Hollis Brown’s latest album, In The Aftermath (Mascot Label Group/Cool Green Recordings), is the deliciously depraved outcome of an all-night rock n’ roll riot. The Queens, New York-based quintet escaped to the Poconos to record with a few handles of whiskey, and, in one 24-hour session, ran down the Stone’s seminal first album of all originals, 1966’s Aftermath. Tracked live in the studio with minimal overdubs, In The Aftermath is potent proof the five-piece group is one of the last great American rock n’ roll bands.


“It was a whirlwind recording session—we were on no sleep, and getting liquored up. You can definitely hear the looseness on that final track, ‘Going Home,’” singer-guitarist Mike Montali recalls, laughing. He continues: “We weren’t focused on cleanliness—we were after a feeling.”


In The Aftermath is the second in a casual homage series. Previously, Hollis Brown issued Gets Loaded, saluting Velvet Underground’s Loaded. This new album directly follows the band’s most successful release yet, 2019’s Ozone Park, which earned rave reviews from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Paste Magazine, Pop Matters, Relix, and Goldmine.


Hollis Brown formed in 2009, in Queens, New York, and came together around best buds, singer-guitarist Mike Montali and lead guitarist Jonathan Bonilla. The guys pinched the band name from the Bob Dylan song, "Ballad of Hollis Brown,” and its moniker neatly epitomizes the group’s commitment to melding a signature Americana blend with fine songcraft. These days the band is rounded out by Andrew Zehnal (drums) and Chris Urriola (bass). To date, Hollis Brown has released an EP, three original albums, and the aforementioned Record Store Day tribute to the Velvet Underground’s Loaded album.


Hollis Brown has amassed an engaged fanbase through touring tirelessly, making its way through the U.S. and Europe, both on their own and supporting the likes of Citizen Cope, Counting Crows, Jackie Greene, Jesse Malin, and the Zombies, among others. Hollis Brown’s music has been featured in film and TV. Notable placements include having songs included in the film, Bad Country, starring Matt Dillon and Willem Dafoe; in the worldwide trailer for The Founder, starring Michael Keaton; and on TV series such as Showtime’s Shameless, DirecTV’s Kingdom, and MTV’s Real World. In addition, Hollis Brown songs have been showcased in John Varvatos’s Winter 2018 runway show and online campaign.


In The Aftermath was an artistic inevitable for Hollis Brown. The five-piece band enjoyed doing the VU album so much they began to joke about doing a “Hollis Brown presents…” series, covering formative records in their artistic continuum. The impetus to do Aftermath came from an invitation to play a COVID-protocol obeying backyard party during the pandemic. The request stipulated the band perform a classic album of their choice.