🎶 Recent Reviews of single ‘Get On With It’
https://www.musicnewsmonthly.com/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-get-on-with-it.html
MNM
Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs have released Skin a Cat, a full-length album that moves through alt blues rock and Americana without ceremony. ‘Skin a Cat’ has it all, biting guitars hard hitting drum work backing up McKinney’s voice that has rich depth to it. Don’t worry, there is plenty of groove to get you moving as well thanks to Brendan’s experience that he gained from many years on the road and time in the studio.
Some of the tracks are already being pitched for TV and film placements, and the album is now available on vinyl for those who want it in hand. One of those tracks is ‘Get On With It’, a blues infused rock track that has everything you could possibly want in a song. The harmonica starts things of before Brendan’s gritty vocals kick in to do what he does best, storytelling. This track in particular is a prime example of McKinney’s ability to build a scene and character with lyrics.
He drives the message home by slowing things down half way through, there is still a groove there but you can feel the mood shift slightly. Basically saying “you have to sort yourself out”. McKinney has played in Colorado, Nashville, and across Europe so he knows how to make every performance count. ‘Skin a Cat’ and ‘Get On With It’ in particular captures that energy perfectly.
With the album out, the focus is on reaching new ears. Distribution, marketing, licensing and finding the right partners to carry the music further. For now, though, it’s just a record of a band who have been making their sound for years, and aren’t done yet thankfully.
David Weddle, Music News Monthly
DULAX!
BRENDAN MCKINNEY & THE 99 BROWN DOGS – GET ON WITH IT SINGLE REVIEW: A GRIT-DRIVEN BLUES-ROCK ANTHEM OF RESILIENCE AND RENEWAL
·31 OCTOBER 2025
Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs – Get On With It
From the heart of Eagle Colorado, United States, emerges a voice that carries the weight of roads traveled, nights performed, and stories lived, Brendan McKinney, the seasoned singer-songwriter and frontman of Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs. A true craftsman of Americana and blues-rock, McKinney’s music transcends borders and eras, echoing the spirit of resilience that defines every artist who has lived by their songs. His journey is not one marked by shortcuts or overnight fame, but by a lifetime of experience, persistence, and devotion to honest storytelling through sound. McKinney’s musical path has cut across Colorado, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Europe, leaving traces of his distinctive tone and soulful energy wherever he’s performed. Whether commanding a stage solo or backed by the raw chemistry of The 99 Brown Dogs, his performances are known for their emotive storytelling, dynamic delivery, and heartfelt sincerity. His artistry carries that lived-in authenticity that only years of crafting and refining can bring, each note, lyric, and phrase shaped by the dust and distance of countless performances.
Beyond the stage, McKinney’s work has resonated widely across film and television, earning him placements in acclaimed series such as Trust Me, United States of Tara, Justified, Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva, and Shameless. His evocative sound has also made its mark on the big screen with a feature in the film Lean on Pete, reflecting the cinematic scope of his songwriting. With licensing deals in both Los Angeles and the UK, record deals in Nashville and Colorado, and publishing representation through Harlan Howard Songs, McKinney has become a respected figure in both the American and international music scenes. His compositions, celebrated at SXSW, reveal a songwriter who doesn’t just perform, he translates lived experience into melody, crafting music that feels personal yet universally relatable.
Together with The 99 Brown Dogs, McKinneychannels a sound steeped in grit, groove, and genuine emotion. Their music stands at the crossroads of alt-blues rock and Americana, a blend of earthy rhythm, lyrical bite, and the kind of honesty that only comes from playing with heart rather than ambition. It’s this authenticity that has earned McKinney comparisons to artists like Chris Stapleton and The Black Keys, while his work continues to stand apart through its own grounded individuality. With “Get On With It,”released on October 1, 2025, Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs deliver a defiant and soulful anthem that feels like a conversation between heartache and hope. The single captures the band’s essence in its purest form, raw, bluesy, and unapologetically human. It’s a song that hits with grit and swagger, merging smoky harmonica tones, grounded guitar riffs, and McKinney’s soulful, weathered vocals into a sound both classic and contemporary.
Described by McKinney himself as “part kick in the teeth, part pep talk,” the track speaks to the inner struggle of breaking free from the weight of the past. It’s a self-directed message of perseverance, urging both the artist and his listeners to stop making excuses and move forward, to face the present with courage rather than hesitation. Featured on the album Skin a Cat, “Get On With It” exemplifies the band’s signature blend of alt-blues rock energy and Americana storytelling, built on tight instrumentation and unfiltered emotionality. Every note feels lived-in, every lyric drawn from experience. The song’s gritty drive and lyrical conviction make it more than just a blues-rock single, it’s a mantra for anyone learning to push past inertia and reclaim motion. In “Get On With It,” McKinney doesn’t just perform resilience, he embodies it, proving once again why his music resonates so deeply across borders and hearts alike.
The magic of “Get On With It” is not only found in Brendan McKinney’s songwriting and performance but also in the masterful production touch of his longtime friend and collaborator, Erik Horvitz, a Philadelphia native whose name carries weight in the region’s music scene. Their creative relationship stretches back decades, rooted in shared history, artistic trust, and a mutual dedication to authentic sound. McKinney and Horvitz first worked together years ago in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, when Horvitz helped produce one of McKinney’s earliest original projects, a formative experience that would later shape the artist’s career trajectory. That early collaboration planted the seeds of a creative bond built on honesty, experimentation, and a shared love for capturing raw, human emotion through music. Now, years later, their reunion on this project rekindles that same chemistry with a renewed sense of purpose and maturity. Horvitz’s deep understanding of McKinney’s musical identity allows him to draw out the emotional core of every note, enhancing the performance without diluting its authenticity.
His production on “Get On With It” elevates the band’s blues-rock sound, adding warmth, clarity, and dimension while preserving the grit and groove that define McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs. Each instrument breathes under Horvitz’s direction, the harmonica howls with vitality, the guitars shimmer with purpose, and McKinney’s vocals sit right where they belong: front and center, raw and real. Renowned throughout Philadelphia and its surrounding music circles, Horvitz is celebrated for his meticulous ear, technical precision, and uncanny ability to turn organic performances into fully realized, emotionally resonant recordings. On “Get On With It,” he doesn’t just produce, he curates atmosphere, giving the track its analog warmth and live energy, as if the listener were right there in the studio. His intuitive approach allows the song to unfold naturally, balancing power with subtlety and giving each sonic layer room to shine. The result is a production that not only complements McKinney’s artistry but also deepens it, proving once again that when two longtime collaborators reunite with shared passion and purpose, the music speaks louder, and more truthfully, than ever.
Fiona Ross, Dulaxi
https://www.loosestrand.com/features/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-get-on-with-it
LOOSE STRAND FEATURE | GET ON WITH IT
Nov 2
Written By Molly Boland
I was instantly swept into ‘Get On With It’s’ groovy beat. The song is an excellent blend of genres, with soul, alternative rock, and bluesy instrumentals throughout. ‘Get On With It’ is the seventh track on Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs’ latest album titled ‘Skin a Cat’. Brendan McKinney, the singer/songwriter of the track, is no stranger to the stage. His solo performances and gigs with The 99 Brown Dogs have delighted audiences in person and on screen. McKinney’s songs have been featured on many TV shows and even a feature film (Lean on Pete).
I’m not surprised this music has made a splash in multiple formats. ‘Get On With It’ is my first impression of Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs and I was thoroughly impressed. The soulful harmonica, cruising rhythm section, and funky guitar riffs each stand out in their own right, but not so much that they don’t compliment each other. McKinney has the perfect voice to carry the song, equal parts smooth and rough around the edges in all the right places. It’s the type of song I would turn up on the radio or jam to with the masses at a concert. The production skills of longtime friend and colleague of McKinney’s, Philadelphia native , Erik Horvitz are a pleasant addition.
McKinney and Horvitz, who collaborated years ago, reunite for this project, bringing a sense of familiarity and renewed creativity to the album.
“Erik helped me with one of my very first original projects years back in Ardmore Pennsylvania,” McKinney recalls. “I was heading over to Europe to travel around and perform, and we put together a muti-track recording of my songs. I brought it with me to sell at shows.” Horvitz’s production skills are highly renowned and respected in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. His expertise brings a new dimension to the band’s sound, enhancing each track’s depth and texture.
‘Get On With It’, while a fun song to rock out to, is lyrically a call to action. McKinney’s gritty rock and roll voice urges a friend who is drowning in drink and playing the blame game, to “get up and get on with it”. It’s a tough, but necessary reminder that wallowing in excuses and pointing fingers at other people can’t actually get you where you want to go. Eventually we do indeed have to just get up and get on with it. Fortunately, the challenging message goes down pretty smoothly to such a cool soundtrack.
Molly Boland, Loose Strand
🎶 Recent Reviews of single ‘The Woods’
“This is a great song!”
— AMERICANA HIGHWAYS
“I really enjoy the guitar work on this one … consider me a fan!”
— GLIDE MAGAZINE
“The groove is fantastic!”
—VIBESMOVIN’
“Expressive vocals and great guitar lines—fits the ambience beautifully.”
— PHONOGRAPH ME
“Such a cool track … these guys are very talented!”
— MUSIC ON THE R0X
“ I really liked this. The song’s lyrics and groove captivated in a way that few songs do lately.”
—STEREO STICKMAN
🎸 From the upcoming album Skin a Cat, out this Friday!
Reviews Of James Dunn’s Daughter
“Love the funky mix of pop and folk in this track, really warm and playful”
Existential Magazine UK
“…lively work with interesting cultural nuances … engaging, and its vivid dynamics make it very contagious.”
CR Indie.
“A delicious, fun and surprising track, it escapes the monotony of the current music scene and brings relevance, innovation and a lot of authenticity, we love it.”
Indieoclock
“…a gem for enthusiasts who value something different and authentic.”
scannerFM
https://stereostickman.com/music/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-james-dunns-daughter/
Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs
James Dunn’s Daughter
Jun 5, 2025 – Rebecca Cullen
Introducing a timeless traditional set-up and a brilliantly original song – Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs made a hearty first impression, with the unbelievably catchy folk-rock anthem James Dunn’s Daughter.
Emerging complete with a brilliantly retro and rather hilarious set of animated visuals, James Dunn’s Daughter unfolds as a catchy organic folk groove, with raspy vocals that feel born to perform in this way.
The track follows short and classic folk lines of quirky rhymes and scenes that hold attention throughout. No moment is wasted, no filler necessary – the song is sharp and witty, heartfelt and interesting; an absolute earworm but also one that naturally prompts you to set off on your own internet deep-dive to back up the conceptual connection.
James Dunn’s Daughter is a superb original track, a refreshing take on the ever-engaging folk set-up, with a catchy Irish riff and jig at its core, and a lyrical thread that captivates from start to finish.
It’s a high bar to set for an introduction to a new band, but that’s almost essential as a starting point these days. Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs are onto a winning formula with this. Absolutely worth a multitude of streams this summer, and be certain to check out a live show from the band if the opportunity arises – a festival gem for sure.
Find Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs on Facebook & Instagram.
CelticFolk RockIrishPunk RockRockBrendan McKinneyIreland, EuropeUSA
https://stereostickman.com/music/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-james-dunns-daughter/
STEREO STICKMAN
Reviews of Fashion Magazine
https://www.theothersidereviews.com/brendan-mckinney-and-the-99-brown-dogs-fashion-magazine-2024/
Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs – Fashion Magazine (2025)
Reaching far beyond his US borders, seasoned singer-songwriter Brendan McKinney has turned heads in Europe, South America, North America, and even down under in Australia. With captivating performances and a confident stage presence that is felt through the speakers, US-based McKinney intoxicates audiences solo or with his full band. Along with a critically acclaimed discography, McKinney’s music has featured in various TV shows, been showcased in the film Lean on Pete, and stunned listeners at festivals globally. Join us as we delve into his single ‘Fashion Magazine’.
Taken from his 2024 album, SKIN A CAT, ‘Fashion Magazine’ brings an alternative rock tone to the genre-diverse 12-track release. A strong Americana flavour runs through SKIN A CAT, particularly in the tracks ‘Easier Said Than Done’ and ‘Lie Stain’; however, this track’s brush of alternative rock furthers McKinney’s reach into the 90s rock sound. Interestingly, as much as ‘Fashion Magazine’ leans toward 90s rock, there is a gleam of 70s clinging to it with a funk-dosed piano, crashing drums, and soaring classic rock guitars.
Joined once again by producer Erik Horvitz, ‘Fashion Magazine’ sees a reunion between McKinney and Horvitz blending old-school sentiments with modern-day attitudes. For me, the warm, rich, contagious infection of this track caresses you with a big hug and massive grins. Moreover, the comfortable bubble of sound uses its kaleidoscopic joviality and rhythm to retain a sense of cool, laidback tranquillity in the groovy vibes. At this exact moment, the single is a delightful brush, keeping the not Monday but Tuesday blues at bay.
As with album favourites like ‘Easier Said Than Done’, ‘Fashion Magazine’ is a “…feel good song of celebration artfully penned… with a hip, tight and groovy sound” While SKIN A CAT is an intriguing album showcasing McKinney’s innovation as an artist; I admit that this track, ‘Fashion Magazine’ is potentially my favourite of the lot. As I mentioned, it is rich, comfortable, warm and contagious, but most of all it’s a song that will have you smiling with a heart-filling happiness.
Nicole Mendesalternative rock, americana0 Comments
THE OTHER SIDE REVIEWS
Find out more about Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs on their Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-fashion-magazine-self-released
How does Brendan McKinney manage to sound simultaneously like every superb sound from the past, the perfect antidote for our current lowest common denominator music scene and the ushering in of a bright new future for music? Damn, he’s a one-man sonic messiah!
“Fashion Magazine,” a taste of his album to come, Skin a Cat, is funky and soulful and infectiously pop, but pop by a much older definition. Guitar licks and drums create a neat groove, pianos add sonic color, the sound of brass breezes through the gaps, and if you are trying to work out what that big, hooky, in-your-face sound is that you can’t seem to pin down, its a fuzzed-up, filled-out, full-of-attitude bass line being used in ways that most bands couldn’t even contemplate.
It’s an effortlessly cool song that has wandered the musical landscape, past and present, hopped genres, mined sonic seams and ripped up any number of rule books, searching for all the best bits of popular music, gathering them together, and putting them together in new and inventive ways.
The result is a song about the simple pleasures in life, dreams of the high life, and an overall life’s-too-short ethos celebration, and I challenge anyone to listen to this and not realize that…
1. Music has lost its way; it used to be much cooler.
2. Brendan McKinney is your new favorite artist.
3. We must stop worrying about stuff and just concentrate on absorbing all the fun out of life.
4. We all want to ride aimlessly about in a coffee-colored limousine.
THE BIG TAKEOVER
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https://viviplay.net/brendan-mckinneys-fashion-magazine-more-boot-stomp-than-catwalk
So, Brendan McKinney and the 99 Brown Dogs drop “Fashion Magazine” into the world, and honestly, the title itself throws you for a loop before a single note plays. Expecting glitter? Nope. This thing lands with the satisfying thud of a well-made boot hitting packed earth. It’s got that signature tight, chewy groove they’re known for – a compelling shuffle somewhere between Americana grit and Bluesrock muscle, nudging shoulders with Newgrass precision. Think The Black Keys meticulously organizing their tool shed while somehow making it swing.
The track practically breathes its central idea: life’s a finite resource, don’t waste the good stuff – time, energy, goodwill – on yesterday’s nonsense or fretting about hypothetical stumbles. It advocates a kind of pragmatic preparedness, keeping your powder dry, metaphorically speaking. There’s a low hum of resilience running through it, almost like the steady gaze of a lighthouse keeper during a lull – acutely aware storms exist, perhaps even imminent, but finding a peculiar strength in readiness and routine maintenance of the self…Life’s too short, the groove implies, to let psychic static drown out the beat.
VIVIPLAY
By Christian
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Release Date: OUT NOW!
U.S-based Brendan Mckinney & the 99 Brown Dogs have released the superb rock-pop single, ‘Fashion Magazine‘. We adore the engaging vibe, stunning musicianship and intelligent chordal progressions. ‘Fashion Magazine‘ is a single that sets Brendan Mckinney & the 99 Brown Dogs apart from the crowd.
FVMusicBlog
Championing DIY Musicians
https://99browndogs.com/skinacat
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