THE MULHOLLANDS @ The Viper Room

“Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream? Everybody comes here – this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don't; but keep on dreamin' – this is Hollywood.”
- PRETTY WOMAN

It’s the dream. The dream to do what you love. Some do it for fame. Some do it for passion. Like so many bands in Los Angeles, it’s this dream that makes them play night after night at clubs, bars and bowling alleys. You name it and they’ve played there, often playing for nearly nothing but simply just for the love of playing music.

The Mulhollands performs at The Viper Room
photo by picksysticks

One such band is The Mulhollands. They took their name after Hollywood’s famed street, known for its long winding road high above the City of Angels with picturesque views. It’s also were The Mulhollands would often meet and write songs together.

With her striking eyes and model good looks, lead singer Sarah Jeanette is no stranger to Hollywood. Her mom is Susan Richardson, best known for her role on Eight Is Enough. Her godfather is Dick Van Patten. Growing up in Pennsylvania, she was reportedly offered several modeling jobs (which she turned down) and even acted in her high school play. But after graduation, Jeanette moved to Los Angeles to pursue a different dream – music. Here she met guitarist Jeremy James who also moved to L.A. from Nashville to pursue his dream in music. Together, along with bassist Jeff Mizushima and drummer Danny Alfaro, The Mulhollands have created a power pop sound with a punk attitude.

Last Friday, in support of their first EP “With Our Eyes Closed,” The Mulhollands played their final show of 2007 at The Viper Room. This night’s slate included OK Stranger and The New Hotness. This electrifying night also included surprise guests in the crowd including Jodie and Jeff from The Automatic Music Explosion and Gram Rabbit quietly sitting in a corner booth. Jodie even took the stage to sing a couple songs with The Mulhollands.

The Mulhollands performs at The Viper Room
photo by picksysticks

It’s hard not to like The Mulhollands. Jeanette’s stage presence seemed natural and unforced, probably due to her upbringing by her famous mother. And with lyrics like, “It’s just another sunny day in Southern California” and soaring arrangements in songs such as “Baby Its Alright” and “Beautiful Night” it’s only natural that, with their SoCal sound, they list the Beach Boys as one of their influences. Their songs are laced with addicting melodies and catchy lyrics. No doubt about it, The Mulhollands are a SoCal band, their sound reminiscent of an ending road-trip driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, hair blowing in the wind with the top down. Their songs are that good which is not too overpowering but yet still able to generate enough punch to rock your socks off. If the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ laid back sound did what it did to identify SoCal rock, The Mulhollands are doing the same by injecting a romanticizing feel to it.

In a city where there are more downs than ups, The Mulhollands are destined for success, their songs such as “Malibu” recently being featured on television shows. They’re having fun and playing music on their own terms through pure talent and perseverance. Like the long windy road that they’ve adopted as their name, The Mulhollands are perched high atop the City of Angels, admiring the view and enjoying the ride.

The Mulhollands Official Site: www.myspace.com/themulhollands
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