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Mean Creek (band)

From Alfawiki
Mean Creek
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded2006
Defunct2015
Headquarters
Boston, Massachusetts
,
United States
ProductsStudio albums, singles, EPs

Mean Creek was an American rock ensemble from Boston, Massachusetts, composed of four members and active between 2006 and 2015. The group consisted of Chris Keene on lead vocals and guitar, Aurore Ounjian handling lead guitar and backing vocals, Mikey Holland on drums, and Kevin Macdonald playing bass.

Throughout their career, the band produced four studio albums.

Origins and band name (2006)

Chris Keene and Aurore Ounjian initially performed as a folk duo before expanding into a full band by adding drummer Mikey Holland and bassist Erik Wormwood in 2006. Holland regarded this lineup as the definitive formation, with the intention to release several records regardless of commercial outcomes.

The band's name was derived from the 2004 film Mean Creek, chosen for its themes of emotional depth and alienation that resonated with their artistic vision. Keene highlighted how the movie’s focus on youth identity struggles influenced their lyrical content.

Initial phase and Around the Bend era (2007–2009)

Their first album, Around the Bend (2007), was recorded solely by Keene and Ounjian. By the time of their second album, The Sky (Or the Underground), released in 2009, drummer Mikey Holland and bassist Erik Wormwood—both previously members of Boston’s grunge band Tulsa—had joined the lineup. In 2008, the complete band toured alongside Dead Confederate and Catfish Haven.

During 2009, Mean Creek appeared at the SXSW Music Festival and embarked on tours with Cotton Jones, The Everyday Visuals, The Whigs, and The Features. Their recognition included being named one of "10 Bands to Check Out" by The Improper Bostonian in 2008, as well as securing a nomination for "Outstanding Americana Act" at the Boston Music Awards.

Growing acclaim with The Sky (Or the Underground) (2009–2010)

Released in 2009, The Sky (Or Underground) received widespread critical praise and earned Mean Creek the "New Act of the Year" award at the Boston Music Awards. The Boston Globe lauded it as "set to become one of the finest local releases that year."

In July 2010, they issued the single The Comedian both digitally and on a limited-edition 7" vinyl. Four tracks from this release were featured on MTV’s hit series Teen Mom. Later that year, The Boston Phoenix honored them as "Boston’s Best Act," while they also received nominations for both "Song of the Year" and "Album of the Year" at the 2010 Boston Music Awards. This period saw them touring with Bettie Serveert and Dead Confederate.

Sustained prominence (2011)

In 2011, Mean Creek toured with Buffalo Tom and performed again at SXSW. They unveiled a four-track EP titled Hemophiliac, produced by John Agnello, known for collaborations with Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and The Hold Steady, alongside releasing the single The Land Of Hopes & Dreams. Originally intended as a full album, financial constraints led them to self-fund and reduce it to an EP. Released through Bandcamp under a "pay what you can" pricing model, they communicated this approach via their blog to emphasize accessibility and encourage fan support.

The EP received critical acclaim, winning "Best Act" from The Boston Phoenix and securing "Album/EP of the Year" at the Boston Music Awards. Toward late 2011, they announced plans for their third full-length album slated for spring 2012.

Youth Companion (2012–2013)

Mean Creek commenced recording their subsequent full-length project on December 28, 2011, at 1867 Studios with producer Chris McLaughlin. The tracking sessions concluded by January 14, followed by mixing beginning on January 18. This album, named Youth Companion, was officially released in 2012.

Local Losers (2013–2014)

Approximately one year after releasing Youth Companion, Mean Creek revealed plans for a new album titled Local Losers. Prior to the album's debut on April 8, 2014, the band issued the lead single "Cool Town" and its successor "My Madeline". Kevin Macdonald stepped in as bassist after Erik Wormwood departed to dedicate time to his family.

Disbandment (2015)

Mean Creek announced their decision to disband on May 4, 2015, with a final performance scheduled for July 25 at The Middle East venue in Cambridge. Following the group's dissolution, Mikey Holland pursued a new musical direction by forming the rock band The Dazies, releasing multiple EPs and an LP between 2015 and 2017. Additionally, Aurore Ounjian joined Beach Slang as their lead guitarist in December 2016.

Line-up

  • Chris Keene – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2006–2015)
  • Kevin Macdonald – bass (2013–2015)
  • Aurore Ounjian – backing vocals, lead guitar (2006–2015)
  • Mikey Holland – drums (2006–2015)

Former members

  • Erik Wormwood – bass (2006–2013)

Albums

  • Around the Bend (2007)
  • The Sky (Or the Underground) (2009)
  • Youth Companion (2012)
  • Local Losers (2014)

Singles and EPs

  • "The Comedian" (2010)
  • Hemophiliac EP (2011)
  • "The Land Of Hopes & Dreams" (2011)
  • "Young & Wild" (2012)
  • "Cool Town" (2013)
  • "My Madeline" (2014)
  • "Forgotten Streets" (2015)

Compilations

  • 2011 Old Flame Records Summer Sampler

2008

2009

2010

2011

External links

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