Recent Press
Catch & Release: Ashlands Attic
04/22/2010
By David Boffa STAFF Worcester Magazine
Each member of this pop-rock foursome went to Fitchburg State, but they didn’t come together as a band in college. They formed after the members graduated, naming themselves after their practice space—an attic in an Ashland home. Despite no longer college bound, Ashland’s Attic has a definitive college radio sound. The peppy fuzz guitars, rollicking bass lines, and cowbell-laced drums on “Oh, Yeah!” are similar to the jangle pop that bands like the Replacements rocked on college stations back in the day. And even though the serene chorus of “Oh, yeah, it’s all right” is a form-fit college radio anthem, it’s only part of what makes Ashland’s Attic so great—the other part being their lead singer sounds like Steve Perry from Journey. Ryan McMullen, with his crisp, high-pitched vocals, updates “Don’t Stop Believin’“ with the lines “your chips are down, the cards are drawn…don’t you know you’ll still be fine.” Any band that plays college rock with monster ballad swagger will outgrow Metrowest attics.
What you’re listening to: Ashlands Attic
11/12/2009
By Victor D. Infante TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
Ashlands Attic Mark R. Lawton, bass and background vocals
What’s on Lawton’s iPod:
“Whoo Alright Yeah Uh Huh,” by the Rapture “Across The Universe,” by the Beatles “Silver Lining,” by Rilo Kiley “Folding Chair,” by Regina Spektor “Lovefool” by the Cardigans “Bohemian Rhapsody,” by Queen “How It Ends,” by DeVotchka “The Power of Love,” by Huey Lewis & the News “Two Princes,” by the Spin Doctors “Where is my Mind?” by the Pixies “Pop” is a loaded word. On the one hand, it’s short for “popular,” and if something’s a “pop song,” it’s likely got a good many fans. On the other hand, it has some derogatory connotations: serious music listeners will deride a “pop song” as being trite, as appealing to the lowest common denominator.
Mark R. Lawton, of the band Ashlands Attic, isn’t afraid of pop music. Whether it be classic pop such as the Beatles and Queen, or bands that haven’t quite lost their heavy-radio-rotation tarnish, such as the Spin Doctors or Huey Lewis and the News, Lawton knows what he likes, and isn’t afraid to admit it.
For complete article click here......
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Press
Mark R. Lawton, of the band Ashlands Attic, isn’t afraid of pop music. Whether it be classic pop such as the Beatles and Queen, or bands that haven’t quite lost their heavy-radio-rotation tarnish, such as the Spin Doctors or Huey Lewis and the News, Lawton knows what he likes, and isn’t afraid to admit it.
For complete article, Click Here.
Noise in the Attic
11/5/2009
Victor Infante
Ashland’s Attic — allegedly named for the space where the band first met and jammed — has a fresh, vibrant sound, laced with upbeat grooves and melodic vocals. There’s something timeless and unjaded about songs such as “Sticky Situation” or “Unexpected Happenings,” something that just lends itself to head-bopping. In a lot of ways, the band captures the incandescent joy that made electric Buddy Holly-era rock so electrifying: The music’s straightforward, clean and very, very fun. Ashland’s Attic performs with the Tokyo Tramps at 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Lucky Dog Music Hall, 89 Green St., Worcester.
Catch Ashlands Attic
at Lucky Dog Music Hall in Worcester Tonight
6/16/2009
By Chris Bergeron/DAILY NEWS STAFF
ASHLAND — The Beatles played their first gig in Liverpool's Casbah Club. Aerosmith first performed together at Nipmuc Regional High School.
And the up-and-coming band named Ashlands Attic was born in a Pizzeria Uno in Westborough by college buddies who "wanted to reclaim the music of the '60s."
Four guys met at Fitchburg State College in 2002, hung out together and, after graduation, went their separate ways.
Looking back, Ben Larracey recalled, "It's a funny thing. We roomed together. We all liked the Beatles but starting a band never came up. We never even thought about playing together."
Three years after graduating in 2006, Larracey got together with old friends Ryan McMullen of Worcester and Joe Benatti of Natick last August at Pizzeria Uno. Over Diet Cokes, they decided they had to do something about the state of music today.
"We wondered 'Why isn't there a band like the Beatles anymore,"'
recalled Larracey, 25. "We were all of the same mind. We wanted
to make fun, catchy songs that aren't hard rock.
Not screaming music but maybe a couple of screams."
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