Mongrel’s Reclamation ~ Old School Punk/Metal Done Right
The saying goes that behind every great man is an even greater woman. In Mongrel’s case, I don’t think any member of the band would argue that in front of this great band is an even greater woman…
By Jane Croft
A band’s ability to evolve and accept positive change is necessary to maintain a significant spot in today’s local or national music scene. True evolution has nothing to do with selling out ~ it has everything to do with pushing forward and the Worcester, MA band Mongrel could write the book on this topic.
Today, this hard rock/old school punk/metal band kills it with dangerous female singer Jessica Sierra. She’s a gal gunslinger on the mic, drilling the words and melodies of each song into the crowd. According to guitarist Adam Savage, fate led Mongrel to Sierra.
Mongrel at Uncle Eddie’s Oceanside Tavern ~ photo courtesy facebook.com/MongrelOfficial
“Mongrel had male lead singers for the first seven years,” recalls Savage. “Then we found ourselves in a situation where we were singerless with an upcoming show at the Middle East. I had become friends with [Sierra] and she was the only one I knew who could learn all the songs and the music within three days. There was never any vision for Mongrel to be a female-fronted band, but it just worked so well and added an entirely different dimension.”
And when Sierra was added to the mix, Savage and the other band members had some big decisions to make regarding projects that were already in progress.
“We started the process of recording a new full length album back when we had our male singer,” says Savage. “We spent way too long in the studio, way too much money, but it was finally done ~ mixed and mastered. Then we parted ways with the singer and the drummer.”
The songs had never seen the light of day and Savage just wasn’t feeling them. They made the tough choice to scrap all of their hard work. When Sierra joined the band, Savage and new Mongrel drummer Mike Hogan and bassist Michael Ariza headed back into the studio, started the process from scratch, and recorded their latest album, Reclamation.
A favorite off of the album is “Bored to Death.” Sierra’s voice is like cold water rushing down on your skull. She is relentless with her vocals ~ as driving and as excellent as the guitar and drum work. So often in punk bands there’s an issue with one instrument drowning the others out, or all instruments throttling the singer. Not true for Mongrel. They come together, form a beautiful machine with no part more important than the rest, and produce a sound that is hard but perfectly balanced.
When they aren’t in the studio or performing live, the band is always exploring up and coming artists ~ Savage says he’s really digging a group called Barb Wire Dolls. And these big-hearted musicians have gotten behind a variety of charitable causes throughout the years, including raising awareness and support for the West Memphis Three.
Mongrel at Tammany Hall Live Music Club ~ photo courtesy facebook.com/MongrelOfficial
Fans across New England love Mongrel, but we won’t be able to keep this band to ourselves for much longer. With their popularity rising in the UK, the band is setting their sights on going international.
“People have been telling us for the last couple of years that we need to go to the UK. So hopefully that will finally come to fruition in the coming months,” Savage says.
Given their talent and dedication to their music, we’re pretty sure we’ll be getting a post card from across the pond soon.
Mongrel definitely has solidified themselves with “Reclamation” as a band on a mission to the TOP! Their live performances only strengthen this. Having seen them live several times, every show seems to get better and better. This is a band that is taking no prisoners and has a firm grasp on the music scene in New England, and abroad! Great review!!!!! Mongrel definitely Rocks Steady!!!!