The Wicked Duck Band: Local Roots and a New EP

It was the summer of 2017 and a cover band of two men and one substitute male drummer were walking over to another one of their gigs. Peter, the previous drummer, had recently left the band due to personal difficulties and Jake Regulbuto (20) and Jack Ryan (20) needed someone to fill in on guitar for their upcoming gig. A third Jake, their high school friend, was the solution. He was good on guitar and they needed to perform that night. Jacob Coit (21) agreed and so as the three walked over to the venue, instruments in hand an obvious realization had suddenly hit, “Why don’t you just join the band?” Quickly, Peter was replaced by a third Jake. Jake Ryan, Jake Regbulbuto, and Jacob Coit are the three men that make up the emo pop band The Wicked Duck Band. 

The band was formed in Western Massachusetts during their years at high school, but started as a cover band long before Jake Coit and Jake Regulbuto joined. It was Peter, Jake Ryan, and Regulbuto’s Cousin that had started the cover band.  Soon after Regulbuto took his cousin’s place and soon after that Jacob Coit replaced Peter. The members continued to perform together as a cover band, but by their freshman year of college they yearned to write their own music. 

At this time, however. The members were separated due to their academic career—while Regubullto was at Suffolk University and Ryan was at Berklee University, Coit lived in Connecticut—making it difficult for their band to truly kick off and grow. Regulbuto described this part of the career to be the most difficult—when they felt like they lagged the most in terms of working on their music. But they did still work on their music. They practiced in Ryan’s basement at home and were decently supported by their parents and family members. The members bonded over some of their most influential bands like Remo Drive and Mom Jeans and, when they could, continued to work on their music. 

Last summer, around late July of 2019,  they played at their first concert. Since then they have played in locations in New Hampshire, Amherst, and even at Regulbuto’s favorite venue, O’Briens Pub in Boston. “O’brien’s was a Dream,” Regulbuto declared. Along with scoring these venues, they have also accomplished finishing their first EP. 

Now the band is continuing to edit the EP while still performing for other shows. While they have also recently performed at the Democracy Center in Cambridge and the Firehouse in Allston. Their next show will be on April 10th again at the Firehouse, on April 24th at The Monster House (A House in Amherst), and on May 18th at the Jungle in Somerville. Eventually they hope to continue performing and experiencing as much as possible at as many venues as possible. 

Through the years, The Wicked Duck Band has gone through a lot of changes—even the name of the band is actually on its fourth name. Originally called The Coast, then changed to The Island Police, then changed to Donny Book. Finally, the band finally settled on The Wicked Duck Band. “It’s a name that’s a little silly—but it matches us. We want our vibe to match us.” 

Much like the name of the band has changed, so has the members of the band, and even the motive of the band members. There is growth through these changes that has benefited The Wicked Duck Band. When it comes to upcoming artists alike, Regulboto advises to “just start writing about things you enjoy, it’s all about what you like and hopefully others want to hear too. Start getting out there—meeting new people is the best part of being in a band.” Accept and enjoy the changes.