Mischief Brew | |
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Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
Genres | Anarcho-punk, folk punk |
Years active | 2000–2016 |
Labels | Fistolo Records, Gunner Records, Art Of The Underground, Alternative Tentacles |
Associated acts | The Orphans, Kettle Rebellion, Meisce, Red Devil, Guignol, Mohawktown |
Website | www.mischiefbrew.com |
Members | Shawn St. Clair Chris "Doc" Kulp Christopher Petersen Tom Swafford |
Past members | Erik Petersen Sean Yantz Julian Tomas Buchanan Gregory Taylor Franz Nicolay Peter Hess Kevin Holland |
Mischief Brew was an American band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, which played DIY anarcho-punk music, incorporating a variety of styles including American folk, swing, and Gypsy-punk. It was started by Erik Petersen as a solo project, but eventually grew into a band. Petersen drew inspiration from the protest movements of the 1960s, "the idea that rebellion in music didn't originate in punk rock" (Profane Existence No. 54, 2007), and anti-establishment artists like Woody Guthrie and Crass. Petersen's lyrics often pay homage to American labor radicalism of the early 20th century. Mischief Brew has released albums and EPs on many different labels, notably Art of the Underground, Gunner Records, and Fistolo Records. In support of these records, Mischief Brew has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. When playing live, they have performed with four to five people, incorporating such instruments as junk/found percussion, trumpet, accordion, violin, mandolin, and vibraphone into their set.
Mischief Brew started after Erik Petersen's previous band, The Orphans, broke up in 2000. At first, the band consisted of only Petersen on an acoustic guitar or mandolin, playing songs off of the Mirth demo. In 2003, Petersen released the Bellingham & Philadelphia split with Robert Blake, and the Bakenal CDEP. After extensive acoustic touring in support of the first two releases, Petersen assembled the first full-band incarnation of Mischief Brew, featuring Chris "Doc" Kulp (of Red Devil) on drums and Sean "Shantz" Yantz (of Evil Robot Us' and Abusing the Word) on bass. In 2005, Petersen released his first full-length, Smash The Windows, featuring guest spots by artists from Leftöver Crack, World/Inferno Friendship Society, and Guignol. This release saw him experiment more musically, with styles ranging from gypsy-folk to swing.