Mischief Brew

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Mischief Brew
Genre(s) Folk punk
Anarcho-punk
Years active 2000-Present
Label(s) Fistolo Records
Associated acts The Orphans
Website www.mischiefbrew.com
Members
Erik Petersen
Shawn St. Clair
Chris "Doc" Kulp
Former members
Sean Yantz
Julian Tomas Buchanan
Chris Petersen
Franz Nicolay
Peter Hess

Mischief Brew is a band from Philadelphia which plays DIY folk punk and anarcho-punk music. According to the official website, they play a mix of "pirate punk, Celtic folk, gypsy swing, devilish jazz, American olde-tyme and country."[1] Mischief Brew consists mainly of Erik Petersen, sometimes accompanied by his musician friends. Petersen draws inspiration from the protest movements of the 1960s [2], "the idea that rebellion in music didn't originate in punk rock" (Profane Existence #54, 2007), and anti-establishment artists like Woody Guthrie and Crass.[3] Mischief Brew has released 2 full albums on two different labels: Art of the Underground and Fistolo, as well as a handful of EPs.[4] In support of these records, Mischief Brew has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe.[5]

Contents

[edit] History

Mischief Brew started after Erik Petersen's previous band, The Orphans, broke up in 2000. At first, the band consisted of only Erik on an acoustic guitar or mandolin, playing songs off of the Mirth demo. In 2003, Erik released the Bellingham & Philadelphia split with Robert Blake, and the Bakenal CDEP. After extensive acoustic touring in support of the first two releases, Petersen assembled the first full-band incarnation of Mischief Brew, featuring Chris "Doc" Kulp (of Red Devil) on drums and Sean "Shantz" Yantz (of Evil Robot Us' and Abusing the Word) on bass. In 2005, he released his first full-length, Smash The Windows, featuring guest spots by artists from Leftover Crack, World/Inferno Friendship Society, and Guignol.[6] This release saw him experiment more musically, with styles ranging from gypsy-folk to ska, although the focus was still on his signature folk punk. His latest release is Songs From Under the Sink, a collection of songs written between 1997 and 2002 which stresses his anarchist beliefs and is complemented by his clever guitar melodies. Yantz left the band shortly after Songs from Under the Sink was released, and was replaced by Shawn St. Clair, who currently plays bass. Petersen also actively supports his political views; for example he headlined a show in support of a Food Not Bombs rally at Tent State University in New Brunswick, NJ.[7]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

  • Smash the Windows - 2005, Fistolo
  • Songs from Under the Sink - 2006, Fistolo

[edit] LPs

  • Bellingham & Philadelphia LP (split with Robert Blake) - 2003, Art of the Underground
  • Songs from Under the Sink LP - 2006, Fistolo Records
  • Smash the Windows LP - 2006, Gunner Records (German pressing)

[edit] EPs/7"s

  • Bakenal EP - 2003, Fistolo
  • Oh Sweet Misery 7" - 2005, Art of the Underground
  • Two Boxcars 7" (split with David Dondero) - 2005, Fistolo
  • Loved, But Unrespected 7" (split with Bread & Roses) - 2006, Fistolo
  • Art of the Underground Single Series Year 1 7" Box Set - 2006, Art of the Underground

[edit] Demos

  • Mirth, or Certain Verses Composed and Fitted to Tunes, for the Delight and Recreation of All - 2000, Fistolo
  • Live in Ray's Basement (split with Robert Blake) - 2002, Square of Opposition
  • Live on WKDU 91.7 FM - 2001, Fistolo
  • Don't Spoil Yer Supper! - 2003, Fistolo
  • Boiling Breakfast Early (collection of early demos) - 2008, Dead Format Cassette Label

[edit] Compilation appearances

  • Where the Wild Things Rock - Philly Punk Comp. (song: "Weapons")
  • This is War! - Comp. & Double Zine (song: "Liberty Unmasked (radio performance)")
  • Artists Fight the System - Pacifica Radio Double Disc (song: "Every Town Will Celebrate")
  • Art of the Underground Sampler CD - Art of the Underground (song: "Boycott Me!")
  • Beyond the Ballot (song: "The Lowly Carpenter (radio performance)")
  • Up the Stairs and Through the Hall - Sherman Arts Comp. (song: "Departure Arrival")
  • Rising Tide - Riotfolk (song: "Save a City...")
  • A Wrench in the Works: Radical Library Benefit CD - (song: "The Lowly Carpenter (radio performance)")
  • Never Forgotten, Never Forgiven - Profane Existence Records (song: "A Liquor Never Brewed")
  • 0 to 60 in 59 Bands - No!No Records (song: "Ode to a Safecracker")
  • Profane Existence #54 - Sampler and interview with Mischief Brew (song: "Tell Me A Story")

[edit] References

  1. ^ Official Mischief Brew Web Site! - Ingredients
  2. ^ Official Mischief Brew Web Site! - Press
  3. ^ Official Mischief Brew Web Site! - Press
  4. ^ Art Of The Underground Online
  5. ^ Official Mischief Brew Web Site! - Ingredients
  6. ^ ARTNOISE is a punk rock webzine ยป mischief brew (erik petersen) // smash the windows
  7. ^ YouTube - Erik Petersen - Every Town Will Celebrate

[edit] External links