They’ve performed on the same stage as Los Lobos, and they’ve appeared as fictional vocal group the Yellow Jacket Boys in hit comedy show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and now The Mighty Echoes are bringing their harmonic vocal doowop to Culver City. We spoke to baritone Harvey Shield to find out what they’re all about…
CULVER CITY NEWS: WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING AND WRITING, AND WHEN DID YOU START TAKING IT SERIOUSLY?
Harvey Shield: Personally, I started way back in 1961 and had already performed, recorded and written my first song by the time I left school aged 18 in 1965. It’s hard to believe that’s over 50 years ago. At that time, I was the drummer in Episode Six, with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover who later became Deep Purple. We were a harmony group too, but singing with Charlie, Jon and Jon as the Mighty Echoes nowadays is even more satisfying in its simplicity and completeness. I’ve always taken music seriously and it’s always been fun to do.
WHO ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES?
Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Snooks Eaglin, but for the Mighty Echoes it would have to be the Persuasions, and Dion & the Belmonts.
DESCRIBE YOUR OWN STYLE…
We’re a rock & roll band without instruments, specializing in the songs of the doowop era and the group harmony sound of the 1950s and 1960s.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
We formed at the Olio, a long-defunct venue in Silverlake back in 1986. We’ve always been based in Echo Park, hence our name. LA has an incredibly diverse musical scene, seven days a week.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST GIG TO DATE? AND WORST?
Opening for Los Lobos at the Regent downtown last year was very cool. Like any musician, live for those moments when everything clicks; our voices, the vibe, the sound, the sudience, etc. That’s what it’s all about. We also loved playing the Yellow Jacket Boys with Danny Devito on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” In our early days, we played some private gigs where nobody listened. We described ourselves as the “doormats of doowop.” Those were the worst.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ALBUMS / SINGLES AVAILABLE?
We’re recorded five albums. I really love our Christmas album, “Doowop Around the Christmas Tree,” on Memphis International Records.
HAVE YOU PLAYED BOULEVARD MUSIC BEFORE?
Yes. I think this will be our fourth time. Gary Mandell called me a few years ago and invited us to perform there. It must have gone well because here we are again.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE SET?
Boulevard Music has a great sound system so, hopefully, you’ll hear some great vocal harmonies. We get a big sound for only four guys. We’ll do a lot of the doowop classics and throw in some other really cool songs. Aside from the music, people also tell us we’re quite funny.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED GOING FORWARD, AFTER THE SHOW?
We’re hoping to put out a new album next year, and I’d just like to keep singing as long as humanly possible.
The Mighty Echoes plays at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 2 at Boulevard Music; 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; 310-398-2583; $20.