The PickPockets - Band Bio

Band Bio

Band Members

Ryan Calter

Lead vocals & guitar

Ryan has been a fixture in the local music scene for nearly a decade. His work with The 781 Band as a rhythm guitarist and vocalist fueled his passion for performance and reinforced his belief that “music is medicine.” With a strong yet soulful vocal style, he brings heart and energy to The PickPockets.

Dennis Murphy

Guitar & Mandolin

Dennis is a veteran of the Boston music scene, having performed with stalwarts like The Swissbomb and Wackass Egyptians. With guitar, mandolin, and a dose of indie-rock grit, he helps shape the distinctive sound of The PickPockets.

Andrew Frates

Guitar

Andrew has been a cornerstone of the South Shore music scene for over two decades, performing with several local bands including Whiskey Burn. Now with The PickPockets, his blues and rock influences shine through, adding depth and character through his dynamic guitar work.

Scott LaBelle

Saxophone

After a 14-year hiatus, Scott returned to the music scene by joining The PickPockets in 2021. On saxophone, he layers blues- and rock-inspired leads, vocal harmonies, and subtle melodic textures that enrich the sound of both The PickPockets and Bad Decisions.

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Jimmy Swiss

Cajón

A veteran of the Boston music scene, Jimmy has drummed for bands including Forgetful Jones, Drag Strip Courage, and Swiss Bomb before stepping up as frontman of the Wack Ass Egyptians. Now with The PickPockets, he channels his songwriting and percussion talents into the cajón, bringing both energy and experience to the band’s sound.

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About Us

Formed in 2020 by Andrew, Dennis, and Steve as a rock cover band with the versatility to weave in softer acoustic sounds, we quickly discovered that our sweet spot was in carefully crafted acoustic takes on popular music.

Acoustic sing-alongs soon became part of the repertoire, but our true distinction emerged when we began transcribing and reimagining harder rock and punk songs in our own head-turning, “they’re really doing that?!” style. Now, we’re thrilled to also be putting out original music, with our debut single “Fondly (Think of Me)” released in September 2025.

Whatever the crowd or venue calls for, we deliver. As a five-piece band featuring guitars, mandolin, sax, bass, and cajón, we bring a full, versatile sound that can adapt to both intimate settings and larger stages.

Our goal is to fulfill the expectations of every venue, their patrons, and our fans. Acoustic guitars and the warm tones of the cajón allow a dinner crowd to enjoy music and conversation—while still leaving room for us to plug in and bring the party when the time is right.

Every gig is unique, and every venue is different. We strive to give you the perfect show, tailoring each performance to the audience in front of us. We take pride in our attention to detail, and we hope it shines through in every set list and performance.

The PickPockets feel lucky to share our music with you. We’re grateful that you continue to come out and support us, and we promise to always work hard to deliver a great show!