Meet the Band:
Shawn Brewster (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica), Mike Kinsella (bass, vocals), Kevin Suman (drums), and Jeff Guhde (guitar)
Road to Glory: Painesville native Brewster started out braving the open-mic circuit with just a guitar. But after jamming with Kinsella, he knew it was time to expand his sound. “Not just with a backing band,” he says, “but a band that played dynamic, powerful, and emotionally charged music coupled with my songs.”
You’ll Like Them if You’re Into … Folk rock in the grungier mold of Son Volt and the Waco Brothers.
Recordings: By the Light of the Moon EP and Live at the Grog Shop CD/DVD have set the stage for the band’s full-length debut, currently in the works.
Gigged With: The Low Anthem, Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Hot Water Music
Fantasy Gig: “R.E.M. (the I.R.S. years) open for us,” says Brewster. “And then we open for Sigur Rós.”
Why They Say They Matter:
“Local music is a huge part of our city, and contributing to it is a huge honor for us,” says Brewster. “We really want to expand our reach and see what happens after we release this album.”
Why We Say They Matter: Oldboy play every show like it’s their last, and Brewster’s gruff, wise-beyond-his-years voice ranks among Cleveland’s best.
Where You Can Hear Them: myspace.com/oldboycleveland
Where You Can See Them:
The Grog Shop on February 26 and the Beachland Tavern on March 25.
— Andrew Clayman
This article appears in Feb 23 – Mar 1, 2011.
Congrats on the review guys! Oldboy does mostly originals written by Shawn Brewster. The songs are a poetic slice of life and emotions that we all can relate to. They are talented musicians who create great harmonies and music together. If you haven’t seen them then it just may be time….