Poet Composer Multi- Instrumentalist Arranger
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Poet Unique Composer Creative Individual Multi- Exceptional Eclectic Instrumentalist Unconventional Arranger Spiritual Sound -scaper Spirited After sixteen years in the Austin One of the keys to his style is his Keyboard music scene, Francis McGrath h as writing process. “Most of my songs released his first album, “No Less start as poems. In fact, most of my Bass Days”. He is also bringing his music poems haven’t been set to music. to Austin stages with his band, The But sometimes a poem makes it Guitar Frequency Mods. clear to me that it wants to be a Drums song and the poem dictate s the Growing up listening to bands like style the music will be.” The writing Penny Whistle The Alan Parsons Project, Rush, of the music is facilitated by the Dulcimer Yes, Pink Floyd, The Who, Styx, fact that Francis is a multi- Queen and Kansas, Francis instrumentalist. Trombone dev eloped a very open mind. “Those bands would try anything if While Francis performed most of it felt right for the song, and I the instruments himself, the album really respect that. I loved getting also includes appearances by one of their new albums, listening Austin singing legend Maryann to it with headphones while Price and Will Taylor of reading the lyrics and checking out Strings Attached . the artwork. It was a comp lete experience.” Since then, a growing When asked what’s next, Francis number of artists have ended up laughed and said, “Right now, I in his CD collection, including Bela only have ideas for about seven Fleck and the Flecktones, Suzanne more albums. I’m also really Vega, Sarah McLachlan, Seal, enjoying playing live with The Dave Brubeck, Abra Moore, They Frequency Mods” Might Be Giants, Weather Report, Philip Glass and a h uge number of “No Less Days”: the soundtracks. stunning debut album. www.francismcgrath.com 512.468.5299 [email protected] Francis McGrath Live People Francis Has Played With Places Francis Has Played The Greatest American Heroes (Austin’s Favorite TV Theme / Surf Band) The Saxon Pub The Rock Art Replicants The Carousel Lounge (a cover band that spec ialized in artists like Pink Floyd, The Central Market Moody Blues, Kansas, Genesis, Yes, Rush, The Alan Parsons The Salt Lick Project, Styx, Queen and many others) The Dell Diamond All over 6 th street Lee Edwards (singer/songwriter) Most neighborhood bars Billy Goerdt (singer/songwriter) Bookstores The Big House (original jam-band) Museums Unzipped (funk band) Churches Castanear (jazz band) Landfills The Consistency of Jelow (experimental fusion band) Fire drills Dozens of cover bands Francis McGrath In the Studio Francis performed and recorded most of “No Less Days” in his home studio. Though this is the first album released in his own name, he has years of studio experience, including: Music for Student Films Music for Short Films Music for CD ROMs Demos for various bands He has also recorded new age style music to back meditation CDs. This has led to a very exciting project where he improvises music to accompany an author reading her poetry. Recently he arranged and recorded all the parts for a musica l based on the biblical book of “Esther”. www.francismcgrath.com 512.468.5299 [email protected] Francis McGrath And The Frequency Mods The challenge of the Frequency Mods is to bring Francis’ original music to the stage. Each musician in the band has wide-rangi ng experiences, including rock and jazz, and brings their expertise with their instruments to these challenging songs. The result is an organic, flowing, musical experience full of creativity and improvisation. The band also brings their own original mate rial and their favorite classic-rock cover tunes. On any given night, you will hear rock classics from such artists as The Moody Blues, The Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Fleetwood Mac, Jimi Hendrix, Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne and more. Meet The Frequency Mods Steve Gavigan Chris La Cava Brad Mock Drums, Vocals Guitar, Mandolin Bass Steve Gavigan--dynamic, multi- Chris La Cava has over 15 years Brad Mock (aka BassBrad) has style drummer for the Frequency experience playing guitar in an been playing bass for over 30 Mods-- took up percussion in 1985, eclectic span of projects. His years. He has formally studied several years after relocating to musical roots are firmly string bass, classical guitar and New Orleans from Massachusetts. established in the experimental percussion. His vast live ex perience His diversity can be heard in his indie rock scene that grew out covers blues, punk, rock, jazz trios, live performance and recorded of the North East during the pit orchestras for musicals, sessions with bands of varying 1990s. Now located in Austi n, professional chamber ensembles musical genres, including jazz, Chris is part of various projects and symphony orchestras. His Latin, big band, second line, ranging from Latin Jazz and recording experience includes Cajun, Americana, brass band European folk music to professional studios from his and children's music. Since moving composing and performing hometown in Temple, TX to New to Austin in 1998, Steve has music for local Austin theatrical York, Nashville and LA. Afte r recorded and played with various performances. Among the being a musical gypsy for 10 years Texas bands, and continues accolades he has received is The he settled in Austin. Since then, he frequent musical road trips back Austin Theater Association's Best has played and recorded for to New Orleans. He recently Original Musical C omposition many name performers around completed a yearlong residency as 2004. town. Currently, Brad is playing in drummer for Glenn Yarbrough several bands, involved in several and the Havenstock River Band, recording projects, and is a tour that k icked off on the main recording a solo project in his stage of the Kerrville Folk Festival. home studio. www.francismcgrath.com 512.468.5299 [email protected] Quotes “Francis McGrath possesses a singular talent for writing/arranging/playing music with emphasis on the ballad. He is capable of scoring a film, sound engineering his own projects, and playing kick-ass rock'n'roll keyboard live.” Maryann Price – Austin Jazz Legend, The Texas Music Hall of Fame, The Western Swing Hall Of Fame, Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks, The Kinks and Asleep At The Wheel In His Own Words “What I’m asking of you, “That boy can write! And play.” I’m asking of me.” Tary Owens – Late, great, Austin music producer, Texas Music Incomplete Hall of Fame “Without perpetual pavement, I sit completely complacent.” Nature Of Greed “A sorta 80's rock/boogie/cool/synth ear-candy fusion with complete theatricality! "No Less Days" is really a “We only like to kill people we can’t see” gem!” For Lack Of A Better War Michelle Dibucci – Film Composer (Creapshow, Wendigo) “Jumps onto the stage to do his tricks in a public outrage” My Lion Double Pun -ishment “The stars won’t respond, not by me, not by my amends” Francis is a two-time World Champion At Day’s End Punster from the O Henry Punoff. He won Punniest-Of-Show in 1998 for his “Alphabet “My room: my cell Song” which was played on Dr. Demento. In My office: my quarry 2005, he won again for “Star Wars: The My obligations: my guards” Musical”. I Might As Well Be In Prison “She’s Venus in a horrid shell. Her inner pride becomes expressed, For bookings and more A nameless grace that stores cannot sell.” information: She Limps In Beauty Through The Mall Visit www.francismcgrath.com “The only things that I take with Email [email protected] me are the only things that I leave Phone 512.468.5299 behind” No Less Days www.francismcgrath.com 512.468.5299 [email protected] .