The Wicked Farleys

Performing "collage rock" instead of college rock, Boston's Wicked Farleys consisted of guitarist/vocalist Michael Brodeur, guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Vanessa Downing (formerly of Samuel and Junction), guitarist/keyboardist Rob Laakso (also a member of the Swirlies), bassist Michael Cory and drummer/keyboardist Ken Bernard. Ken Theory, the group's 1997 debut seven-inch for Big Top Records, introduced their intricate, droning sound, which combines the dreaminess of the Swirlies and My Bloody Valentine with the intricacy of math-rock and the power of punk. Their first full-length effort Sentinel & Enterprise appeared in 1998, followed by the Sustained Interest EP and Madonna in 1999. The Wicked Farleys next resurfaced in early 2000 with Make It It. Rob Laakso passed away in May 2023.