Artist description The Drop Band was founded in 1997 as the house band for Paul Mascott and Hank Wagner's theatrical show 'Drop' performed in New York City May through December of that year. When the show closed, Mascott developed the band into a recording and performing entity separate from the show and began making records with The Drop Band in 1999. Their records have achieved critical acclaim and their music has appeared in movies and on television including the MTV shows 'Road Rules', 'Extreme', 'Senseless Acts of Video' and 'Road Rules'. Drop Band music also appears in the independent film 'Flophouse' produced by Pyramid Productions and is featured on Radio Free Virgin. They continue to develop new music on Syberdelix Records in New York City.

Music Style Psychedelic Rock

Musical Influences Psychedelic Rock and Experimental Music

Similar Artists Garbage, Pink Floyd

Artist History Paul Mascott and The Drop Band The Drop Band was born as the house band for the original production of Paul Mascott and Hank Wagner's show "Drop". The critically acclaimed theater piece, directed by Christine Mascott, ran May through December 1997 in New York City. The Drop Band is a collective of session and touring musicians based in New York and Boston which work with Mascott to flesh out the many psychedelic rock recordings and shows conceived by him. An eclectic group, members boast credits such as "Rent" on Broadway, "Blue Man Group", "Yngwie Malmsteen", "Tommy" national and international tours, "Powerman 5000" and many more. "Drop" was conceived by Mascott as a concept album which could be translated into the rock arena through the use of theatrical devices and show formulas. With the initial success of the show in 1997, Mascott decided to keep the idea growing by keeping the show's band together. After a number of personnel changes in 1998 and the drastic expansion of Mascott's song catalog, the lineup now appearing on their records was solidified and plans for the first records were made. In 1999, Mascott teamed up with Tom Lynn to create Squelch Records and produce the Drop Band's first commercial release "Dropout" along with the launch of Dropband.com. Critically acclaimed for the arrangements, production, and overall musicianship, "Dropout" set the stage for future recordings. Since its release, tracks from the record have been licensed by several MTV shows including "Road Rules", "Extreme", "Senseless Acts of Video", and "Undressed" among others. "Groovy Bump Melon", the first track from the record, was nominated for Best Modern Rock Song of 2001 by the Just Plain Folks organization and is also on the playlist for Virgin Records Independent Artists label launched in 2001. It was also used in the independent film "Flophouse" released by Pyramid Productions in Oregon. In February 2000, Paul began work on an acoustic version of the Drop Band sound and the result was "The Rain Falls Now" released on his label Syberdelix Records in September of the same year. The record was an electro-acoustic experiment and features the hand percussion of Joe Mowatt to round out the more subdued folk-like quality of the record. "Ganja Tree", written by Dropband member Hank Wagner, has appeared on the High Times internet radio station. "The Rain Falls Now" was re-released in 2001 thanks to a special deal made between SpringBound Music and Syberdelix Records. The record's title track also contains lyrical contributions from New York verse playwright Kirk Wood Bromley. In June 2000, drummer John Macaluso (TNT, ARK, Yngwie Malmsteen) began working with Mascott on the third Drop Band album "The Drop Band:Prophets". The results of their first session together were monstrous- over 6 hours of recorded material was created and tracking for the record was completed in November of the same year. The first release was out by February 2001 in the form of a three song maxi-single with the remaining tracks yet to be put out as an LP. Plans are in the works for an early 2002 release. "Prophets" is an experiment in extreme psychedelic metal and represents the harder side of the Drop Band. Songs from "Prophets" has been used in the national release of Florida based stunt motorcycle team "Team X-Treem"'s video "Judgment Day". In June 2001, Mascott and Macaluso began work on their dedication to Keith Moon entitled "UnHappy Jack". The album features Mascott and Macaluso's arrangements of 8 classic Who songs with Randy Coven (Steve Vai, Malmsteen, ARK) on bass, Jorn Lande (ARK in Norway) on vocals and other members of The Drop Band. The record has been written about throughout Europe and there will be word on a release date by summer 2002. Drop Band member Christine Mascott is now appearing as lead vocalist for the Drop Band's fourth L.P. entitled "There's Only Sound" and also features Mascott and Macaluso.

Group Members Paul Mascott, guitars John Macaluso, drums Jordan Cohen, drums Joe Mowatt, percussion Ed Broms, bass Derek Wieland, bass Matt Beck, guitar (on prophets) Lane Sparber, 12-string (on sound) Hank Wagner, Harp/ Vox Tom Lynn, Sax Sergio Bustamante, Sax Nelson Foltz, Bone Dan Yeager, Trumpet Sammy Clementine, Engineer

Instruments Guitars!!!, drums, bass, horns, harp, vocals, hand percussion

Albums Dropout, The Rain Falls Now, Prophets, There's Only Sound

Press Reviews Here's a review of our first record by Ben Ohmart (found online at the muse's muse http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-dropout.html):"'Groovy Bump Melon' has a lot going onin it. Imagine a Parliament session, withall those voices and wah guitar, horns,bass bass bass. One of the hits of the44 minute cd. Good acoustic guitar work on 'The DrugSong', and I like the way the drumscreep up on you before you realize it. Nota fan of that filtered, shouting kind ofvocal, but that's me. 'Himalaya' is aninteresting blend of sounds. You mightexpect it to be the soundtrack ofmountain climbers. One of my favoritesof the cd, if not my Fav. Power house. 'Find Your Mind' explodes into being likea train hitting a car, lots of crash in thecymbals, and high voices in the back.Fine party music. House party of course! Worth checking out. Definitely."

Location New York, NY - USA

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