Draco and the Malfoys

Draco and the Malfoys

Company type	Musical duo
Industry	Music
Founded	2004 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, United States
Founder	Brian Ross, Bradley Mehlenbacher
Defunct	2011 (disbanded)
Fate	Disbanded in 2011; reestablished in 2013
Headquarters	Woonsocket , United States
Area served	United States
Products	Music albums and EPs
Number of employees	2

Draco and the Malfoys is a wizard rock ensemble established in 2004 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The duo features half-siblings Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher, both embodying the character Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter franchise.

Since their inception, they have produced five full-length albums, one EP, and have participated in four compilation projects. Toward the end of 2013, Brian Ross announced progress on a new album and unveiled the single "Cheat to Win".

Formation and early years (2004–2005)

Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher formed Draco and the Malfoys as a satirical response to Harry and the Potters, who were playing at a nearby house gathering. In late 2004, Matt Maggiacomo invited Harry and the Potters to perform in Rhode Island, where Maggiacomo introduced his act, the Whomping Willows, alongside Ross and Mehlenbacher as Draco and the Malfoys.

According to ABC News, although Brian and Bradley share a deep enthusiasm for the Harry Potter universe akin to the DeGeorge brothers of Harry and the Potters, they also incorporate humor into their performances. Brian remarked, "We don’t resemble Draco Malfoy at all, nor are we the right age for Hogwarts," portraying Draco at ages 19 and 15.

Involvement with Harry Potter fandom and conventions (2006–2007)

Ross clarified that their staged rivalry with Harry and the Potters is purely theatrical; both bands toured together during summer 2007 and frequently collaborate on recordings. This approach of representing both fan-favorite and antagonistic characters has resonated well within the wizard rock community.

Both groups approach wizard rock with seriousness, especially during times of heightened interest surrounding new book releases. The Boston Phoenix observed that Draco and the Malfoys harness their platform to capture Pottermania, prioritizing fan interaction rather than musical elitism.

Despite speculation about wizard rock’s sustainability after the conclusion of the Harry Potter saga, Ross expressed optimism about its enduring popularity due to its established fan base. He described their involvement in wizard rock as "the most rewarding musical experience of our lives," with no intentions to cease performing.

Later years and disbandment (2008–2011)

In 2008, Draco and the Malfoys joined acts such as Tom Riddle and Friends, Whomping Willows, and Moaning Myrtles at Wrockstock held in the Ozark foothills. They followed up with their third studio release, It's A Slytherin World, along with a compilation titled Anthology of Slytherin Folk Music in 2009. Initiatives for a series of EPs commenced with Draco and the Malfoys Celebrate... Piracy!. Their final performance took place at the Yule Ball in December 2011. On December 19 of that year, they shared on Facebook: "Thank you for making our final two shows this weekend completely amazing. It's been an unbelievably gratifying 6+ years. We've been playing music together our whole lives, and always dreamt of touring and playing together. Thank you all for making our dreams come true. You've given us more awesome times than we ever could have imagined. Here's to all of our futures. Cheers! ♥ Brian & Bradley."

Lyrics

Ross and Mehlenbacher craft their songs from the viewpoint of Draco, performing dressed in Slytherin-inspired attire, featuring green and silver ties. Their lyrics, which often take a critical stance toward Harry Potter—examples include lines like "You may have freed our house elf, and brought doubt to our family name/ but your parents still got toasted by a big, green, glowing flame"—originated as a parody within the wizard rock genre but evolved into a successful, unique Harry Potter-themed garage band. Their infectious pop tunes frequently ridicule Harry's adversary Draco Malfoy, with lyrics such as "My dad's always there to open all my doors / You have to call a Patronus just to catch a glimpse of yours... my dad is rich, and your dad is dead," incorporating references to elements like the Mirror of Erised and Patronus Charm. Generally, their songs poke fun at characters including Harry, Ron, and others. When questioned about reactions from detractors, Ross mentioned that while most audiences are supportive, occasionally younger children become upset by songs targeting Neville and Harry. According to The Advocate:

The duo expressed enjoyment in exploring Draco’s mean-spirited nature; their playful lyrics are comprehended by everyone except the very youngest fans.
"Small children really take it personally," Ross remarked. "They shout at us."

Influences

Their musical inspiration stems from Harry and the Potters, who themselves were influenced by the J. K. Rowling Harry Potter novels.

Instrumental

Both musicians perform on guitar: Brian plays a Fender Stratocaster while Bradley uses a Fender Telecaster. Their live performances and recordings are frequently accompanied by a BOSS Dr. Rhythm drum machine.

Reception

Draco and the Malfoys have toured alongside Harry and the Potters, generally charging admission fees ranging from $5 to $10, with some concerts offered free of charge. Their tracks are accessible through Apple’s iTunes platform.

Discography

Studio albums

• Draco and the Malfoys (2005)
• Party Like You're Evil! (2007)
• It's a Slytherin World (2009)
• An Anthology of Slytherin Folk Songs (2009)
• Cheat to Win (2014)

Extended plays

• Family (2007)

See also

• Filk

Further reading

• Dowling, Tim. Books, films and now gigs: Harry Potter rocks. The Guardian. July 17, 2007.