The Mollys

The Mollys were an American folk-rock quintet, influenced by Celtic and Tejano music, and based in Tucson, Arizona. For most of their run, their members were Nancy McCallion, Catherine Zavala, Kevin Schramm, Dan Sorenson and Gary Mackender.[1] They self-released several albums between 1992 and 2011. Craig Harris of Allmusic called them "one of the contemporary folk music's most eclectic bands."[2]

The Mollys
OriginTucson, Arizona
GenresFolk-rock
Years active1989–2004, plus occasional subsequent reunions
WebsiteOfficial web site
MembersNancy McCallion, Catherine Zavala, Kevin Schramm, Dan Sorenson, Gary Mackender
Past membersDanny Krieger

History

Before The Mollys

Three of The Mollys - Nancy McCallion, Catherine Zavala, and Dan Sorenson - had previously performed in the Tucson band Nadine and the MoPhonics.[3]

The Mollys

Nancy McCallion and Catherine Zavala started The Mollys in Tucson in 1989. They were influenced by Celtic and Tejano music, and by The Pogues. For most of their run, the Mollys were Nancy McCallion (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, tin whistle, songwriting), Catherine Zavala (lead vocals, mandolin), Kevin Schramm (since 1994 - accordions, guitar, vocals), Dan Sorenson (bass, tour blogger), and Gary Mackender (drums, vocals).[1][4] Circa 2001, Zavala and Mackender, tired of touring, left the band and Danny Krieger (guitar) joined.

Between 1989 and 2004, The Mollys self-released seven albums, under the publishing name "Apolkalips Now".[4] The Mollys' album Hat Trick was given 4.5/5 stars by Allmusic,[5] while Tidings of Comfort and Joy in 1992 was given 4/5 stars.[6]

McCallion and the other remaining members nominally closed The Mollys down in 2004.[7] However, through 2012, the band's original five members tended to perform an annual reunion concert in Tucson, typically around St. Patrick's Day or on Halloween, one of which resulted in an additional (live) album.[8][9][4]

Beyond The Mollys

As of 2020, all of the former Mollys remain in the Tucson area.

Circa 2005-2016, the Last Call Girls, including Kevin Schramm, Nancy McCallion, and her sister Lisa McCallion, performed around Tucson and released one album.[10][11][12][13][14] During the first decades of the 21st century, Kevin Schramm continued to perform with several other groups,[15][16] and Dan Sorenson continued his journalism career while also performing occasionally.[17][18]

As of 2020, several of the former Mollys continue to perform in locally, and some have also released recordings. Nancy McCallion performs more than once a month, leading several ensembles, some of which include her husband, and former Molly, Danny Krieger and/or her brother Neil McCallion.[19] Nancy McCallion has also self-released several recordings.[20][21] Mackender, now on accordion instead of drums, leads performances and recordings with The Carnivaleros.[22] Since 2012, Zavala leads Minute2Minute, which occasionally performs and records.[23][24]

Discography

Albums

(all albums self-published)

  • Tidings of Comfort & Joy (1992)[2]
  • This Is My Round (1995)[2][25]
  • Hat Trick (1997)[2]
  • Wankin' Out West[2]
  • Moon Over the Interstate (1999)[2][25]
  • Moon Over the Interstate expanded version, with additional tracks from previous albums, originally packaged only to carry and sell during the Mollys' tour of Australia (1999)[25]
  • Only a Story (2000)[2][2][25]
  • Trouble (2002)
  • "Live" at the El Casino Ballroom (2011)[9][2][25]

Further reading

References
  1. Zucker, Robert E., ed. (August 1, 2015). "Entertaining Tucson Across the Decades, Volume 3: The 1990s: An Entertainment Magazine Compilation". Entertainment Magazine. BZB Publishing. ISBN 9781939050090. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  2. Harris, Craig. "The Mollys". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-26.
  3. S. Castillo Samoy (April 1985). "Nadine and the MoPhonics: Singing for Success". Entertainment Magazine. reprinted in book "Entertaining Tucson Across the Decades, Volume 1: 1950s-1985", pp. 224-225, compiled by Robert E. Zucker, BZB Publishing, Inc., 2014. ISBN 1939050065. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  4. The Mollys (2012). "The Mollys". The Mollys. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  5. Gottlieb, Bob (1997). "Hat Trick". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-26.
  6. Meyer, Richard (1992). "Tidings of Comfort and Joy". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-10-26.
  7. "After 15 years, jig is up for Mollys". Arizona Daily Star. March 12, 2004. p. 57. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  8. Review at Your West Valley
  9. The Mollys. "'Live' at the El Casino Ballroom". CD Baby. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  10. Messina, Irene (November 23, 2006). "Pick of the Week: Never Too Late". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  11. Vining, Bonnie (July 7, 2011). "Last Call Girls band plays high-energy show". Tucson Week. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  12. "The Last Call Girls, in Tucson, December 18, 2016: The Boondocks Lounge". Eventful. 2016. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  13. "The Last Call Girls". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  14. The Last Call Girls (2006). "It's Never to Late to Get Lucky". CD Baby. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  15. Lerner, Ronald (November 29, 2019). "Kevin Schramm". Tucson Musicians Museum. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  16. "Nathan McEuen CD Release Concert". Tucson Happenings. November 2015. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  17. Sorensen, Dan (September 26, 2014). "Garage Start-up – Now Flying High". BizTucson. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  18. Retallick, Martha (2012). "Dan Sorenson plays acoustic guitar in the Blue Desert Band's concert at the 2012 Tucson Folk Festival". Tucson Event Photography. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  19. Nancy McCallion (March 2020). "Nancy McCallion: Shows". Nancy McCallion. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  20. "Nancy McCallion". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  21. Nancy McCallion (2019). "Nancy McCallion". CD Baby. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  22. Gary Mackender (2020). "The Carnivaleros: Dates". The Carnivaleros. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  23. Minute2Minute (March 1, 2020). "Minute2Minute...and you're in it!". Minute2Minute. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  24. "Obituary: Corkill, Brian Lee". Arizona Daily Star. November 24, 2019. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  25. "The Mollys". CD Baby. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
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