Otherwise Magnificent’s alterna-pop sound is a blend of rock, pop and alternative bands like Garbage, The Who, Patti Smith, Fleetwood Mac and Belly. Combining talent, style, sound, and a live show that reminds you why rock was invented, they are a band...
Otherwise Magnificent’s alterna-pop sound is a blend of rock, pop and alternative bands like Garbage, The Who, Patti Smith, Fleetwood Mac and Belly. Combining talent, style, sound, and a live show that reminds you why rock was invented, they are a band sure to keep an eye on
A chance meeting backstage as teens at a talent show led to the eventual collaboration of Hamilton & Jonathan Batailles. Hamilton’s fiery demeanor that night immediately collided with Batailles’ more laid back attitude, but after that thorny introduction, they quickly realized they gave balance to each other. After years of playing in various bands together and apart, they launched Otherwise Magnificent.
In 2005 they wrote, sang and self-produced their first album, ‘Nuit Louche’. Recorded with only guitar, bass, a laptop and a keyboard, the album would be a blueprint for where the duo would be looking to go in their songwriting.
After the album’s completion, they set out to begin performing live shows. Having known him from a previous band, Hamilton called in the incredibly talented Dave DiMarco to play drums. Then in early 2007, Batailles returned the favor by discovering young Christy to step in and sing lead for the band.
Hamilton plays rhythmic scales and melodic lines on the bass. Jonathan Batailles’ guitar is driving and at times jangly, creating a perfect harmony. Add Dave’s intricate yet hard-hitting drum style coupled with Christy’s enthusiastic and soaring vocals and what you have is a band entirely original yet fully accessible. Otherwise Magnificent’s live show has the energy of punk, the hooks of pop and the chops of classic rock without being tied to any one era or genre.
Now, finally fully whole, the band has set out and begun performing in front of everyone they can. They have played at such venues as Crash Mansion, Southpaw, The Continental, The Mean Fiddler, Connolly’s, The Nutty Irishman, McCoy’s, Traxx, The Pussycat Lounge, and Village Pub South. They have played at colleges such as SUNY Stony Brook and St. John’s.
Recently they have played the Long Island Unsigned & Unsung Bands Festival at the Pantheon. They will be performing at The Crazy Donkey at another Unsigned Bands Festival this week.
In an era where the singer/songwriter reigns supreme and there are no new huge rock bands rising up, OM strives to fill that void and only their imagination will be their limit.
Press & Reviews For Otherwise Magnificent
"Nothing but magnificent" - Perpetual Toxins
"Otherwise Magnificent soars at the Crash Mansion" - Amanda O’Mahony
"Loved it!...Great beat, easy to dance to, lots of fun..." - Online Review
"The vocals and the instruments just melted together. The stage presence was awesome and your overall vibe is timeless." - James Cashman, Singer/Guitarist of Altamont
As Heard On..
WSJU - St. John’s College Radio
Radio J Show on AuralFix.net
