Meet the most authentic and high-energy band of our generation: Spontaneous MotherLode, a hard rock band playing 90’s rock and roll looking to shake up the world! Playing from NYC, New Jersey, and Boston, they’ve performed at venues like Stone Pony, Mercury Lounge, Webster Hall Studio, the Delancey, the Grocery and Trash Bar just to name a few. The band is heavily influenced by 90’s rock of Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers but also is inspired by the 60’s and 70’s with The Doors, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and more. However, Spontaneous MotherLode is in a league of its own with their millennial take on rock and roll. The band consists of 4 members who have been best friends since practically birth: Abie Zarif- lead singer and guitarist, Sammy Haber- also on guitar, Michael Adjmi on drums and Isaac Ashkenazi on Bass guitar. For some particular shows, sometimes they substitute members of the band with other fellow musicians from their community, who they jam with from time to time, adding more variety and excitement to their music. I’ve been following Spontaneous MotherLode’s performances and social media accounts for many years now and must say that they continue to surprise and “wow” me with their incredible music skills and live presence.
The first time I ever saw SML play was in 2012 during the summer at a show I was also performing music in and they completely stole the show, to say the least. They played in Deal, New Jersey for a charity event that our community does every summer called Deal Stock. I remember being blown away by all members of the band with their extremely high-energy and how they were all completely zoned into their performance, each member giving 100% of themselves. Their “groupies” (more like best friends) were all mosh pitting in the front by the stage. The main singer and guitarist, Abie, got so heated in the moment by the music that at the end of the performance he completely smashed his guitar into pieces on stage: it was the wildest thing I had ever seen and just to top it all off, the drummer, Michael Adjmi proceeded to crowd surf on top of all of his friends and fans too. Outrageous is an understatement: the true essence of rock and roll was present on that glorious day and everybody in the crowd knew it. Although that was their most shocking performance, my favorite show was when they played at the Grocery in NYC this past year, covering one of my favorite Beatles songs, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, capturing the true spirit of the English rock band’s legacy.
If I were to describe the lead singer, Abie Zarif, I would say his voice is identical sounding to Jim Morrison of the Doors, his live stage presence, and personality is that of a comedian mixed with the energy and passion of Prince and Mick Jagger. Mr. Zarif has repeatedly been called “the best guitarist of our generation” and aside from that, he is also a phenomenal singer, songwriter, and poet: he is a quadruple threat and a force to be reckoned with. The other members of the band are extremely talented as well, involved in all of the song and music writing process as well as the branding for the band’s image. Guitarist, Sammy Haber is not only a huge art enthusiast and talented illustrator but he also plays drums, bass, keyboard, a tin whistle and a matafono. Michael Adjmi, the drummer, also plays guitar, base and is a phenomenal painter, having one of his artworks credited and sold at this past year’s Art Basel in Miami. The bassist, Isaac Ashkenazi also plays guitars and is a fashion designer. Isaac and Abie are currently working on a new album together and touring in Rhinebeck, NY where they are living and breathing their passion- music. They will continue to build on their talent and hope to change the future of music, as we know it. They are as much skilled professional musicians as they are truly extraordinary and capable human beings. They are artists of music composition, songwriting, performance, and poetry. Consider me inspired.
If you’re interested in seeing more from this band: look up @Spontaneous_MotherLode on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
