Mistle Thrush (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Alternative rock music albums and singles |
Mistle Thrush was a 1990s alternative rock ensemble from Boston, Massachusetts featuring a female lead vocalist. The Boston Herald characterized their sound as a fusion reminiscent of The Cure and Fairport Convention, and their tracks frequently appeared within the Top 200 rankings of CMJ. Steve Morse of The Boston Globe lauded lead vocalist Valerie Forgione for her dynamic range, referring to the group as a valuable asset to the local music scene. Their final album was issued in February 2002, with a short-lived reunion occurring in 2011. Currently, Forgione is at the helm of the Lovina Falls project.
History
Established in 1993 by guitarists Scott Patalano and Brad Rigney alongside bassist Ruben Layman, drummer Todd Demma, and singer Valerie Forgione (formerly of Funeral Party), Mistle Thrush derived their name from a bird known for consuming mistletoe berries. Although commonly categorized under goth, their musical approach extended beyond this genre. They secured a contract with Bedazzled Records, based in Washington, D.C., releasing their initial 7" single and the EP Agus Amàrach both in 1994.
In 1995, the band advanced to the semi-final round of the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble. That same year saw the release of their debut full-length album, Silt, featuring Matthew Kattman who had replaced Rigney on guitar. Two years later, they launched Super Refraction through Egg Records, an independent label supported by Elektra Records. This release received critical praise and garnered nominations at the Boston Music Awards for Indie Label Album of the Year and Outstanding Local Female Vocalist for Forgione.
Following a publishing agreement with Warner-Chappell Music, the group utilized advance payments to terminate their contract with Egg Records amid increasing dissatisfaction. During this interval, members engaged in various creative endeavors; notably, Forgione earned acclaim for her performance in Boston Rock Opera’s 2000 staging of Jesus Christ Superstar. After lineup changes including the departures of Kattman and Layman, Matthew Klain joined as bassist. In 2002, Mistle Thrush issued their concluding album, Drunk with You, on Los Angeles-based indie label Ecstatic. This record received nominations at the Boston Music Awards for Local Album and Song of the Year for "Small."
Singles and EPs
- "Beside" 7" single (1994, Bedazzled)
- Agus Amàrach (1994, Bedazzled)
Albums
- Silt (1995, Bedazzled)
- Super Refraction (1997, Egg)
- Drunk with You (2002, Ecstatic)
Noteworthy collaborations
Mistle Thrush performed alongside prominent artists such as Aerosmith, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Garbage, Helium, Love and Rockets, Lush, Mercury Rev, Morphine, Sonic Youth, Spiritualized, and The Strokes.