The McKenzies

They were pretty great, truly -- loud, sweetly melodic, kinda-fuzzy pop-rock that made me think of "blue album"-era Weezer if that band had had a female co-frontperson. The dance moves of some of the people they invited up on stage with 'em were downright terrifying (Guy in the Quasi-Paisley Disco Shirt & Pink Pants: your bump-and-grind scares me in ways I can't describe), but the sheer energy of their performance was amazing.



Plus, they get Bonus Punk Rock Points for continuing to play a song even after the power cut out, sans guitars & keys; they soldiered on, just thundering drums (watch out, y'all; your drummer sounds like he might be the only guy in town who could fill Iram Guerrero's shoes w/Young Mammals), dancing fans clapping along, and never-say-die vocals. It was fucking awesome. I laughed out loud, not at the band but at how they were bound & determined to not let the electrical difficulties stop The Rock. That determination alone puts them a cut above, in my book, never mind the fact that they pulled it off -- heck, if you didn't know the power had cut out (or noticed that their bassist was still playing away but not making a sound), you'd have thought it was intentional.



I desperately, desperately need to get a hold of these folks' CD, btw, and soon -- I had to run to catch listenlisten after the McKenzies crew finished, and when I came back later on, I couldn't find 'em anywhere. Damn.

- Spacecityrocks

The McKenzies were quite a sight surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of fans who had joined them on stage. Ah, those Houston pop bands sure know how to work-up a crowd. - Free Press Houston



The McKenzies! The McKenzies! The McKenzies!

I know this is bad form but I am totally stoked about the opening band - The McKenzies! Is it me or did a lot of people just freak at the McKenzies set last week at the block party! They rip some sweet pop that is not to be missed.

- Ramon M.(FPH)



Roses are red, violets are blue, if you love pop, you'll heart the McKenzies too. The local foursome is joining in what seems to be a season of album releases in Houston's indie-rock scene; the group has sandwiched its Valentine's Day EP release between the Wild Moccasins' official debut and the much-anticipated, end-of-the-month return of the Young Mammals. The McKenzies will charm pop fans that have an ear for the likes of Ozma, Cruiserweight, the Pretenders, Get Up Kids and the Pogues. The band borrows from all over the charts for tunes as diverse as the creamy fillings inside a box of chocolates — jumping from straight-up pop punk tunes to soft, female-led rock numbers to country-tinged Irish folk jams (minus the four-leaf-clover accent). If your idea of a romantic evening means trading candlelight for a dimly-lit venue, a box of chocolates for a jewel-cased CD and Barry White for raucous indie-rock, then tell your sweetie to head over to Walter's and get you some. (Single folks, rockin' is always the perfect excuse for not having a date on love day.) - by Dusty Rhodes



The Mckenzies first self-titled EP has been released! The Mckenzies are a four piece band emerging out of Houston, Texas. In a little under one year they have managed to captivate audiences all over the city and have shared stages with every known band in town. They have shaken hands with Austin, danced with San Antonio, and stolen kisses from Dallas– generating an impressive fan base that grows with every show. Lead singer, Jodie Mckenzie, describes the band as “Folksy Power Pop with a Twang.” This Valentine’s Day, no one dances alone! - by IndieHouston.org



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