A Triple Shot of Rock-n-Roll
Trash Bar
Brooklyn, NY Jan. 2010
By Cary Doll
(SugarBuzz CT, NYC)
SugarBuzz Magazine
A Triple Shot of Rock-n-Roll:
Cary Doll reviews NY Junk /La Dolce Vita, and Steve Conte & The Crazy Truth
@ Trash Bar in Brooklyn, NY Jan. 2010
New York Junk
New York Junk consists of a half New York City/ half Canadian combination. Joe Sztabnik on vocals/ guitar, and Gary Barnett on drums (the New York part) , with Cynthia 
Ross on bass, plus new member Alex on keyboards and harmonica ( from Toronto, Canada). Using Skype, they communicate with their music between the two cities. They invited me to see them at Trash Bar in Brooklyn, and I’m glad I made the trip. It was even Cynthia’s birthday that day so I wished her a Happy Birthday.
New York Junk has style, presence and really good music. “Out of Control” was especially enjoyable and featured Alex on harmonica.[ I love harmonica.] The band it should be noted was plugged by both Michael Imperioli (who played that night with La Dolce Vita) and Steve Conte (who also played later that evening, with his band the Crazy Truth), both of whom proudly sported New York Junk t-shirts [I want one of your t-shirts guys!! Next time!] They also played a song they wrote called “Thunder” , a moving tribute to Johnny Thunders in which Joe sings “he broke our heart’….and a bit later… ‘he took a little ride on the subway train…” The band made me feel welcome, were a lot of fun to talk with, and were even more fun to listen to. Keep up the great work!
http://www.myspace.com/newyorkjunk
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita have played a few dates around NYC in the past year or so. Having seen them before several times, I am growing more and more fond of them! They just keep getting better and better, like a fine wine.
This time around, the band had some technical sound difficulties onstage at the beginning when the mic cut out- …and Michael joked “We’re taking up a collection for the electric bill”…but thankfully they were back in action fairly quickly. With Michael Imperioli on vocals and guitar, Elijah Amitin on bass, and Olmo Tighe on drums, the band imparted a dynamic beat and rhythm, which along with Michael’s vocals, melded into a sexy rock groove that could seduce you in a New York minute (or two). In particular, I especially liked the song “Last Intention”, but their music was all very impressive. Their set of approximately a half-dozen original songs went by way too quickly for my liking, and I hope to hear more from them in time. Michael has a busy schedule as you know with acting, and his latest role in “The Lovely Bones” made its film premiere that very same day in theaters nationwide.
Unfortunately my camera’s battery died just before Michael went onstage, so I will have to use some pics I took of Michael last time with his band from another time. Although there is little written about this band to date, we will hopefully be hearing a lot more from them in the future! Here is video with their music since they don’t appear to have a MySpace page yet.
Steve Conte and the Crazy Truth
Note to Steve:
Ok, I’m sorry that I couldn’t stay for your ‘whole set’. Really I am! It couldn’t be helped. And to top it off, my camera battery died early on. I heard the first few
songs like “Strumpet-Hearted Monkey Girl”, “Get Off”, and “Texas T” but then I had to leave to make my train, much to my dismay…. But I know that you put on a set that “killed” and know that I wish I could have stayed to see it all, especially as I understand you dedicated a song to me that night!
Steve also performed a song with The Cringe, Michael Cusimano’s band, earlier in the evening. The crowd at Trash Bar loved Steve & band. Everyone who comes to see the Crazy Truth loves them, and you will too. Steve Conte & The Crazy Truth consists of Steve Conte on main vocals and guitar, Lee a/k/a “Leeko” Kosinsky on bass, and Phil Stewart on drums. Together they make up The Crazy Truth. Imagine for a moment a sexy, straight-on rock ‘n’ roll sound which hits your brain like a subway train and derails right at your heart. They have the look, they have the sound, and the talent to go places… big places……in a ‘gypsy cab’, of course! For more, check out their videos on You Tube, or their MySpace page. Or buy their self-titled cd.