The Keywest Rejects Biography
Mark Allen - Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar & Percussion
Mark Lavey - Guitar, Keyboards & Vocals
Mark Juenemann - Bass & Vocals
Matt Novachis - Drums
Alright, so let’s get real. This is, after all, what The Key West Rejects are all about – real music for real people. People – everyday people with honest jobs and authentic lives that work hard and play hard. If that’s not glamorous enough for you, consider heartfelt songs about love, lust, family, broken relationships, breaking relationships, good times, bad times and, well … just plain old life.
From beer and whiskey laments to barn burner anthems, Stevie Ray Vaughan to Johnny Cash, Springsteen to Stevie Wonder, Jimmie Buffett to Van Morrison, The Key West Rejects embody the very essence of American roots music, and with this The Key West Rejects add a dash of pop from across the pond. Take soulful harmony, a pinch of razor-sharp musicianship, and a heaping helping of Minneapolis and St Paul grit and you’ve got one of the highest and in demand headliners in the upper-Midwest live circuit with a growing and fiercely loyal following.
The original line-up for The Key West Rejects is Mark Allen (The Mustard Seeds, Shaky Jake, Grayson), and a “who is available tonight” cast of talented musicians. In 2009 The Key West Rejects performed at Moondance Jammin Country, Moondance Jam, and Tree Frog Music Festival with rave reviews. These interludes included the current Bass player, Mark Juenemann. With that on the plate the best was yet to come.
The Key West Rejects average over a 160 shows a year, and in addition to performing popular songs and B-side covers, they are supporting original compositions from The Key West Rejects and will be releasing their newest CD in 2011.
Along with the addition of Bassist Mark Juenemann (Patrik Tanner & the Farway Men, Grayson, studio engineer and producer at The Brew House recording studio in Minneapolis,) into the mix has been added Drummer Matt Novachis (Keri Noble, DarkPony, Molly Maher and Erik Koskinen), and Guitarist, singer/songwriter Mark Lavey (studio musician, solo artist, and sit-in bass player for the pop group The Rembrandts). The Key West Rejects sport new faces, exceptional musicianship and a crisp energy; fused with the core heritage Mark Allen helped shape.
Long-time fans haven’t missed a step and fresh ears are perking up. With the collective musical accomplishments The Key West Rejects have, they are sure to keep feet stomping and libations flowing for as long as a hard earned night-on-the-town can endure. Watch out for your heart, soul and gut; because that’s where they aim to hit you.