The Meishlunday

The Meishlunday is a rock band rapidly gaining acclaim in Albany, NY. The band is led by lead singer and songwriter Stephen Jenkins who is joined by his brother Paul Jenkins on keyboard and saxophone. Lead guitarist Nathaniel Meyers hammers out the catchy lead-lines and rocking solos, while the bass groove of Michael Santoli and the solid beat of drummer Josh Opitz move the Meishlunday’s audience each and every song, show after show. Whenever possible, the band calls upon their distinguished 4- piece horn section for even more energy and fun. The Meishlunday originated in the rural area of Laurens, NY. The Jenkins’ began playing Stephen’s songs in local venues, community events, and Boy Scout functions in the Otsego County area. Heavily influenced by the work of Dave Matthews Band, Damien Rice, and Mumford and Sons, their songs began gaining momentum in the surrounding rural areas and small cities, and they began to acquire a faithful and upbeat crowd. Realizing that their band needed a name as the music began to catch, Stephen and Paul chose a fictitious word created by their younger brother Ryan. The word “Meishlunday”, is derived from their younger brother Ryan’s misunderstanding of the chorus lyrics of the song Holiday Inn by Chingy, Ft. Snoop Dogg. The word would later develop symbolic importance for all three brothers throughout their childhood. The establishment of their new-found name and the drive to remain active musicians in their community pushed their music even further, despite their inevitable graduation from their hometown high school in Laurens, NY. Upon moving to Albany, NY for their collegiate education, Stephen and Paul sought to further the band’s horizons, and take their music to the next level. Upon enrolling in the College of Saint Rose, the brothers recruited Dean DiMarzo, Mike Santoli, Benjamin Mandaro and Jordan Randall. Over time however, band members had to leave and new members were needed as the band’s sound developed and its members found themselves in college. Despite this, moving from their rural town to the City of Albany proved to be a windfall for the band, which rapidly gained local success and recognition. Shortly after taking Nathaniel Meyers on to the roster, and the band’s sound began to transform and develop into a fusion of Dave Matthews Band and The Black Keys. In 2012, after losing more drummers than Spinal Tap, the band added the young and talented Josh Opitz to the roster and the band’s music immediately took a turn for the excessively rocking. With the band’s fuller sound established, booking began anew at parties, fairs, colleges and festivals. The Sunshine Fair, Westfield State College, the College of Saint Rose and Rockabilly Mountain Meltdown are just a few of these events that The Meishlunday has played. The Meishlunday is in the process of recording their first EP and is expected to release the album by the early months of 2013. In addition, The Meishlunday has opened for the famous Ska band Streetlight Manifesto, the international touring act Badfish (on two different occasions in 2012 and 2013) and the pop band Cute is What We Aim For in May of 2011. The Meishlunday has also done two weekend tours opening for the international Cajun band L’Angelus several times throughout 2011 and 2012 and will be a three year returner at the Rockabilly Mountain Music Festival this summer. Delivering Rock Music like a freight train to everyone and anyone since 1750.