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Led by the genre-hopping intensity of multi-instrumentalist (guitar, piano and trumpet) John McGrew, the band’s sound falls somewhere between a stripped down, recession-era form of Queen or Muse, (sans all the cosmic (and keyboard-y) spiritual references) or even Beirut, with McGrew and (professionally-trained) bassist Jeff Kerestes at the helm dripping with the swagger of stars from the arena rock days, as drummer Graham Fisk rolled right along as every song proved an encore-worthy thrill with jumping, screaming, swaying, instrument hugging, table-dancing and a set-closing a cappella stomp-along. A sweaty, saloon-rocking gospel jam along if I’ve ever seen it.
Apollo Run is a puzzle: Emo Rock? Horn-laden jam? Sweaty gospel pop? But it’s all played with impressive assuredness bolstered by John McGrew’s Buckley-ite vocal passion.
The group merits far more widespread attention than it’s received thus far; how many others can fashion compelling entertainment out of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
I went to a Lower East Side venue a few months ago to see my friend’s band play, but a singer named John McGrew that came on later upstaged them and everyone else on the bill that night. Brooklyn singer-songwriter McGrew’s fearless vocals and showmanship won me over immediately, as did his (band Apollo Run’s) spontaneous brand of indie-folk and pop-gospel…Singer/guitarist/pianist/trumpeter McGrew has an almost innate gift for melodies…
The three band members—multi-instrumentalists John McGrew, Graham Fisk and Jeff Kerestes—have developed a sound you can’t help but share with others. Each show is full of surprises and their tight playing reflects a natural precision most often found in bands comprised of siblings. Plus the guys know how to have a good time. Whether it’s through an old-fashioned stomp, robust harmonies, or a show-stopping trumpet solo, the audience is taken in by the music and the charisma…
The group’s music was so good that at times it was hard to differentiate their original stuff from the standards, and songs included folk, funk, a cappella, gospel and rock components. At various points during the set, McGrew’s bandmates would yell, laugh and “ooh” to emphasize a facet of the song, and their performance created something akin to the atmosphere of a Prohibition-era speakeasy (I imagine)…
- Michele Reverte, The LAist.com
Apollo Run, also can run wildly from one genre to the next while keeping it rocking.
Amelie Poulin would have loved this band. So would Jeff Buckley. John McGrew makes songs for mix tapes, red wine, and skeletons. Live, (Apollo Run) bring the dark carnival. A soundtrack to a life. This book, that film. Trumpets, guitars, piano. And a voice that will break hearts and start fires.
- The Deli Music Blog, submitted by Anonymous
…The handsome group of guys definitely impressed me with their catchy, dramatic rock tunes, as well as their CatchPhrase abilities (yes, I mean the game CatchPhrase).
John McGrew and his band have managed to put together a sound that is one part Rock, one part Ska, one part Gospel and one part Jam. Is this possible? It is and it’s good, better than good. You feel like you know these songs, like you are familiar with them. They make you feel that way right away. They suck you in and take you on a journey, a journey you don’t want to end. A cornucopia of sound, made even more spectacular by the energetic and vibrant stage delivery. John is someone who quite clearly has spent time honing his craft. A talented vocalist and musician in his own right John has clearly taken steps and made efforts to have only the best people around him musically as well. From guitars to horns, it’s all there blended together quite nicely…
- Dana Costantino, Evil Seed Entertainment
