MPH and the Overdrive Bring 'Bluesy-based Rock' to Larchmont

As another day of sultry weather died down, a cool breeze swept through Flint Park as five-member band MPH and the Overdrive took the stage.

According to MPH's Facebook page their sound is derived from “an eclectic mix of Americana, blues, pop, R&B and rock n’ roll.” However, lead vocalist and new mom Megan Porcaro Herspring describes the band’s base more specifically as “rock and blues covers” without any original music performed by the band.

A relative newcomer to MPH, Herspring is still in her first year on vocals, with remaining members Evan Molho (guitars), Tom Nelson (guitars), Jorge Del Rio (bass) and Scott Kaplan (in his first gig on drums), making up the rest of the act. 

Del Rio, Molho and Kaplan even played together in pre-existing bands, according to Herspring.

Herspring, the lead singer, originally hails from the Bronx and is a mother of three, with her youngest delivered “just a few weeks ago.” That, however, wasn’t stopping her from rocking out with the boys for the night. The rest of the band members are Larchmont residents with guitarist, Nelson, living in the village since 1988.

“There are a lot of great musicians in Larchmont,” said Nelson. “And it’s been really great meeting them over the years.”

MPH has previously played the Gramercy Theater in Manhattan.

They kicked off their playlist for the evening with Koko Taylor’s “Voodoo Woman” and included “Angel from Montgomery,” a personal favorite of Herspring’s and a tune previously performed by Bonnie Raitt.

As the evening wore on, a crowd of nearly 100 assembled—mostly teenage girls and young families—in general celebration of the summer, with plenty of bottled water on hand and even a few picnickers dining on pizza.

Jonathan Shapiro—who just saw U2 perform at the Meadowlands Arena the previous night—spent some quality time with wife, Laurie, at the local show. When asked about the recent heat wave gripping the area, Laurie, said “it’s hot, it’s not fun. . . I’ve been sending my kids to camp with lots of water.”

Also in attendance were Katerina Horka—visiting from Boston—and Martina Prikrylova, a citizen of the Czech Republic who is staying with a family in Mamaroneck. The two women were left in charge of Max, 4, who was disappointed when he found out Katy Perry wouldn’t be performing.

Dr. David Molho—a resident of Scarsdale for 40 years and guitarist Evan’s dad—was also in the crowd and boasted of how MPH played in Larchmont, drawing a rather large crowd.

According to his father, Evan is a self-taught guitarist.

When the doctor’s wife was questioned about the recent blistering heat she replied, “What heat wave; it’s a beautiful night, just feel the breeze.” And the 100 or so who gathered in celebration for the evening all seemed to mutually agree.