The Wicked Farleys were a very loud rock band formed in 1994 in Fitchburg, MA and based in Boston. Members included Michael Andor Brodeur (guitar & lead vocals), Vanessa Downing (guitar, vocals and keyboard), Rob Laakso (guitar and keyboard), Michael Cory (bass) and Ken Bernard (drums and keyboard).
The band’s debut 7” single “Ken Theory” was released in 1998 on Big Top Records, introducing their intricate and aggressive collision of styles, from math rock to dreamy noise pop to extended drones and feral improvisations. Their debut album, “Sentinel And Enterprise” arrived later that year, followed by an EP (“Sustained Interest,” 1999) and a second and final album, “Make It It,” which vastly expanded the band’s sonic palette while refining its signature “collage rock.” The Farleys also released a split single the Vehicle Birth on Doomsayer Records and several uncollected cassettes.
After disbanding, Laakso went on to perform with bands including Diamond Nights, Mice Parade, the Swirlies, and Kurt Vile and the Violators. Bernard also played with the Swirlies, as well as joining the bands Film School and Ra Ra Riot. Cory went on to play with Bright and currently works in TV and film. Downing pursued several music projects including Rosa Chance Well and a reuinion with her previous band, Samuel. Brodeur went onto form Certainly, Sir, and currently releases music under the name New Dad. He also writes for the Washington Post and released his first book in 2024.
Rob Laakso passed away on May 4th of 2023.
