The Evolution of Clayy
The core of Clayy, a Brooklyn based band, which was formally known as L.C. Littlecorrey from 2003-2006, and consisted of some very talented musicians, features Correy M. Thornton on lead vocals and Patrick Mulraney on lead guitar. Correy’s soulful voice belts out thought-provoking and introspective lyrics while Patrick’s lithe fingers create jangled and groovy syncopated chords that compliment Correy’s voice. They are the product of the grunge era, but with the sensibility of the 1970’s soul music—imagine Sevendust conjuring up Marvin Gaye.They first came together to create their breed of music with Correy’s first band, L.C. Freestyle, in 2000. The early days of L.C. Freestyle were pivotal for the young musicians. It was during this time that they honed in on their talents and skills. But life soon interfered; the band broke up and the two went their separate ways. Late 2005, however, life again played its enigmatic role and brought them together—an innocuous ad on Craigslist was to bring them back together. It turned out that Patrick was desperately looking for Correy and Correy was desperately looking for a guitar player. Patrick, who after years of playing with some of the best tribute bands in NYC, decided he had enough and wanted to continue what he started with L.C. Freestyle--create and explore his own personal taste in music. He knew they had great synergy and something special was brewing in their music. So Patrick answered that ad and hoped against all odds that it was the Correy he was looking for; it was, and Clayy was born.
Correy’s musical journey didn’t start as a singer; he was a drummer. Under the instruction and watchful eye of his father, who saw great potential in the 2 year old, and instilled in him the love of music and the work ethics of a mad-scientist, Correy grew up to be a power house drummer. At the age of 17, he left his sunny environs of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and moved to NYC. Once there, he studied with world-known drummers such as Max Roach, jazz; Dennis Chambers, funk fusion; and Dave Gibson, hip-hop/funk/jazz. He soon developed a reputation as the hardest working drummer in town; playing with various bands: Signal 7, The Untouchables, TUT, Gas, Weedkiller, YO-YA, solo artist Tian and Grid. He was mature beyond his age; yet, because of his tender age he was affectionately known as LC-Little Correy. He later had the distinction of playing the Madison Square Garden during the Knicks’ half-time with his former band Smoking Buddha. But before putting his sticks away, in 2001, he found himself as the main drummer in Cee-lo’s Closet Freak video. He soon realized, however, that he had more to offer the world of rock —as a singer/songwriter.
Patrick on the other hand has always been loyal to this first love—the guitar. At the age of 11, when his entire family relocated to Bakersfield, Ca. from NYC, he picked up his first guitar. Finding himself far away from his home, he picked up the guitar more as a form of solace than a great way of meeting girls. He immersed himself into his study of the guitar and on the way he discovered punk rock music. The guitar and music became his sole/soul salvation. At 16, he moved back to NYC to pursue his career in music. Apart from playing with some of NYC best tribute bands, Patrick also played with Echo 3 and Newborn Kings. But once his path crossed Correy’s again, their fate was sealed. And now, together, these two have become a powerful force to be reckoned with. Their contribution to the world of rock has begun. They are Clayy.