* New Compilation CD*

Carl Restivo, Pilot Round the Sun, Cordalene, Breaking Pangaea and LaGuardia were selected to perform as part of the ASCAP Presents… Heineken Ampt Music Series. The showcase took place at Grape Street Pub on November 14, 2002. The Heineken Ampt/ASCAP Recognition Award was presented to Dan Fein, Music Director of Philadelphia’s rock station, Y.100, for his contribution to the local music scene.

It’s all about the music. That’s the way it has always been for Carl Restivo...with one exception. For the first time Carl is building his own brand. After recording and producing for the last five years, Carl Restivo has finally set out on the journey of developing his solo joint and all we can say is: get ready to rock!

There are a lot of acts out there than can make great studio sounds or perform well live. However, no one blends the two better than Carl Restivo. Take Lenny Kravitz and throw in a little Black Crowes, Kid Rock, Guns and Roses…you see where I’m going? Carol Restivo’s music is anchored in a mix of driving rock beats and tireless vocals. There’s a little street edge as well that helps Carl connect on today’s terms.

Carl and his band are playing live throughout the New York area and are beginning to generate major recognition. He was recently featured on New York’s only Classic Rock Station, Q104.3 during their top rated new music showcase called “Out of the Box”. The host, Jonathan Clarke, described Carl as “one of the hottest new local acts in years.”

Pilot Round The Sun embodies a unique duality of pure rock fury and sweet soothing soul. The band, based in Philadelphia, has been crafting their sound for just over two years. In April 2001, together just nine months, they released their first recording: a six song, self titled EP. Although initially released independently, the band was scooped up by Philly based creep records and the EP was re-released. With the gathering interest in their intense live shows and the success of the EP, a full length was recorded in fall 2001 and released on February 22, 2002.

Since the release of their LP, PRTS has been both immersing itself in the Philly scene and rigorously touring the east coast, from New England to New Orleans, including a stop at the Camden Tweeter Center as part of WPLY Philadelphia’s “Feztival.” Pilot's newest recording, Hit's like the Gospel, is set for release on November 19, 2002 and will be supported by a rigorous touring schedule through 2003, including a showcase at the 2002 CMJ conference in New York City.

Cordalene is one of the most exciting new bands to come out of Philadelphia in a long time. Since the four members got together in early 2002, they have already gigged with Weezer, Dashboard Confessional, Sloan, Ultimate Fakebook, My Morning Jacket, Marah, and others - in front of crowds up to 10,000. In April 2002, they went into Indre Studios and cut a six song demo (in only six hours!) that in July 2002 turned into a self-released EP, Cordalene. The sound on the record is fast, raw, and honest -- just like their live shows.

With Mike Kiley’s passionate, emotionally naked singing front and center, crunchy guitar interplay, and the rhythm section's quirky and confident playing, the sound of Cordalene is both completely original and hauntingly familiar. They sound like no other band, but after you hear them it feels as though this music has always been in your head. It is Pop music at it’s best: energy-fueled, raw and catchy, but with a complexity and depth that grows with each listen.

2002 has already been an incredible year of constant motion for Cordalene. Make a record after only 2 gigs? Open for Weezer on your 12th? Turn demos into the new lineup's first release? All audacious acts, but why not? If Pop is truly about the moment, Cordalene is living in it. Come along for the ride....

Breaking Pangaea is a Philly based, three-piece melodic rock outfit destined for true greatness. It began when percussionist Will Noon (Sleepasaurus, Motherbox Records), relocated to Philadelphia from New York City, quickly met up with the phenom, former Brody guitarist virtuoso and singer, Fred Mascherino. With the two musical powers sharing a true love for aggressive yet dynamic songs, they soon were bound on a quest to create a fusion of big guitar music complimented with desperate, weeping vocal serenades. Hence Breaking Pangaea was soon born. The combination of Will Noon’s natural percussive impulse and Fred Mascherino’s deep chords and soulful melodic guitar tendencies aid the sincere foundation for the urgent message of their creative and harmonious vocals. While Breaking Pangaea's basic musical identity was quickly forming, they then found a like peer in Clint Stelfox, to add the finishing touch to this well rounded trio.

This four-man Philly based act was born when Michael Morpurgo (bass, vocals, guitar) formerly of Dandelion, and talented new-comers Lee Bernstein (vocals, guitar) and Joshua Ostrander (vocals, guitar, keys) began collaborating, and they quickly discovered they had an affinity for each other. They were then only one drummer away from LaGuardia that came in the form of Trip 66 veteran Greg Lyons. The seemingly organic quality of LaGuardia’s music gives no hint to the painstaking construction and arrangement that takes place behind the scenes. Hypnotic rhythm guitar blends seamlessly with haunting vocal harmonies; intense and unique percussion fuses with masterfully executed bass lines; subdued lead guitar compliments the whole, and keyboard work that is simultaneously crystalline in its simplicity and thick and deep in its complexity furiously drives their songs to devastatingly powerful crescendos. They have released a self-produced EP and are currently in the studio working on their second EP.

Dan Fein is the Music Director for Y.100, Philly’s rock station. He hosts Y-Not, a Sunday night show dedicated to new and local music. Every Tuesday night, he hosts Y-100's Tuesday Night Music Club, which is live music from "the best bands on the hottest night of the city." Not only that, Dan also hosts special nights like CD release parties and, recently hosted a release party for Grape Street's Volume 2 Compilation CD. He contributes to the Philadelphia music scene at a grass-roots level by supporting up-and-coming or unestablished bands.

Photography: Yaron Gabai

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