IF YOU FOUND YOURSELF AT A VIDEO ARCADE IN THE 1980′S (NATHAN’S IN OCEANSIDE COMES TO MIND), OR AT DARE STUDIOS IN THE 1990′S, THEN YOU’RE CERTAINLY NO STRANGER TO THE AWESOMENESS THAT WAS GAUNTLET.

NO POWER-UPS, JUST PURE QUARTER-PUMPING ASS-KICKERY.

IT GIVES US GREAT PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THE COMING OF “GAUNTLET: THE ROCK OPERA”!

COMING SOON TO AN MP3 PLAYER NEAR YOU!

THIS VISIONARY CONCEPT ALBUM WILL FEATURE THE RHYTHM SECTION OF MIKE EPSTEIN AND JOHN NOVELLO, THE TASTY PIANO-PLAYING OF PAUL WEISS, THE GUITAR WINGMEN OF RUSS ROGERS AND JOHNNY COLA, AND THE VOCAL STYLINGS OF TIM EASY AND MARBLES MAHONEY.

YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE IT!  BESIDES, WHO DOESN’T LOVE SONGS ABOUT SHOOTING THE POTION, BEING “IT”, OR NEEDING FOOD BADLY?

RECORDING AT DARE STUDIOS BEGINS ON JUNE 9TH, AND IT WILL BE READY FOR YOU THIS SUMMER!

RESERVE YOUR COPY TODAY!  SHARE THE ADVENTURE!

WE ARE NOW WELL INTO OUR 2ND MONTH OF “DARE STUDIOS PRESENTS FLIGHT”.  22 SONGS FINISHED, WITH 17 REMAINING.

STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE “1874″, “1903″, “1918″, “1927″, AND “1935″.

PAUL GILMORE AND KRISTIAN RAIMO WILL JOIN US IN THE STUDIO FOR THE RECORDING OF DISC THREE.  WE’LL PERFORM SELECTIONS FROM THE FLIGHT PROJECT LIVE, DURING THE UPCOMING LONG ISLAND FRINGE FESTIVAL.  DATES/TIMES/LOCATIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.  EXCITING STUFF!  THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS WHO’VE BEEN ROOTING US ON!

Photo by Grace. Dare Studios, April 14th, 2012.

Hi everyone!

Yesterday was a great adventure at Dare Studios in Deer Park.  We began tracking a 13-song LP called The Air Age (in which we chronicle the saga of early manned flight, in our own special way.)

The idea came to us from something which Paul Gilmore had mentioned to me a few years back.  We’ve been given Paul’s blessing, we’ve been charged with a mission, and we’re really up to our ankles in it now.  Grace Sophia and Lori Ferrari we’re in great spirits, and helped set the tone for the day.  Mike Epstein was superhuman; playing bass while also engineering from the control room and eating from something which I could swear was a cereal bowl of Cocoa Pebbles.  It was a sight to behold.  Greg Frisina deftly handled the drumming, and he seemed to actually levitate above his drum kit during one song (I think it was “1874″; a song about Baron von Zeppelin.)

Rounding out the squadron:  Paul Weiss on piano, playing through the pain while making it rain.  Paul’s a cornerstone, and he’s been with us since as far back as I can really remember this band actually being a band.  His stylish piano playing was especially magical during “1903″; a song about Kitty Hawk and the Wright brothers.  Russ Rogers was full of surprises on guitar, as always; midi rig and spectral synth along for the ride.  Johnny Cola was the exploding rock of Gibraltar, holding it down on guitar while serving up the wild leads , delicious licks, and ebow fervor.

I feel happy, and honored, to know such affectionate kindred spirits.  ALL of the above, are a cut above.

Dare Studios presents:  FLIGHT

The Air Age is the first of three concept albums.  It will be followed by The Jet Age, to be concluded with The Space Age.  Music by Long Islanders for Long Islanders.

Thank yous:
Leonardo da Vinci for ideas and calculated fearlessness.  Evel Knievel for making me proud to be an American during the Carter administration.  Elvis Aaron Presley for teaching me more than he ever knew he did.  Frank Zappa for teaching me that the mind is like a parachute, and I’m sure you already know the rest of that story.  And, Dennis Wilson, thank you so much, man.  Don’t have to worry, don’t have to be afraid, it’s allright, it’s allright, it’s allright.  Jess Katz for inspiration and love, from both near and afar.  Barbara Adams for life and everlasting admiration.  Erin Kelly for being the best sister ever (and the most talented artist in our family.)  Laura Sienkiewicz for the light, the sun, the clouds, the moon, and the stars above on a clear night.  Jason Alvino for introducing me to Dare Studios in 1992.  And the beat goes on . . .

Q:  What’s your favorite memory from performing on stage with the The Suck It Easy Band?
A:  Unity through the power of music.

Q:  Where’s your favorite place in America, and why?
A:  Los Angeles, California.  Everything (but the pizza) is better there.

Q:  What are you making for dinner tonight?
A:  Something that is easy on my sore throat.

Q:  What is your favorite Queen song?
A:  One Year Of Love.

Q:  A stranger hands you $11,000.00 in cash.  What do you do?
A:  Buy my parents and brother whatever they want.

Q:  You’re a featured guest on the Conan O’Brien show next week.  What will you wear?
A:  All black like I do every day.

Q:  What would you like to see The Suck It Easy Band do next?
A:  A Rock N Roll Costume party!

Q:  What’s your favorite memory from performing on stage at the Long Island Fringe Festivals with the The Suck It Easy Band?
A:  Seeing the smile on Tim Easy’s face when I signed Blackbird.

Q:  What is your favorite crayon color?
A:  Electric Lime.

Q:  What’s your favoprite Easyboat memory?
A:  Almost beating TJ in Beerios.  He got me by 3 cheerios.

Q:  What is your favorite thing about Long Island?
A:  Jumping on the LIRR to go to the city.

Q:  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
A:  Rocky Road, son.

Q:  Who is your number one rock-n-roll hero?
A:  She’s not a rock and roll hero, but Lady GaGa (and Britney Spears).

Q:  What would you like to see The Suck It Easy Band do next?
A:  Christmas show!!!!