graphic by AJ Domagala
Local band Mom and Dad makes waves in Colorado’s progressive rock scene. graphic by AJ Domagala
Local progressive rock trio Mom and Dad is comprised of bassist Chuck Jones, drummer Neil Evans, and guitarist Ben Larroquette. The band formed back in 2008 when Larroquette and Evans invited Jones to a jam session at Berklee College of Music, where all three were enrolled. The pre-existing chemistry between Larroquette and Jones was a major boon to the group’s sound, as the pair had been playing music together since high school. Since the release of their debut album Nice Missile in 2014, the group has been working on new music and playing at venues all across Colorado.
If someone were to ask for a description of the band’s music, it would be a hard question to answer in a concise way. The band’s innovative, heavy, and splendidly weird music draws influence from artists such as Primus, Ween, Meshuggah, and Frank Zappa, but its unique atmosphere and sound distinguishes it from other prog-rock bands. Nice Missile isn’t just an album – it’s a complete experience. Mom and Dad’s music is experimental in all of the right ways, pushing boundaries where it’s important and making concessions to convention where it’s necessary. Jones offers some insight on the importance of experimentation, saying, “I think experimentation is extremely important for anyone who is inspired to grown in their field, whether it is music, science, sports or pretty much anything. Happy accidents can have wonderful results. I am a huge advocate for taking chances and getting out of your comfort zone.” This mentality is expressed to the fullest in the music he produces, both with Mom and Dad and his other band Dopapod.
Larroquette writes most of the lyrics, drawing on his background in theater to create cohesive stories. The trio turns up the weird factor to its maximum setting, and it definitely shows is the lyrical content of their songs. “Head Without a Face,” a song from Nice Missile, is about a man who has his friend Dave eat his face, who then puts it back on upside down. There may very well be a hidden meaning or underlying metaphor to lyrics like these, but if there is it’ll be lost on the majority of listeners. Jones understands how people react to progressive (prog) rock and metal, recognizing that, “As far as prog/experimental rock being “too weird” for a lot of people, I think that is exactly correct. Most people want to tune out and forget about their daily issues when listening to music. Prog rock is complicated, [as] it takes more energy for the listener to be involved. Not to say that if you don’t like prog rock, there is something wrong with you. I honestly dislike a lot of prog rock for that very reason. I [often] want to zone out and not think about anything when I’m listening.” That shouldn’t discourage anyone from listening, though. The strange lyrics and odd instrumentals are what make Mom and Dad’s music so enjoyable. Embracing the weirdness is part of the experience.
Mom and Dad’s bass groove is one of the anchoring properties of their music. Jones personally draws a lot of his inspiration from bassists like Flea and James Jamerson as well as bands such as Radiohead and the Dead Kennedys. The bass lines in Mom and Dad’s music range from incredibly complex to relatively simple, but each one works to make the song it’s attached to complete. “I personally can get obsessed with creating a unique bass line for every song… it can drive me mad. Sometimes, the perfect bass line is simple and really doesn’t need to be flashy. Always trying to serve the song is the best method for creating a bass line,” Jones reflects. The thought put into the bass is evident, and it helps to distinguish Mom and Dad’s music from that of their contemporaries.
To put it simply, Mom and Dad is an innovative band that haven’t gotten the spotlight that they deserve. Mom and Dad is currently working on a second studio album, and is always performing at local venues around Colorado. Their music can be found on Spotify, and their Facebook page is a great way to follow their progress.
