Writer & Photographer / Stephanie Duncan
There’s always something entertaining to find in Broad Ripple on a summer night. For the past 11 years, a local band called the Porchmen has been livening up porches and outdoor venues with live music and a relaxing atmosphere, becoming a beloved part of the Broad Ripple music scene.
The Porchmen are Brian Moldt, Brian Wheat and Rob de las Alas, a trio of friends who play a range of classic rock covers. Over the years, they have gained a consistent audience by playing on the back porch of Hotel Broad Ripple in the summer. The shows are always free, and people arrive early to set up lawn chairs and reserve their spot.
Hotel Broad Ripple is a boutique hotel in the heart of Broad Ripple Village, overlooking the Monon Trail and the White River. Moldt enjoys seeing familiar faces every time they play. “It’s so relaxed. I’ll talk to people walking across the Monon during the set. People show up like an hour early to set up chairs, and bring blankets and coolers of food,” he said. The venue also offers beer, wine, nonalcoholic refreshments and snacks.
Their set list features an eclectic range of classic rock songs from the 1960s and ’70s, including hits by the Eagles, the Beatles, Rod Stewart and more. The Porchmen’s unique twist on these songs and their ability to adapt them to their acoustic sound make their performances a must-see for any classic rock fan.
The band’s camaraderie and longtime friendship create an inviting and fun atmosphere. During their July 5 show, children played in front of the crowd, attendees sang along and Monon Trail patrons stopped to enjoy the music. The band played a high-energy three-hour set, complete with banter and dancing. “I really enjoy playing with these guys. They’re uniquely talented in what they do,” de las Alas said.
De las Alas comes from a musical family and plays about eight instruments. The Porchmen highlight his talents, including mandolin and violin. Adding mandolin to classic rock isn’t expected—but that’s what makes their covers unique.
Moldt handles guitar and lead vocals, while Wheat adds depth by playing bass guitar and percussion simultaneously. “[Wheat’s] got these two foot pedals to keep the groove. I don’t know how he does it, but he does it really well,” Moldt said.
Eleven years is a long time to play together, and it all began with a jam session during a thunderstorm. “I have this annual birthday bash on my porch, and I invited all my musician friends,” Wheat said. “We crammed like 15 people on my porch. A raging thunderstorm came through, but we kept playing.”
Moldt immediately noticed de las Alas. “There was a guy on my left who, when I got there, had a guitar in his hand. Two songs later, he’s playing harmonica, then mandolin. Three songs later, he’s playing violin,” Moldt said. No one remembers who first suggested starting a band, but the trio knew they had something special. After playing more on Wheat’s porch, they started looking for other venues.
Their first gig was at a bar formerly known as 1001. Moldt convinced the owners to let them play for free—but they needed a name. “As I’m walking out, the bartender asks, ‘Hey, what’s the name of your band?’” Moldt said. “We didn’t have a name, so I said, ‘We’re the porch band.’ My daughter asked, ‘Did you say the Porchmen?’ I said, ‘No, but that’s it!’” The name stuck.
Soon after, Wheat’s neighbors helped connect the band with Hotel Broad Ripple, and the relationship has flourished. “We have all these musical backgrounds and kept with it. There’s no big ego. We have a lot of fun,” Moldt said. “We’re just three guys who have careers and jobs. Playing together scratches the itch and keeps the dream alive.”
The Porchmen have more performances scheduled this summer. For dates, visit hotelbroadripple.com or check the band’s Facebook page.
