Mean Creak was a local band that meant a lot to a lot of people. That’s why the announcement of their break-up in April was so upsetting, if not surprising. Since then, the band has been hailed as honest, hard-working, sincere—and of course—extremely talented. The word “misunderstood” has been thrown around as well, especially when trying to pinpoint why the foursome never got as much exposure as they deserved.
To try and get a better perspective of what made Mean Creek so special to so many members of the Boston music scene, we talked to a few local artists who knew them best. We learned that Mean Creak wasn’t just treasured by fans, they were adored by those who worked and played with them on a nightly basis.
Check out what they had to say below. If you’re a diehard Mean Creek fan, a new coming listener, or want one more chance to see them play live, don’t miss their final performance at the Middle East on June 25th opening for Soul Asylum and Meat Puppets.
Mallory Hestand - Earthquake Party
I actually saw Aurore the morning Mean Creek announced their end. She said it felt odd that she was on her way to her office job on a day that held so much weight for her. I felt weird, too, having known Aurore and her bandmates for the past 5 or so years as enviably creative, talented, and driven musicians and all around incredible people. I was always happy to see Mean Creek and the people who made it what it was. We shared jokes, stories, shows, and adventures that I’ll always remember fondly. Chris Keene once told me that his favorite thing about me was that I showed how I was really feeling while I was on stage. Whether I was happy, angry, bored, whatever—I never covered it up. His appreciation for my transparency shows his strength of character and his ability to be vulnerable in the face of a music scene and a city that doesn’t always appreciate it, but will always benefit from it. Thank you for existing as humans, and for being such an incredible band to look up to, Mean Creek. I’m happy I got to be a part of it.
Justin Lally – Earthquake Party
Well, I guess the bloody drumstick personally adorned with the words "I want your sex" that Mikey tossed to me at O'Briens a couple of years back will fetch a bit more now on Ebay...and I still won't be able to get "Young and Wild" out of my head.
Andy Sadoway - Bent Shapes
Years ago, I played drums in Mean Creek, during the “Around The Bend” days. Playing with Chris and Aurore and Mean Creek was extremely influential to me as a musician; their way of crafting emotionally-fueled songs with drastic dynamics completely changed how I approached the drums. They taught me how to play the highs really high and the lows really low. I learned what it felt like to get off stage and be completely out of breath!
One of my favorite memories of Chris was when he dropped his guitar on his headstock (ouch!) in order to dive into my drumset at the end of my last show with Mean Creek. I hope your guitar is okay, Chris, and that it serves you many more years of writing. Best of luck to all the Mean Creekers and wherever music takes them next!
Ryan Connelly - Hallelujah the Hills
Mean Creek holds a very special place in my heart, as they were the first Boston band I ever auditioned with before joining the Boston music community. It was September of 2007, I was entering my senior year at Stonehill College, and I decided to take a leap of faith by exploring local bands looking for drummers. I came across Mean Creek's music and heard they were looking, so I scouted them out at a show at TT the Bear’s and met Chris for the first time. He was very kind and welcoming, and an incredible performer. He left me with a copy of "Around the Bend" and a demo EP for me to check out. From there we set up a rehearsal at their old space around the corner from The Model in Allston. Their original drummer, Andy (now of Bent Shapes), was leaving the band to attend grad school, and Matt Sisto (Spirit Kid) had recently joined as their bass player. The band was in transition but had an energy and momentum that was palpable. I couldn't have been more excited and invigorated to dive right and and start playing.
I remember driving up from Stonehill in my old station wagon with drum set in tow, dragging it through the cramped rehearsal space, where it seemed like every corner of the building was buzzing. We got set up and played a few songs from the full length, plus a few newer ones, including a song called “Beg & Plead.” This was the song that gave me the bug, and when we played it for the first time it felt like everything just lit up in me. We hit it off really well both musically and personally; they were sweet, a little goofy, yet totally serious at the same time, and I remember being impressed by their professional manner and their ambitiousness. I wanted to drop everything I was doing and join the band, but ultimately I couldn't forfeit my last year of school to make such a leap. I'll never forget that one night though, it's what lit the fire in my belly to pursue my dreams as a musician, and left an indelible impact on me.
The Boston music scene is going to miss Mean Creek, but they've made a huge impression on this town and won't be soon forgotten. They've set the bar for what it is to be good people and and good artists at the same time. I look forward to seeing what all of them do next, and wish them the best of luck!
One day I texted Aurore this picture of me Malmsteen-ing on a baby guitar. She has told me I am a good guitarist. I find that hilarious. Anyhow, I got the photo on the right in return. Amused? Maybeee. Disgusted? Definitely. I think this diptych is a very apt representation of our typical rapport. She's probably gonna be pissed I am sharing this but she immediately put mine all up on Twitter so blast for blast, son! <3 U AURORE!!!!!! - Matt Elkin
Matt Elkin - So So Glos
Faye Orlove (Artist/Director)
I met Mean Creek on their video shoot for "Young and Wild." I was setting up lights and helping with B-roll, and trying to seem cool around a bunch of musicians a few years older than me. I probably failed and acted like an idiot, but they invited me to their show the next night anyway. I remember putting on lipstick and riding my bike really slow so I wouldn't get too sweaty. I definitely must have been trying to impress someone. I think I knew right away that I wanted them to like me.
Anyway, that show was one of the best shows I've ever been to. And I saw the Bangerz tour three times. I remember telling Chris a year later that I fell in love with him that night. I'd never seen someone perform so passionately. He took my adoration as an insult because he’s better at thinking people hate him than love him. But it was sincere and it was true, and think I'll spend the rest of my life amazed by his charisma.
I stayed up really late with Chris a few nights after that. It was summer. We were fighting about movies and music and drinking warm beers on my stoop. I don't know why I remember that night, but I do. I remember wishing it wouldn't end because I'd never before talked to someone who cared about things so much. I think that's why Chris is so special. He really, really, really cares.
Later, I started working at the Middle East with Erik. I thought he hated me for a while because he's got this vibe of having everything all figured out. It can be intimidating. But one night I made him laugh by dancing like a weirdo, and from that moment he seemed less scary. One night we took whiskey shots together but I took a big gulp of air too soon and ended up spitting all over him. He didn't even get mad. And later, when he told me he was going to be a father, I remembered how he didn't get mad. My eyes got all teary 'cause I knew what a great dad he'd be. I guess that's not such a great story—but it's what happened. I painted blocks for his baby girl, Lily, when she was born. I got to hold Lily before she was even a month old. After a while she got heavy to hold but I didn't want to let go.
One day in the middle of winter, Mikey handed me a pair of new shoes. He said he saw them at Berks and thought of me. I still have those leopard platforms and I wear them all the time because they make me feel tall and make me think of Mikey. He gave me drum lessons once and made me feel talented even though I knew I wasn't. Mikey has a really special way of making people feel special. I miss that. He was sad one night about a girl and got kind of drunk in Union Square. Erik and I walked him home and up his icy driveway. He lived really close to the bar, but I remember thinking I'd have walked anywhere to make sure he got home safe.
I liked Aurore long before she liked me. With Aurore, you have to chip away at this tough exterior because Aurore is the last person on Earth to realize how amazing Aurore is. She still may not have figured it out! After a while she gave up on "not wanting people around" and now she loves me and she even admits it. We Gchat all the time and make plans to meet at the Dubai Miracle Garden. I don't know when I'll actually see her next, but I like that we always make plans. She's really good at making the world feel really big and really magical and full of really beautiful things (even if she refuses to admit she's one of them).