By Adam Signore

Bad Marriage, Bad Boys From Boston

Boston’s always had a rich music scene. No matter where you’re from you have heard of some of our biggest and brightest. Aerosmith, Boston, The Pixies, the Cars, The Dresden Dolls, The Lemonheads, The Del Fuego’s. I could go on but you get the idea.  One thing that is lucky about living around here is getting to know the many bands that have the potential to hit that mark. That said; let me introduce you to Bad Marriage. A relatively new band, well 2 years in, Bad Marriage is making a big noise in the Boston scene and beyond.

Bad Marriage the band may have been around a short time but the band members are not newcomers to music by any means. The name of the band in a way is a “tip of the hat” to the learning curve that comes along with trying to grow a band to the next level. If you’re involved in your music scene and gotten to know many bands, at some point you’ll see a band falter as they are just about to make a break. The source of that stumble is usually mismatched expectations and commitment.

Why That Name?

It’s hard enough to make a living at music but at some point you have to say “I’m in this for the long haul” or “I have to think of my other commitments first”.  For the members of Bad Marriage, having spent time in other bands and living through some of this it seemed like a bad relationship or a “Bad Marriage”… and so a name was born.

This time Bad Marriage has worked to craft a team that has the commitment, drive and skill. If you ever get to see a show you will understand just how good a job they have done. I have had the pleasure of seeing them a ton of times and each and every show is music & “stage presence” perfection. No matter the size of the stage and every show is better than the last. In all ways it has been an upward trajectory for this band.

While you’re reading about them you really need to go listen to their original music, check out Bad Marriage on Spotify. You’ll find some incredible original Boston Rock & Roll awaiting. Like any band they pay tribute to influences via covers and you’ll also find great versions of Steppenwolf, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy to name a few. Not just another rock band though, I call them “New Classic Rock”, it’s definitely old school Boston rock but more than that, if that makes any sense. In my humble opinion Boston is long overdue for the next explosion onto the national scene and to me Bad Marriage is it. Is there still anyone out there listening on the national level? If so hit these guys up!

A Bad Marriage show is just Rock & Roll Perfection. Bad Marriage brings you music & performance that will just reach out and punch you in the face. The original music has that something special. You’ll be hooked by their originals the first time your hear them

So who is Bad Marriage?

The players in Bad Marriage are Jon Paquin on vocals, Mike “Fitzy” Fitzmaurice on Guitar & Vocals, Ian Haggerty on Guitar, Todd Boisvert on Bass and Michael Delaney on Drums. Well-seasoned musicians all, I have had the pleasure of seeing them perform in Bad Marriage and other bands.  What is key about this lineup is they all fit together like clockwork to create original music and an on-stage presence that will just floor you, always.  The band is a great mix of personalities on and off stage. While you’re always getting to know someone, they all have just clicked from the start. With the wealth of great original music already out they have more than proven themselves and we all know there will be much more of it to come.

Listen to the originals and you’ll see…

The Sound & Style

As a band they are doing what comes naturally. As Jon says the writing process is an organic one. There’s no agenda in the music and they set out and write what comes naturally. No one said “Let’s write a rock album”. Jon & Fitzy just mesh on the writing process and new material flows like a stream of conciseness. Over the years they each have developed their own signature sounds and that has come together gloriously in Bad Marriage.

The band has its sound down and while Bad Marriage song styles do vary you know it’s a Bad Marriage tune. Take a listen to Queen of Despair and then Old School Stereo. Simply fabulous tunes that will blow you away, hardly the same style of music but you know who you’re listening to. Knowing this band’s catalogue of music I can attest to the awesomeness and talent that goes into each song.

Fitzy is a Rock & Roll Riff guy, growing up on Page, Perry, Slash & Angus young. Classic Rock/Hard Rock is his wheelhouse; Jon is a prolific singer and also a writer to the core. Jon is as much in love with the words as the music. Ian, Todd and Michael are kick ass rock’n rollers. This is who they are. No pretense.

There’s a New Sheriff in Town

OK, so why do I say this. Well as a fairly crusty student of the Boston music scene I’ve been around long enough to have seen some of the best to come out of Boston. Before I continue though I want to clarify, at times I will call Bad Marriage “The Next Aerosmith”.  I do mean that but let me explain. I am not saying this band is an Aerosmith knock off.

Bad Marriage definitely has its own sound, style and energy. They are creating new and exciting original music and have the stage presence to back it up. What I am trying to convey here is that when Aerosmith hit the scene with their original’s there was an indescribable feel, electricity and excitement to it. I have seen plenty of bands since then.  I am here to tell ya, Bad Marriage is giving me that same feel.

Getting Well Known In A Short Time

Bad Marriage is doing a great job in marketing themselves. These days getting heard, building excitement and landing growth opportunities are not easy tasks. Social Media is huge and they use it well. It’s a tough thing to build a band in any music scene, maybe even more so in the Boston area. Another thing they have going for them is experience and professionalism. Not egotistical, not burning bridges. Bad Marriage builds relationships and it has shown in some of the great exposure they have gotten.

In the last 12 months they have opened for Extreme, Steel Panther, Dokken, Buckcherry and Michael Schenker. They’ve also shared the stage with Airbourne, Scott Weiland, L.A. Guns, Eddie Money & John 5, all great opportunities to expose Bad Marriage to a wider audience. Bad Marriage is one of those bands that always give it their all.

Whether they are a one stage at one of their small home base venues, at the Worcester Palladium, opening for Extreme or at The house of Blues opening for Steel Panther the show is equally riveting and over the top.

A sign of their professionalism worth mentioning, recently they had their first gig at Laconia Motorcycle Week. Some folks in the band were heading up the night before to settle in. While on the road and almost at bike week they get the call from The House of Blues in Boston asking if they can open for Steel Panther. About 3 hours before the show mind you. Instant U-turn, phone calls from the road to get people in the loop and make it for opening

Bad Marriage is also keen to make sure they have their marketing ducks in a row. If you find a tune on YouTube or Spotify you’ll find plenty of other Bad Marriage music to help a newcomer get acquainted with the band. Not sure who does their artwork but they have some of the best merch around. Check out the Bad Marriage Website  and click through to facebook and other outlets they use:

Dedication

These guys are putting in the effort and it shows in being picked up by “Classic Rock Magazine” in the September & December issues. Their tune “Electric Emerald Eyes” was featured on the monthly CD included with the Magazine also. Bad Marriage has also worked with a top shelf video company, Red 13 Media to create some stunning videos. Red 13 Media creates MTV quality videos. Here, check out Old School Stereo. You’ll see what I mean.

This band has got the stuff. Bad Marriage was recently voted one of the “Best of 2017” in Classic Rock Magazine’s January 2018 issue. Go to a show if you can, if not check out the Bad Marriage Website, like their Bad Marriage Facebook Page and give a listen on Spotify.

My name is Adam and I approve this band. Here, check out a couple other recent tunes from Bad Marriage. If you dig Rock & Roll you will most definitely approve.

Additional concert photos courtesy of Evil Robb Photo, Tim Rice Photo & Photo Flash Focus Photography