What seven people move into a house together, it isn’t generally expected for them to start a band.
In OhBree’s case, this is exactly what happened. Led by principal singer, songwriter and pianist Andrew Scott, OhBree’s monstrous size may be the first thing largely apparent of the band, but the very next thing is the immense sound it is capable of making.
The regular rock band lineup of bass, drums and guitar – filled in by Adam Laub, Paul Brown and Michael Aherne – is augmented with three horn players – Bobby Iacono, Tyler Mack and Kyle Press – which adds up to one very large sound. In a live setting, the band delivers hooks and pounding rhythms with a perfect mixture of joy and intensity that gets bodies moving and heads bobbing almost instantaneously. The band’s first full-length album, “We Miss You Edward, Come Home” was released this past Oct. 30, 2012. See OhBree’s party rock anthems for yourself at WXPN’S 2013 Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival opening for The Extraordinaires at The Fire on Feb. 16.
THE TEMPLE NEWS: When you’re compiling ideas for songs, do they get fleshed out with everyone at the same time or do you bring the other six guys fragments of songs?
ANDREW SCOTT: More of the latter. I’ll come up with something on my own and bring it to everyone. When we learn how to play it live, we adapt it for the instruments gathered, like we’ll see if a trumpet line works better played on a synth and vice-versa.
TYLER MACK: A lot of the songs get fleshed out in the studio. We’ll figure out stuff on our own, and then when we get down to recording, we’ll add all the extra stuff.
TTN: How did you all decide to be in a band together?
BOBBY IACANO: Our first show was almost a year before we released “We Miss You Edward, Come Home” at the Sprinkle Kingdom on Halloween. Only six of us played that show, because Kyle was playing in another band at the time and hadn’t joined yet.
TTN: Andrew, when you’re arranging the songs in your head, do you feel like because there are so many people in the band that everyone has to be present on every song?
AS: Personally, I like to try and include everybody. Our songs aren’t minimalist – it’s figuring out what notes are appropriate for which instruments.
PAUL BROWN: We are very maximalist. One band striving to be more like Muse everyday.
TTN: What outer influences, musical or otherwise, help define the sound of the band?
AS: I have been listening to theater music and a couple of us have played in pit bands over the years. Adding that musical theater feel to weird indie pop is definitely a huge part of what we try to do. Basically any time I hear music that I find to be silly – almost in a Monty Python way. I love to find a place for the style in my next song.
TTN: Do you think there is anything unique about how Philadelphia fosters its musical talent?
AS: Philly is one of the best places to start a band. There’s also access to other areas like New York City and a solid budding music industry. I definitely like the way Philly bands support each other.
TTN: Have you started working on any new material as a band?
AS: We’re working on some new stuff now but it’s still in its very early stages. First thing we’re going to do is put out a greatest hits album as a goof and a spoof. It should make us millions
Kevin Stairiker can be reached at Kevin.Stairiker@temple.edu.
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