"Hot enuff fer ya?" asked the grizzled old coot we walked into our favorite musical instrument store. After we got done removing our size 11 foot from his gray, dry ass – he also was screaming as us that it was "too early in the morning for ice cream!" so trust us, he deserved it – we compiled this edition of Electric Avenue, the column where we take a look inside the walls of the region's music stores and repair emporiums. Despite the balmy temps of late, musicians seem to be gearing up for both big outdoor shows and serious recording projects.
One of our favorite musicians, "Super" Dave Patrick, is a bassist of renown in the South Shore area. He's been a longtime regular at Michael's Music in Freeport, the venerable music store operated by a fellow musician in jazz and blues guitarist Mike Barnett. These days, Patrick hosts a popular weekly jam at Reflection's in Rockville Centre with guitarist Donnie Celenza. For more information on Michael's Music, log on to their website at michaelsmusic.com. Patrick is also the proprietor of Star Records & Productions in Freeport.
Dan at Pedal GEEK in New Hyde Park – as well as the national pedal and guitar website PedalGEEK.com – in the recent past has reported sales to a shockingly high caliber of national recording artists, such as superstar drummer Will Calhoun and Terry Balsamo of Evanescence. For more on PedalGEEK.com, log on to … of course … PedalGEEK.com.
Commack Guitars is still celebrating its grand opening. The store, located at 203 Commack Road, buys, sells, and trades new and vintage guitars and offers full guitar and amp repair. For more information on Commack Guitars, call (631) 462-3500.
The Original Long Island Drum Center, located in Plainview, offers more clinics and appearances by superstar percussionists than anyone we can think of – even in Manhattan. In May, the "original" LIDC was the first stop of Zildjian artist Cindy Blackman's spring 2007 clinic tour. Owner Dennis Ricci hosted the event as part of the store's 30th anniversary celebration. This clinic, which also featured Zildjian representative Al Marinaro, sold out as about 100 people attended. Blackman performed a half-hour long drum solo performance, and then engaged with a question and answer session with the fans. For more on the LIDC, log on to lidrum.com.
Paul Lanzetta and Dianne Indiviglia of East Rockaway Music continue to host the popular Tuesday night open mic events at Rockaway Café/Diya Lounge. Dianne of East Rockaway Music reported that the band known as Mainstreet – consisting of the owners and Paul Lanzetta Jr. – is performing "a lot of summer gigs in the area, at venues including The Fishery in East Rockaway and The Porthole."
Dianne reported that East Rockaway Music has been "very busy with guitar repairs." Paul Lanzetta has been doing guitar work for Tommy Burns of Billy Joel's band. Also in have been Pat Devine, known as "Kongoose," long the percussionist for the band Frog, who came in for drum parts. Also, Jeff and Jake, of the band Romantic Suicide, stopped by to purchase guitars and amps. For more information on East Rockaway Music, call (516) 599-6693.
With the vast array of talent that resides in Long Island and Queens, you never know which musicians may show up at your favorite music shop. If you see or hear of any interesting appearances near you – or if you're a music store owner, proprietor, or employee with some hot news – make sure to contact Good Times to get on Electric Avenue. Drop us a line at gtmag@optonline.net, or call us at (516) 827-4145. Remember, if it's going on in area music, we want to know about it – and so do our readers.
