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Let’s Rock America is growing by leaps and bounds because you want us to…we will never let you down. You tell us to jump and we say “you mean right now?” You told us you want to HEAR and not just READ stuff…O.K. You’re like…“We want to get our hands on some of this great music and not fumble from one website to the other”… YOU GOT IT. One of you sent a scathing email about wanting to experiencing some video on the site…we cried UNCLE!!!!! It’s all for you!!! YOU ARE EMPOWERED! We welcome comments and suggestions. We have forums you can post on. If you want to sell some moth eaten harmonica laced with your own spit on LRA…WE DON’T GIVE A SHIT! (however, yours truly is seeking a ’67 Strat at a reasonable price AND I WON’T ENTER ANOTHER EBAY AUCTION BECAUSE THEY GET WAY OVERPRICED NOW-A-DAYS!!!!! And I’m cheap!) Enough self promoting at this point. Splooge is a Northern New Jersey based Rock band with some very impressive notches under their belts. The band has been playing together for several years and has produced some very impressive recordings. On merit alone (and knowing someone in the business), they had a documentary film maker follow them around for several months while they did the stuff that makes Rock Stars famous. Let’s Rock America had the ultimate privilege of experiencing these rockers live at Crossroads during their “Breakfast Show” on Mother’s Day morning (after midnight) on May 14th. This show and this band has become a milestone for LRA. We FINALLY get to review a band in addition to spotlighting them! The Crossroads
is a great place to bring a bunch of friends, experience great live
music and eat some really excellent Cajun style food! The highlight
of the night occurred on Mother’s Day morning (after 12 Midnight
when Splooge took the stage). The band is based in Northern New Jersey
and is made up of Lead Vocalist Tommy Diaz, Guitarist Mike Novy, Bassist
Jeff Phillips and Drummer Drew Koski. Over the passed 13 years, Splooge
has produced 3 Cds and has been followed by California Documentarian
Pete Ventrella. We had the opportunity to meet Splooge and check out
a really great live show. Vocalist Tom Diaz has a very upfront presence
on stage. His vocal range is impressively wide but what garnered our
attention most often, was his ability to mesmerize the crowd with
his enthusiasm and showmanship. Chuck Berry invented the duck walk
and Mick Jagger invented the…you know the…you’ve seen
it…the…Mick Jagger dance, like when he does a squat thrust
and then stands up like a peacock and tosses his head left to right…Tommy
has a presence all his own and his originality certainly fits in with
the attitude of the band! Mike Novy plays the guitar but unlike the
typical guitarist…Novy is almost playing the part of “quiet
background bass player” although he seems to have the genius
to pull in effects that make his six string Fender sound like everything
from an acoustic guitar and then all the way up to a synthesized grand
piano…you need to experience it in your face to truly appreciate
it! Drew Koski sits way way back behind the drums! Yet, if you tried
to drown out everything else in the set…you might be pleasantly
surprised by the testimonials of Splooge’s other band members…they
kid…but I seriously think Drew does write the songs…he certainly
drives them! I saved Jeff Phillips for last…not for any other
reason but because THIS DUDE ROCKS. Yeah, he should be in the background
playing one note, one string accompanies as evident from earlier standardized
bassists but the guy does some very effective rhythms, chording the
bass like it was a guitar and sings backing vocals that kick ass.
Phillips is like a Super Nova to the band…and very quick on the
draw with “in between crowd pleasing banter” and on this
night…most of which eluded to Mother’s Day. Splooge is a
lot of fun! Their individual personalities shine through at live shows,
but we also had the opportunity to listen to some of the recorded
music. Excellent hard biting rock with a mix of pop and very well
produced out of Third Studio From The Sun of Kenilworth New Jersey.
Stay tuned…we are working on giving you Splooge’s documentary
produced by Pete Ventrella. A teaser is just around the corner! Check
out Splooge’s song Wildebeest right here on Let’s Rock America
and send us some feedback. Splooge has three records under their belts at the moment. Let’s Rock America has chosen them to be our debut for the LRA STORE. If you like what you read and want to hear more, you can purchase Splooges AUTOGRAPHED discs right here on Let’s Rock America, as our store is scheduled to open any day now. Listen to their song WILDEBEAST and enjoy all that is to be offered on letsrockamerica.com.
YEAH YEAH YEAH…we are not done. OF COURSE! We also have the EXCLUSIVE LRA interview with all four members of the band:
Let’s Rock America: Splooge was conceptualized back in 1993 and the current lineup was formulated in 1998. How did all of you meet? Who came up with the Name Splooge and how did that come about?
Mike Novy: Lets see, to quote a book I once read- In the beginning there was SPLOOGE -- well that's not entirely true, (I mean the part about me reading a book.) Actually, in the beginning there was Charlie Browns Restaurant. That's where I was working with Bruce Day and Tom Diaz. Tom and Bruce knew each other from school. I, on the other hand, was just schlepping drinks. One day Tom and Bruce were overheard talking about starting a band and I was just a guitar player eavesdropping. We found a drummer and that was the start. Drew came in after the drummer got injured. Jeff hopped in after our second bass player left. (Just to cover myself, Tom was mostly responsible for those last two moves.) The name, as I came to understand, was drawn up by Bruce, daydreaming in class. Apparently, Tom said the word, back when it meant nothing, in an under-the-influence rehearsal. Drew Koski: I met Tommy at Charlie Browns while he was a bartender there. Tommy was friends with Mike. I met Jeff in 1987 through a friend. Apparently Tommy came up with the name Splooge. Jeff Phillips: I was the last to join the band. I met Tommy, at a local bar, while wupping his ass in a friendly game of pool. We got to talking and discovered that we were both musicians. We both had upcoming shows at Kenny's Castaways in NYC and promised to see each other's show. That was my first Splooge experience and Tommy reciprocated by coming to see my band, Moe Green, a week later. I did a couple sound gigs for them and joined the madness after there bass player left the band. I have no idea how they came up with the name, but it works for me. Tom Diaz: Mike and I met while bartending together. Drew was a cheap bar customer who never tipped and I met Jeff at a bar playing pool. I kicked his ass all night long. It was actually an original member of Splooge, my childhood friend, the reason I got into music in the first place, Bruce Day. He coined the name, Splooge. It happened after I had used the word in a sentence to describe dried blood that had been left on his bass guitar from the previous practice.
LRA: Splooge has played some very impressive New York/New Jersey venues. Which gig was the most memorable for each of you so far? Where would you like to play? Be realistic!
Mike: Yes, Splooge has played some great shows and some great venues in the tri-state area and elsewhere. I think every show, whether large or small, is special. We've had some great times playing in front of only a few people. Certainly the more the merrier, but the memories come from the joy of entertaining and the feedback from the crowd, no matter the size. I guess one of the memories that sticks out would be our first CD release party. It was just a great night of playing & partying with a few hundred of our earliest, and still loyal, fans. Being from this area, what musician wouldn't want to rock out at. The Garden! But back in the day the place to be would have been the Filmore East. I like venues like Hammerstein and the Beacon Theatre. They are big enough for a good jam and small enough to be intimate.
Drew: The first gig we played at Maxwells in Hoboken was the most memorable. We had a lot of fans show up and we rocked the house! The Starland Ballroom is a venue I'd like to play...or MSG!!! Jeff: Opening for the Smithereens at Double D's was definitely a highlight for me. I brought my old Smithereens Albums and had them signed. Then the bass player got all pissed because he didn't realize we were filming the whole thing. I would love to play Irving Plaza. I've always enjoyed seeing shows there. It's the perfect size venue. Tom: We played a show in Hoboken at a club called Maxwell's. The place was packed and the room was great. We rocked! Madison Square Garden, after all it is the worlds most famous arena.
LRA: I'm going to get to the Ireland Tour in a moment. Has Splooge left their "Splooge Mark" anywhere else outside of the tri-state area?
Mike: If I remember correctly, I think Jeff left his mark in Virginia Beach (along with Drew’s blistered feet!) Drew: No. Jeff: We played Virginia Beach. I think that was the first road trip for Splooge. I discovered that Novy snored like a fucking chainsaw. Who needs sleep anyway? Tom: We played Virginia Beach and showed them what Jersey Rock and Roll is all about. But more importantly Drew learned an important lesson about "getting blisters on your feet."
LRA: So Splooge did 9 shows in Ireland. How did that come about and what was it like?
Mike: Ah Ireland, what a great time-- I think? (much Guinness, rather hazy) Tom got the ball rolling a couple of years earlier whilst visting the Emerald Isle. He met a promoter and kept in touch with him. Then, thru other contacts. he set up a trip while Pete Ventrella (famed writer/director/documentarian) was in the middle of filming. The film certainly had some impact on the decision to go, but was not the deciding factor. It was just a great time to do the trip. There was some interest over there, we had a film crew following, what better to create a buzz. The trip was a great experience for the feeling of being on the road. From the bookings to the logistics of housing to shipping equipment. The days were spent planning for the nights performance and making new contacts, and the nights were spent playing and/or traveling. Not most peoples idea of a getaway, but I wouldn't of had it any other way or with any other group of people, for that matter!! While certainly stressful at times (this coming from the chauffer for the trip), it always-- ALWAYS-- came together in the performance. Sometimes the tension even made for a more rockin' show! Then we'd all enjoy a pint and laugh. Drew: Tommy booked all the gigs through an agent in Ireland and I was just along for the ride. It was a "rush" to have the Irish people appreciate our music the way that they did. They were very hospitable and treated us like rock stars! Jeff: Ireland was, as Dubliner's would say, Fukin’ Deadly!! I raided the bar and taunted the flight attendant on the plane over, got drunk almost every night, puked a bit, played some great shows, met some great people ... Fukin’ Brilliant!! Tom: I had been to Ireland before and thought that SPLOOGE and Ireland would be great together. With that said, I got in touch with a few promoters there and started making calls, without too much success. Our big break came through one of the bartending jobs I had. I had a bar regular, Barry and his nephew Keith Elliot, both of whom were from Ireland. They had some connections and the next thing you know, we had nine shows lined up.
LRA: Three records under your belts now. Who writes the material? Before heading into the studio, did Splooge have alot of other tunes to pick and choose from or did you just write material for the records?
Mike: The material in the beginning was mostly Tom and myself. But as SPLOOGE has evolved, so has it become more of a democratic society. We tend to just throw out ideas at rehearsal, mostly non-preconceived notions. Usually begins with myself or Jeff noodling around with an idea and Tom sitting on the couch with the signs of smoke coming out of his head, thinking. Drew is usually wandering about at this time. When he finally sits, and the vibe is flowing, we just start to bang out songs. As in all un-harnessed powers, the music may come together instantaneously or over several beatings-- I mean meetings!! We usually write more than we need. But the time spent playing, up until the recording, allows the cream to rise. Those we feel do not have the potential, or are incomplete, are put on the back burner and occasionally revisited later. Drew: We all have a hand in writing the material for the songs. We each do our own parts. We have plenty of material to choose from but the newer songs are the ones that will end up on the newer records(cd). Jeff: Tommy likes to say that our drummer writes it all. He charts all the music, writes the lyrics and figures the beat. Truth is ... I do!! Oh sure, Diaz may come up with a lyric or two but let's face it ... Splooge was crap before they were blessed with my presence! Tom: We all write the songs together. Everything is written on the spot with no preconceived ideas. Sometimes Mike and Jeff like to think they're more important in the writing than they really are. But the reality of it is, if it wasn't for Drew, Splooge would be nothing!! We just keep on writing and the songs that we enjoy playing most are the ones that end up on the recordings.
LRA: Tell us about each of you. Who were your influences and what drives you to make music? Feel free to tell us anything you want the masses to know about you individually.
Tom Diaz (Vocals): My influences are pretty much anything that I've ever listened to and enjoyed. That would include T.V. jingles, church hymns and show tunes. Well, maybe not show tunes, but you get the gist. I live a great life. I have a beautiful girlfriend, a loving family and I'm in the best band in the world. Hopefully, someday the rest of the world will get the joke too. But until then, it's alright we'll just keep on laughing amongst ourselves!! Mike
Novy
(Guitars): My biggerst influences, in both life and love of music,
would have to be my parents. My mother received a music degree from
Duquesne University (where she met my father.) My father was a pianist
from a very early age. I guess that’s where the ear and feel
comes from. They had us (siblings) playing at an early age. I guess
I started piano around 8 or 9 years old. Although, I can always remember
being enamored by the look and sound of the guitar. Something about
the guitar was so alluring, so sexy. Musical influences are varied.
Mostly rock and blues. From Led Zeppelin to Stones to Stevie Ray Vaughn
all the way back to Robert Johnson. I'll listen to just about anything
and try to take something away from the music. I just couldn't imagine
life without music. Which is why I feel so strongly about music education
in our schools-- children need to be exposed to that experience as
early as possible. It is a shame that it is always the first thing
cut from a curriculum! Jeff Phillips (Bass): Jeff Phillips will play music until he dies. I've been playing since the Band Fag days of Grammar School. I can't even begin naming my influences. Take a look at me record collection and you try to figure it out. Hopefully there's enough different influences that Splooge doesn't sound like anyone else.
LRA: Can we expect any surprises at your live shows...any covers or is it all 100% original?
Mike: Depending on the length of the show, usually all originals. Although, we like to mix it up a little now and then with some covers. Just to keep you on your toes. Drew: There could possibly be a cover or two in our shows...but I’m not revealing that information! Most of our stuff is original. Jeff: We'll bust out the occasional cover. It all depends on the crowd. We aims to please. Tom: We throw in the occasional cover. We don't like to bore with only Splooge tunes!!
LRA: We understand that a documentarian has been following the band around for over three years. How did that come about and what is the theme behind the documentary? When can we expect to see the video?
Mike: The film connection comes from Drew (see, I knew if we kept him around long enough he would prove useful!) He met up with an old friend, Pete Ventrella, and explained what we were up to. From there it was pretty much Pete’s baby. There have been varying themes to the film/documentary, so you would have to check with Pete. We keep hearing it is coming out in 2005, I mean 2006, I mean.....Again I digress to Pete. See the video? Drew: I met Pete(the documentarian) in the church choir when we were younger. Years later, I saw him out one night and told him about Splooge. He is a filmmaker/writer and was interested in what I had told him and liked our music so he wanted to follow us around and make a documentary. I believe the theme is about the determination and drive of an older band. Jeff: I haven't a clue. I just hope when it does come out that we don't come across as a bunch of morons ... goofballs? Yes. Tom: Drew could probably tell that story best. Personally, I think Pete is extremely bored or just outright insane. That's alright, I like him anyway. He has become a good friend and lots of help, as far as Splooge is concerned. As for the video, I have no idea. It is Pete's baby, we are just the eye candy!!
LRA: Tell us how we can find out more about Splooge and where can we get your records?
Mike: Sploogemusic.com my friend. While I am still working on some upgrades, the contact info is on the site. We have some work to do to finish myspace site. CD's are available at the shows, so you'll have to show up there. We are starting something with CDBaby and perhaps yourself. I will soon have that info on contact page with links. Drew: Sploogemusic.com Jeff: Come out and see us. Hell, we'll give you a record. Tom:
Come out to our shows, we usually have a question & answer segment
during each show. As far as purchasing CD's, you can obtain them through
our website, Sploogemusic.com,
or even better, buy them through the greatest internet magazine going,
Let's Rock America.com!!
(LRA Store opening soon!) If
you wish to contact or find out more about Splooge, visit Sploogemusic.com. Report
an outstanding band or musician to rkubicz@letsrockamerica.com |
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