The New Thirty is an original rock band from Boston that was formed in January
of 2005. With material drawn primarily from songwriters Ray Dunetz (Guitars,
Bass, Vocals) and Ray Boyce (Bass, Guitars, Vocals), The New Thirty seamlessly
combines post-punk, alt-country, classic rock, power-pop and indie-rock. When
combined with the talents and contributions of lead guitarist Fred Pickard and
drummer Kevin Moylan, the New Thirty creates an original sound that features
strong songwriting, loud guitars, distinctive vocal harmonies, powerful drums,
and hi-energy live performances.
Ray D. was originally introduced to Ray B. at a Pernice Brothers show a few
years ago by their mutual friend Mark Erdody (Kudgel, Bullpen Catcher). After
realizing they shared many of the same musical tastes and influences, Ray D. and
Ray B. decided it was finally time to start writing and playing original music
again, even though it had been several years since either one had played in an
original music project.
Ray D. had played in several popular bands in Virginia while attending college
in the early 80's, including "Geneva Convention" and
"Peasants", opening up for notable acts such as the Long Ryders,
Translator and the Violent Femmes. After moving to Boston in the mid 80's, Ray
D. formed the band "Mahatma Dogma", which recorded several singles
with legendary producer Paul Kolderie at Fort Apache Studios that received
extensive local radio airplay. But by 1990, after playing the local Boston club
circuit for several years, Ray D. decided to stop playing guitar in original
rock bands (too much beer and not enough women). In the 1990's, Ray D. played
saxophone in the world's greatest (and biggest) circus music band,
"Jumbo".
Ray B. played guitar and co-wrote songs in a popular Boston band called
"The Returnables" from 1990-1993. After releasing an album in 1992
that reached number 2 on WFNX's "Boston Rocks" album chart (receiving
airplay on WFNX, WZBC, WMBR, WBCN, WMFO and WCGY), making it to the semi-finals
of the "Tanqueray Rocks" Talent Contest, sharing bills with local rock
legends Morphine, O Positive, Cliffs of Dooneen and the Swirlies (to name just a
few), and playing just about every club in the Boston area (including The
Paradise, The Rat, Nightstage, & T.T. the Bear's), the Returnables decided
to call it quits in 1993 when it stopped being fun. In the mid-90's, Ray wrote
songs and played guitar in a band called "M.O.D.E.", whose
roots-rock/hard-rock sound was definitely unique (and definitely not
appreciated) in Boston. After M.O.D.E. disbanded in 1995, Ray kept writing and
recording songs, eventually releasing a 5 song EP that was recorded by Ducky
Carlisle at his "Room 9 From Outer Space" studio in South Boston.
Fred joined "The Returnables" at the height of their popularity in
1992, playing guitar and bass. Fred's presence promptly caused the band to enter
into a death sprial in 1993 from which they could not recover (we're just
kidding - it wasn't really Fred's fault). From '93-'95, Fred foolishly decided
to keep playing original music with Ray B. in the band "M.O.D.E." ;
too few practices and too much beer eventually caused the collapse of that band
after just a handful of gigs and a 5 song demo.
Kevin had played drums in several long-running party/cover bands (The Field of
Carrots, Triple Dog Dare) with both Fred and Ray B. in the late 80's and thru
much of the 90's, while also playing drums in a few other bands that we don't
like to talk about. After Kevin re-connected with Ray B. and Fred in 2000, the
three friends started to occasionally meet in Ray B's home studio for some
stress-free interpretations of other people's music - in other words, they would
play some cover songs in the basement. Naming their low-key cover band "Big
Vise", and with Ray B. switching to bass, they attempted to keep up their
chops by butchering classic rock songs.
When it was time to form a new band that would play original songs written by
Ray D. and Ray B., it seemed only natural for the members of Big Vise to join
forces with Ray D. and form "The New Thirty". Since their first gig in
March of 2005, The New Thirty has played some of the best clubs in greater
Boston over the past year and a half, including The Paradise Lounge, T.T. the
Bear's Place, P.A.'s Lounge, O'Brien's Pub, The Abbey Lounge, The Bulfinch Yacht
Club, The Attic and Porter's Bar. Recently selected to play the International
Pop Overthrow Festival by noted pop music critic David Bash, the New Thirty has
also just released its debut full-length CD, "Racecar",
on FOC Records. Our master plan calls for world domination by 2008, so keep your
eyes and ears open for more gigs and new music from The New Thirty during the
next few years - before we turn into "The New Forty".
