The formation of a band is sometimes very exact, and other times is quite organic. Such is the case with Grain Thief, a five-piece string band based in Boston, Massachusetts. At the band’s core is Patrick Mulroy (guitar/vocals). Grain Thief was the man he used for his solo project from 2011 to 2014 when he toured the East Coast after recording two EPs and moving back to Boston from Washington, DC. While living in Washington, Mulroy played in a heavy metal jam band called Thundertyts.
In Boston, he continued to use the name Grain Thief, bringing in a revolving group of musicians, including drummers, guitarists, and bass players. Tom Farrell joined the band early on. Mulroy and Farrell met in 2008. He became a regular, playing bass guitar while Mulroy played his newly purchased blonde Telecaster®.
Zach Meyer and Alex Barstow were reluctant members at first. Meyer was a saxophonist and was prodded to join the band on mandolin. Barstow was a trained classical violinist and had also played drums in a punk band. Meyer convinced him to jam on some old-time tunes. Meyer grew up in the old-time fiddle community in Washington State. Rounding out the band is Mike Harmon, who is a recording engineer. He plays bass and adds a third vocal harmony to the band.