Information About this Event
Michael Falzarano - guitar / vocals (NRPS, Hot Tuna, The Airplane Family)
Barry Mitterhoff - Mandolin, vocals (Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen, Silk City)
Rob Wolfson- guitar / vocals (Illuminati, Wetlands All-Stars)
Frank Canino - bass / vocals (Joe Cocker, Ben E. King, Ray Charles)
Dead Sage explores music of the Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Band, Hot Tuna and other classics of the genre from a rockin’ blues perspective, along with originals steeped in old-school soul & craftsmanship.
The roots of the Cosmic American Derelicts lie in the haze of yester-year. The year was 1972 and on a hot May 17th day Eddie Rainey was born. He picked up the guitar at the age of 3 and never looked back. As Eddie grew he was greatly influenced by his father Rich, who was a singer/banjo picker. Rich would have jam sessions at the house and Eddie would be encouraged to sing and play along. His dad took him to many Bluegrass Festivals where he had the opportunity to see many greats including, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Bros, and Ricky Skaggs. He gradually went from country, bluegrass into Rock-n-Roll. By the time he was a teenager he had also acquired a taste for Randy Rhodes, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, and of course Van Halen. In High School he met up with future founding Derelict singer/songwriter Brian Murray and played in a string of high school bands: Flight, Back Talk and Naked Babies. They had definitely hit on a major vibe, one, which held sway for roughly 15yrs.
Eddie was always humble and unassuming and willing to help out other players. One of which was future founding member & bassist George Kapitanellis, their musical relationship goes back to 10th grade Algebra, discussing who's better Zeppelin or Van Halen. .... George picked up the bass at the age of 16.
George was a Rock-n-Roll freak, groovin to the sounds of Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream, Floyd, The Dead, Black Sabbath and all that good ol' Lsd stuff. He knew there was no other life but Rock-n-Roll. George played in lots of bands throughout the 90's (some with future members Galinos Kapitanellis, Sotiri Karlis, and Mike Corr), after many projects, (Mystic Caravan, Digger Blues Band, Head Stash) and heartbreaks George auditioned for The Bleeding Hearts, a rock band out of NYC. He auditioned and was accepted.
The band also included another future member singer/songwriter Joe Wilkinson. The Bleeding Hearts were Joe's project and featured many great sessions players over their 3yrs of playing. (Feb 96)
Joe was a child of the 70's and picked up the ax at the age of 12, and was hugely influence by Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Foghat, Yes, Krimson and Deep Purple. He also fell in love with the blues. Joe grew up in Poughkeipse NY and moved on down to NYC in 91. Beginning in Feb of '96, The Bleeding Hearts played throughout the tri-state area and had acquired quite the reputation as a heavy psychedelic blues band. Their following was quite sizable, which gave them the opportunity to record a self titled/self produced CD. Recorded at Mixolydian Studios in NJ. (1997)
In the meanwhile, Eddie had graduated from Berklee School of Music in Boston (95) and came back to Jersey to get his head straight. Once home he reconnected with old friend and collaborator Brian Murray, together with H.S. buddy and drummer Ronnie Moga. They wrote songs and put together a great band, Northern Comfort. Four part harmonies and lots of, magnificent playing.
These two bands were the genesis of things to come. .... The Comfort boys and Bleeding Hearts played a few gigs together and enjoyed many the late night jam sessions on old Terhune Street. After 2 years of non-stop playing, all seemed well. But as luck would have it the seas of change swept in and internal differences and personnel turn over got the better of both bands.
George, Brian and Mike Corr, after a few pints at the bar, decided to put together another project (April 98), it was the three of them and George's brother Galinos on drums, Sotiri was also added to play congas. The idea was to have a band, which featured lots of great guitar players and all styles of music. .... The band was christened The Derelicts, coined after Brian heard George make a casual remark about their always-rowdy drinking buddies. But even then the boys had their own bands to deal with. So at first the Derelicts were a band solely for the purpose of getting their rocks off. The first gig line up was George on bass, Brian singin and playin rhythm, Joe on guitar, Mike on guitar, Galinos drums and Sotiri on percussion and lots of Jack Daniels. The first few gig were a blast mixing in Brian originals with lots of obscure Dylan, C.C.R. and a mess of blues. By the third gig Eddie joined in and Mike dropped out that same summer '98.
The boys were on a roll. Playin in each other's bands and havin fun. .... By Jan of '98, a rift had developed within the Bleeding Hearts, and after their worst gig ever at Arlene Grocery the band broke up, leavin behind a lot of great songs and spirit. The Comfort boys were also going through a lot of shit, after their founding member, friend and drummer Ron Moga decided to leave the band, citing musical differences, soon after bassist Steve Gust started to flake out and not show up to gigs. Fortunately George had sat in and knew much of their sets. Still both bands were finished and Northern Comfort folded in early '98 as well.
The boys went headfirst into Derelict territory. By this time Galinos had to leave due to his day job. Joe got another gig and dropped out soon after. Sotiri jumped into the drummer chair and picked up the beat quite well, his main influence being the inimitable Keith Moon. He quickly mastered the two beat and was on his way to honky-tonk heaven, (March 99).
The Derelicts were a mix of Bluegrass, Honky-Tonk, Blues and Rock-n-roll. They gigged relentlessly in the ever-fickle tri-state club scene packin 'em in, but refusing to play hits. The were always playin off the cuff obscure Gram Parson's tunes and Savoy Brown, as well as playing and writing what was soon to become the Derelicts self-title debut. .... Brian was a rocker at heart but loved Honky-Tonk. He had written quite a few songs over the years, which reflected many styles, country, rock, ska, and acid rock, but had never recorded any.
So after lots of singin and playin , the boys went into the studio in the winter of 2000. By this time the boys had been informed as to a certain copyright infringement. It was addressed by a name change. The Cosmic American came about from their hero (Gram Parsons) description of Psychedelic Honky-Tonk music. Being huge Gram fans the Derelicts thought it a natural. .... The CD, recorded at Visionary studios in NJ and engineered by Tom Gioia, was independently released (Dec 2000) and sales were brisk in the following months. It captured their live sound and featured some great guitar playing and songwriting. But as cruel fate would have it Brian decided that he could not handle the chores of the band & husbandry. So he retired from the band and is still missed (July '01).
George called up old friend and ex-member Joe Wilkinson to see if he could help out and cover their gigs, which were already booked months in advance. Joe jumped on board and after a few stumbles and baby steps the band finally started hitting its stride once again by Jan 02'.
They played and wrote and played some more tunes, and after a tumultuous year and a half of playing, the band decided to part ways yet again with their singer. (Dec 02')
In the meantime George and Eddie formed another band with Louie Demayo on mandolin. The band Hillbilly Water played lots of gigs in NY and NJ. Also recording a 3-song demo at Chung King studios in NYC. Hillbilly Water came out of Eddie's passion for bluegrass and acoustic music. George jumped at the chance to get into another project and learn a new style. Lou D. joined on mandolin and vocals after a 5-year stint in Ed's dad's band Risky Business. In the 2 years of their existence the band also recruited fiddle player extraordinaire Nick Reeb. Nick was a country boy from Ohio, who also happened to be one of the best players around. He met the boys in a club in NYC and was recruited on the spot by Sotiri. His playing brought out a whole new energy in the band. They played many gigs around the area. A great up and coming bluegrass band, King Wilke, poached Nick. Off he went to greener pastures. The band carried on, but personal turmoil struck their fearless leader Louie D. and he bowed out in the summer of '04. He returned in the fall of '05 after successfully staving off throat cancer. The band recorded and released their debut CD, "Have a Drink," which was also recorded at Visionary studios in NJ. (April 07).
That year (Jan '03) the band recruited two great musical talents; Jamaican born Latoya Williams who handled all of the singing chores and songwriter/guitar Danny Pavas another Bergenfield native. Both are hugely talented individuals. Latoya's voice full of power and blues, and Danny's writing style complimented the ever-expanding sound of The Derelicts. Bringing them into a more R&B, soulful vibe. They performed for lots of lovin fans for over 9 months but personal turmoil and tensions led Latoya to quit the band in Nov. '03. Danny also split because of tensions in the band.
Without a singer, The Derelicts decided to lay low for the winter, they wrote, rehearsed and as luck would have it, Latoya and Danny re-entered the picture in April of '04. They played for a bit and after some heated discussions Danny split for his own gig. Danny then formed another project "Honey King." Who are currently working on finishing their debut album (2010 release).
The Derelicts then continued as a four piece and began work on their 2nd album (Dec'04). "The Product" was recorded at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in NYC. Jimi's home. Truly a dream come true. It was a great experience for the band and they loved every minute. Chris Petro engineered and helped produce "The Product." Joe Wilkinson, who had reconnected with the boys, contributed 3 originals as well as singing a Savoy Brown cover tune "Taste & Try." Latoya helped write 2 songs and contributed her vocals to a killer cover of Terry Reid's "Super Lungs," as well as George's "Whore Girl." The Derelicts also recorded two country instrumentals. Both Latoya and Joe Wilkinson departed shortly after due to stress and previous obligations.
As luck would have it good friend and singer/guitarist Scott Lauro from NY's Little Rusty, started hanging out and pickin with the band (Jan 06). Scotty was a friend of George's from upstate who would come out to see the band from time to time. He was a big admirer of the band and Eddie's guitar work. Within a month he was in the band and singin like a son of a bitch. Playin many gigs and collaborating with the Derelicts on songs, which would eventually be recorded on their third album "Songs From The Homestead."
The Derelicts continued there on again off again collaboration with songwriter Joe Wilkinson. Playing a few gigs in San Diego Ca. and finally bringing their sound to the west coast, in late Sept. (06). The trip was a gas.
The Cosmic American Derelicts then started on their 3rd CD, "Songs from the Homestead" (Jan '07) and finished it in (Dec '07). The songs were written by the band over the course of two years and recorded at their house in NJ. The band wanted a less produced sound for their new songs. The last studio sessions at Electric Lady Studios were great, but the band felt like they went a bit too far with the over dubs and tracking. The Product was the first album the band did which used a horn section and piano/organ & percussion. The Derelicts felt that the new tunes were down home numbers that didn't require all the major studio razzle-dazzle, and seeing that George had acquired so much vintage gear over the years they decided that their place was the only studio to do it in. Once again teaming up with engineer/producer Chris Petro. The band went into the studio and in only 7 sessions the main body of tracks was done. Lots of acoustic instruments and grooves. The band released "Songs from The Homestead" in Feb of 2008. They received great press for the record, both here and abroad.
Cosmic American Derelicts have begun to write more songs, which will be recorded sometime within the next two years. The Derelicts have added Rob Clores on piano/organ, (Nov '07). Rob is a great talent who has played with many greats. Rob has contributed his talent to three songs, which appear on "Songs From The Homestead" as well as two songs on "The Product."
In the spring of 2008 Cosmic American Derelicts were asked to back up the legendary singer/songwriter Terry Reid on his UK tour. The tour was great (many great revues and accolades). They continue working with Terry to this day. In January of 2009 Terry cut two tracks for the upcoming George Kapitanellis and Danny Pavas side project "TruBlue." The album "Smells Like Music" features Scott Lauro, Ed Rainey and Rob Clores from the Derelicts as well as some great NJ/NY session players. “Smells Like Music” released in Dec 2009.
The Cosmic American Derelicts have opened for and played with many great artists which include: Terry Reid, Mick Taylor, Max Middleton, Buddy Miles, Peter Jay, Tony Triscka, Jay Black, Levon Helm & Rick Danko, The Kentucky Headhunters, Derek Trucks, Vasser Clements, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, The Del McCoury Band, and Peter Rowan...just to name a few.
