To save you the time and trouble, the word “barrage” is officially defined as “a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area.” However, the band’s motto defines this quartet perfectly.
Barrage is a Long Island, four-member classic rock band that covers the ’60s to the ’90s. The group has been together since 2009 and consists of: Mark Nygren (Bass, backing vocals) Matt Bruno (lead vocals, guitar), Dr. Paul Scarola (drums), and Barry Weiss (lead guitar, backing vocals).
Earlier this year, with brand new lead singer Matt Bruno, Barrage played a fundraiser for the Good Samaritan Hospital Pediatric Department. Bear in mind, Matt had only been with the band for four weeks when the event took place.
Hosted by DJ Orlando from Long Island radio station 94.3 FM The Shark, it was set up as a battle of the bands contest. The venue where this took place was 89 North in Patchogue. In order to qualify for the contest, each band had to have at least one medical doctor in the group. Moments after the final performance of the event, Orlando declared Barrage the winner!
I asked lead guitarist Barry Weiss what it’s like to play in a battle of the bands contest. He said, “This battle of the bands, I thought, was just slightly nerve-racking. We were all well rehearsed. The rehearsals focused on just the set for this gig for over a month. We already knew the songs, so it was just a matter of getting Matt, our new lead singer, up to speed. Which he did amazingly. He memorized the lyrics so he did not need to look at any onstage. I was checking out the other bands’ Facebook pages to see what they were like prior to the event. Most of them, I saw that they played softer music like ’60s or Country. Being on last, we got to see what they were about. We were also the youngest of the bands and we knew that we would blow them away since we were doing good classic rock. Everyone that night were talented and professional and it all went very smoothly. It really was a great time and the crowd loved it. Hard to believe people got so into it on a Sunday afternoon.”
Barry also mentioned that the buzz continuing throughout the hospital and community has sparked demand for additional performances. Furthermore, the success of this event has enabled Barrage to secure the opening slot for a major Long Island tribute act.
To see Barrage live, their next gig is Friday July 20th at 89 North in Patchogue. They go on at 8 pm and will be doing one 90-minute set. Doors open at 7 for advanced ticket holders. To learn more about this great band, and see their videos too, visit their Facebook page.
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Guthrie wrote a folk song about a series of incredulous events that began on Thanksgiving in 1965. “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” struck a chord with the anti-war counterculture. By 1967 Guthrie had gone from playing small clubs to playing festivals and stadiums.
Long Island’s Blue Velvo performs original blues, roots and rock on July 3 and on July 5, Ray Lambiase and the Tin Kickers and Blue Race perform with Jeanna Lewis. July is rounded out by performances from jazz fusion band Brand X, Robert Gordon, 15 year-old Long Islander Brandon “Taz” Neiderauer, Third World, John Hammond, Garland Jeffreys with Frank Carillo and the Bandoleros, Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root, Vista Hill, Zebra, Buffalo-based jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra, Jill Sobule, NRBQ and Arlen Roth.
A major consensus that was agreed upon was that while tribute bands are on the rise on Long Island, it does not mean original artists must suffer as a result. Demographics reveal that the typical music listener on Long Island tends to be older, have a job, and family obligations, so it makes sense that they would spend their one night out a week seeing a band they know they will enjoy and can sing along to. However, this does not mean original music is a dead artform on Long Island. Almost every venue provides at least one night a week for original artists to play and gain exposure, despite how many or few people come out. What it essentially comes down to is local artists honing their craft, properly promoting themselves, collaborating with venues, and loving what they do. While the scene is not as vibrant as it was in the 1970’s, there is still plenty of new music to be seen every night on Long Island.
