The Mods
Encyclopedia
The Mods is an American
rock and roll
band from Boston
, Massachusetts
, who became known as 'Boston's British Beat'. The band featured Paul Narotski on bass and vocals, Jack Peterson on keyboards, rhythm guitar and vocals, the percusion stylings of Harry Sandler, Chuckie Norton on lead guitar, Bobby Matulina on lead guitar and Van Leister singing lead vocals.
The band did not release anything. Their only recording is an 78 rpm acetate demo featuring the songs "Stop Your Sobbin'" (by the Kinks
), backed with "Won't Shed A Tear" by Chuckie Norton.
. It featured Narotski, Peterson, Sandler, Leister and Norton. The group learned about a dozen songs and began playing in December 1964 at the Milton Demolay, calling themselves The Evergreens. The group later changed their name to The Mods. Performing regularly at local schools, churches and clubs they developed a local fan base in the greater Boston area. Their playlist featured popular rock and roll of the era from The Beatles
, The Everly Brothers
, and others. At the height of their popularity in 1966, the band won the area's "Battle of the Bands" and opened for The Rolling Stones
at Manning Bowl in Lynn, Massachusetts
.
In 2000, the original members reunited to play a show to benefit The Boston Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, they performed in several venues along the New England coast with current lead guitarist, Bobby Matulina.
Harry Sandler later moved on to become the drummer for Orpheus
and Van Leister and Jack Petersen served as road managers for the band.
As of 2009, the band continues to perform in the Boston area.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, who became known as 'Boston's British Beat'. The band featured Paul Narotski on bass and vocals, Jack Peterson on keyboards, rhythm guitar and vocals, the percusion stylings of Harry Sandler, Chuckie Norton on lead guitar, Bobby Matulina on lead guitar and Van Leister singing lead vocals.
The band did not release anything. Their only recording is an 78 rpm acetate demo featuring the songs "Stop Your Sobbin'" (by the Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
), backed with "Won't Shed A Tear" by Chuckie Norton.
History
The Mods was started by Van Leister and Paul Narotski of Mattapan, MassachusettsMattapan, Massachusetts
Mattapan is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. Historically a section of neighboring Dorchester, Mattapan became a part of Boston when Dorchester was annexed in 1870. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 36,480...
. It featured Narotski, Peterson, Sandler, Leister and Norton. The group learned about a dozen songs and began playing in December 1964 at the Milton Demolay, calling themselves The Evergreens. The group later changed their name to The Mods. Performing regularly at local schools, churches and clubs they developed a local fan base in the greater Boston area. Their playlist featured popular rock and roll of the era from The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
, and others. At the height of their popularity in 1966, the band won the area's "Battle of the Bands" and opened for The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
at Manning Bowl in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
.
In 2000, the original members reunited to play a show to benefit The Boston Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, they performed in several venues along the New England coast with current lead guitarist, Bobby Matulina.
Harry Sandler later moved on to become the drummer for Orpheus
Orpheus (band)
Orpheus is a rock band from Worcester, Massachusetts that enjoyed popularity in the 1960s and early 1970s.In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in the avant garde band. Original members included guitarist/vocalists Bruce Arnold and Jack McKennes, bass guitarist Eric "The Snake"...
and Van Leister and Jack Petersen served as road managers for the band.
As of 2009, the band continues to perform in the Boston area.