Friedman, as the two sat in their family kitchen with three other band mates trying to decide on a new name for their group.
“Come on back over here,” said the parents of twin brothers, Neal and Cole Friedman, as the two sat in their family kitchen with three other band mates trying to decide on a new name for their group.
Before this brainstorming session, the crew had played two shows under a different alias until they decided to revamp their image because “‘The Yolks’ just wasn’t that cool,” said Neal Friedman.
The brothers, along with their high school classmates Michael Adkins, Harry Slater, and Tyler West, slung the first three words into one, added a ‘major,’ to the beginning, and from there the rest is history.
That was seven years ago when the now members of Major and the Monbacks began their journey into the world of music in Norfolk, Virginia.
The twin brothers graduated from college last Spring immediately after which they decided to “just jump right in,” to touring, said Neal. “Beginning as late night jam sessions in Neal’s bedroom in 2008, the Monbacks transitioned from high school garage band into traveling college band, and finally, after college, into a full time east coast touring band,” according to the group’s website.
Their transition to life on the road required the band members to adopt a new sink-or-swim attitude. Touring was a natural step in the right direction, said Neal, but “you definitely learn fast,” he added.
“We learned lots of life lessons on that first tour,” and apparently, not for nothing.
Major and the Monbacks released their debut, full-length album this past April.
However, the excitement of signing a recording contract slowly developed into determination to conquer the challenge ahead. The band had their work cut out for them as they had just hired a new drummer not long before they were set to record. In fact, the biggest challenge the Monbacks faced took place outside of the studio, according to Neal. Finding a cohesivity was no easy and they “practiced everyday for about a month leading up to recording to get everything super tight,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Monbacks got it done in an impressive ten days, though they were ten days of recording for 11-12 hours each. Comprising of three different singers/songwriters and a full eight-piece ensemble, the band’s diligence was clear.
Deciding which songs to include on the album was a different story. “When we were thinking about recording, we had to look at all of our songs in a whole new light,” said Neal.
The group had been playing many of the pieces for years, but hearing the songs played back in the studio forced the band to look at each under a magnifying glass and be honest about what did and did not work.
The fluidity of their final decisions and astute ears for music is plain in their collection of work which is now available on Itunes, Bandcamp, and Spotify.
“Their songs are pure celebration, a tribute to the days when a soulful tune and a willing voice were all that was needed for a good time,” according to C-Ville Weekly. Juxtaposing complex instruments and melodies with the simplicity of performing purely because they enjoy it takes listeners back to the ease of the 60’s. Thus, “there’s not a concept for the album,” said Neal. The Monbacks let their music speak for itself.
“Major and the Monbacks have created their own blend of rock n roll, merging retro 60’s rock n roll, psychedelic twang, soaring three-part harmonies, and the high energy and horn laden grit of southern soul,” says their website, all of which is apparent in their latest music video shown below.
So Richmonders, c‘Monback to The Broadberry to catch Major and the Monbacks at the Floyd Fest Kick Off Party Wednesday, July 22.
