Writing by on Saturday, 11 of April , 2009 at 6:03 pm
On May 29th, the Seacoast’s quirky pop rock band Murkadee says farewell forever. That’s the date set for their final show at The Portsmouth Pearl in Portsmouth, NH. The quintet announced their decision to call it quits in January of this year, announcing a handful of “parting gifts” for their fans, which has included a final album, a music video (filmed mostly in Tokyo, Japan) and now, a final show.
After a 5 year run which has included 4 album releases, winning Spotlight Entertainment’s Best Alternative Band award, and opening for national bands such as The Butthole Surfers and Apollo Sunshine, this will be the group’s closing act as a band, says band leader Joseph K Murphy. “There won’t be any sort of reunion 6 months down the road. We’re going to have this one awesome blow out and then we’re done.” The show will also mark the first time the band’s final album, Hislop, will be available to the public.
Category: Uncategorized
Writing by Attic Bat on Monday, 12 of January , 2009 at 11:51 pm
After Five Years, Local Band Calls It Quits
After five years, local band Murkadee, of Epping, is calling it quits in February. Citing artistic differences and a music scene that can’t support them, band leaders Joseph K Murphy and DeLaine Bennett are optimistic about their musical futures. “We just found it exceedingly difficult to make this sort of band work in this area,” explains Murphy.
Murkadee plans to finish their last album as part of The Wire’s RPM Challenge. Following the completion of the album, the band hopes to perform a final show, though no dates have been set. A Murkadee music video, shot by NH artist John Herman, for an as of yet released single will also be finished by the end of the month. “We still have some projects to finish up, so there is work to be done, but we all feel that our time has come,” says Murphy.
Murkadee was formed in 2003, releasing their first album Chain Jing Mines while Murphy and Bennett were still in high school, but it was their 2006 release, From A Spectral View, that put them on the Seacoast map. The band went on to win Spotlight Entertainment’s Best Alternative Band for 2006 award, and began opening for national acts in 2007. After their 2008 release, Eppology, the band peaked, opening for the legendary Butthole Surfers in July of that year. Then things went silent.
Murphy elaborates, “No shows were coming in, no buzz was happening, and worse, we just stopped caring.” With nothing on the bench, members started pursuing other projects. Bennett hopes to complete a solo album, while drummer The Attic Bat will finish his degree at UNH, then attend graduate school. Bass player Jon Briggs is working on a multitude of projects, including joining The Mango Wranglers with Seacoast area musician Phil Kliger. Murphy hopes to start a music composition career, and continue his side project Joseph K Murphy and the Best Friends Ever. Murkadee’s last album, Hislop, is expected at the conclusion of the 2009 RPM Challenge.
Category: News
Writing by on Monday, 21 of July , 2008 at 10:26 pm
We’re opening for the psychedelic punk legends the Butthole Surfers new week at the Stone Church in Newmarket, NH next Monday, 7/28/08! The show is SOLD OUT and we’re really pumped.
See you out there!
Category: Shows
Writing by on Friday, 27 of June , 2008 at 5:33 pm
Murkadee is playing The Freedom Rocks! Festival at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH on July 5, 2008. Playing with them is Portland’s Pete Kilpatrick Band and deSoL! The show starts at 12 PM and should wrap up around 5 PM. Admittance is FREE and ALL ages!
Category: Shows
