It was an evening of brotherly music at The Stone Church when two regional sextets anchored by a pair of siblings took the stage in Newmarket. Portland’s The Mallett Brothers Band, led by Luke and Will Mallett, followed Boston’s Brothers McCann, helmed by Pat and Mike McCann, on Thursday, Jan. 13.

Luke and Will are the sons of celebrated folk singer-songwriter David Mallett, whose famed “Garden Song” has been covered by John Denver, Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. But the brothers have been making waves with their own six-piece band after releasing their eponymous debut album in 2010. It’s been a mainstay of the Bull Moose charts for several months running, and their gig on Zion Hill showed why. 

The Mallett Brothers Band offers an invigorated alt-country sound that sonically conveys their upbringing in rural Maine. They’re proud of their local heritage, and the Pine Tree State should be equally proud to call them residents. Put simply, this is a damn good band, one of the best to come out of Portland in recent years. And, like most good bands, they ought to be heard live and in the flesh.

Brothers McCann are no slouches, either, and they proved an apt pairing for The Mallett Brothers in their opening slot. Keyboardist Pat and rhythm guitarist Mike are both seriously gifted singers, Pat offering a funk-laden lilt that brings to mind Jamiroquai, and Mike issuing a raspier but equally soulful vocal.

Lead guitarist Erik White also occasionally chimes in on vocals, while Dan Bissex plays bass and Eran Shaysh mans the drum kit. The group also brought a saxophone player to the show in Newmarket. The entire band exhibited an infectious exuberance, joking and bantering between songs and dancing through their own music despite a discouragingly meager crowd at The Church.

Brothers McCann’s sound is eclectic, as indicated by the title of their debut album, “Different Colors.” Strains of everyone from Steely Dan to Stevie Wonder can be heard in their soulful songs, which are often marked by jubilantly jammy solos. Their set was charged with enthusiasm, coursing through their instruments and vocals.

The Mallett Brothers, by comparison, have a more definable Americana sound, albeit one they’ve cultivated to a point of ownership. The red-headed, red-bearded Mallett boys have a commanding stage presence, both wielding acoustic guitars and alternating on vocals. They complement each other deftly, Will showcasing a smooth folk voice, and Luke offering a deeper, gruffer intonation that wisps of Gregg Allman (of yet another accomplished band of brothers).

The group features two other skilled string players, with Nate Soule playing electric guitars and mandolin, and Wally Wetzel bringing the twang on dobro and guitar. Rounding out the group are Nick Leen on bass and Brian Higgins on drums. Together, they achieve a sound that invokes the country grit of Merle Haggard, the folk horse-sense of Steve Earle, and the rootsy bluegrass of Del McCoury, all with their own distinct family stamp. 

At The Church, the band performed many songs from their recent CD, and they invariably sounded even stronger in the live setting. They also played a smattering of new tunes, building anticipation for the next Mallett release.

An early hit in Newmarket was “F-150,” a fast-paced rockabilly romp that demonstrates the band’s rural pride. “We take our trucks seriously up there in Maine,” Luke explained. The theme emerged again later in the night with a new number called “Mudding,” a good-times song about drinkin’, smokin’ and off-roadin’ that proved equally popular with the local crowd.

Another early song in the set was “Last Man Standing,” one of the finest tracks on the self-titled CD. It’s a defiant country-rock song with swagger, rooted around a Wild West guitar riff that would fit easily into a vintage Clint Eastwood flick.  

“I’m gonna be the last man standing / Ain’t nobody ever gonna fill my shoes,” the brothers sang in harmony. 

The band members varied their tempo with some slower ballads, including “Watch You Walk Away,” which they introduced as “one of those reverse country love songs.” As they launched into “Emily,” though, they picked up the pace and invited the guys to pull their gals on the dance floor. A handful of attendees obliged, enjoying unaccompanied solos by Leen and Higgins.

A couple of newer songs followed, along with a fitting cover of Waylon Jennings’ “I’ve Been a Long Time Leaving.” After “Mudding,” the band returned to the CD for a rendition of “Carolanne,” one of several songs they claim, with tongue in cheek, are named after women they’re not really about.

All the instrumentalists in the band are proficient, especially Soule and Wetzel, who bookended the stage at The Church. And the Mallett brothers are talented songwriters, offering a rustic take on life in New England’s northernmost state. While we tend to associate country music with the arid Southwest, The Mallett Brothers Band has established a fresh new brand that blends indie rock with traditional folk. And they rise to the occasion of playing live, delivering songs full of fire and mud.

As an endnote, it was a bit disappointing to see such sparse turnout at such a great show. True, it was a cold weeknight, and the music stretched well past midnight, but it was worth going out and staying up for. Before bemoaning the paucity of true music venues in the area, locals should get out and take advantage of the clubs that regularly host live bands. There’s almost always a show worth checking out.