Jack Brag

Jack Brag’s take on pop music is a clear departure from what you’ll hear in the mainstream. By fusing orchestral cello, vaudeville piano, and catchy pop/rock hooks, Jack Brag delivers a sound that’s well beyond the expected. The phrase “energetic chamber pop” is a good way to describe the collaborative output, much of which owes itself to the orchestral-stringed undertones simmering throughout each song.

Jack Brag got its start in the summer of 2007, when primary songwriter/bassist Tony Donato partnered with vocalist/keyboardist Jim Robertazzi. Together, the pair quickly realized a shared fascination in musical theater-inspired aggressive pop/rock. Tony’s interest in 19th century idioms, expressions, and culture ultimately led him to label the project “Jack Brag,” a 19th century expression meaning “a pretender who ingratiates himself with people above him.”

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that Jack Brag is some kind of “intellectual exercise.” The band punches along with the ferocity and style you’d expect from such influences as The Who, The Pixies, Queen, REM, Talking Heads, and Husker Du.

After enlisting cellist Jay Varga, guitarist Rich Ferreira, and drummer Bill Quinn, the quintet put all of the elements together to arrive at a unique style of high-energy music that captures the dynamic of today’s pop music scene while subtly hinting at vaudeville and whimsy theatrics.

In the fall of 2008, Jack Brag completed its 13-song debut album, and as you might expect, it pulls out all the stops, blending elements of pop/rock, theater, and hints of chamber orchestration.

Looking ahead, Jack Brag will be working tirelessly, bringing its message to college radio and press, and working on special projects. In addition to finalizing its own debut, Jack Brag recently contributed a track for a tribute album for the band Winter Hours (proud to be contributing alongside former members of The Feelies, Violent Femmes, and The Cucumbers, among many others). This tribute album is titled “A Few Uneven Rhymes,” and is distributed by Main Man Records. Jack Brag looks forward to playing several concerts to support the release of this two-disc tribute in early 2009.