‘Back to our roots’: Country music’s newest band, The Brethren, set to debut in Bend

(Updated: adding video, comments from band)

EP release party Saturday evening at Silver Moon Brewing; group hass roots in Bend -- and one of its most popular bands

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Two sets of brothers, a lot of talent and late-night music sessions have birthed a new powerhouse in country music. The best part -- this group is Bend-raised!

The gang consists of four members: Chad and Lonnie Chapin and Corey and Casey Parnell. The Brethren is getting ready to show the world what it's all about. It's a spin-off group from the popular Central Oregon band Precious Byrd, with three of the four members also being in that group.

The Brethren was born from tough times, after the pandemic put a pause on the music industry.

"We had to figure stuff out, because music was on hard times," lead vocalist Corey Parnell said Friday. "But there was never really a Plan B."

For their love of music, these brothers got together to play for fun. Drummer Chad Chapin says they didn't expect to be so pleased with the results.

"A few days later, just listening to it, it was like -- 'We have something here,'" said Chapin.

In two days, the group had written 10 songs.

"It was magic, and it was fun . And it took us back to our roots," said lead electric Casey Parnell.

All of them started playing music when they were kids. Growing up in Bend, the group has been influenced by Pacific Northwest grunge, a little country and their gospel roots -- something lead bass player Lonnie Chapin says created a unique style.

"All of us in the Brethren -- we were born to play, sing, write and bring hope to people through music, and love on people through music," Chapin said. "And it just turned out a lot bigger than we had ever thought it ever would."

Casey Parnell says being successful in the music industry is just a bonus for The Brethren.

"We love music, we love what it does, but we also love playing it together," Parnell said.

Although they're now tied to Nashville, the group's debuting in Bend.

"There's no other place that we could do this that makes sense like this does," said Chad Chapin.

The Brethren is releasing its first EP on Saturday, with a debut concert at Silver Moon Brewing in Bend. Not only is it a big day for the group, but it's also their first live performance as a band. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10.