Buffalo Music Awards

Original Rock

bloodthirstyvegans

Janna Willoughby – Vocals, Trumpet
Alex Mead – Vocals
Bryan Lohr – Guitar
Ben Sachs – Bass
Kaitlyn Gardner – Keyboard, Clarinet
Dave Harter - Drums

Michael Delaney and Liz Bailey augment the group on some dates
Their music is a lively mix of energetic hip hop, rock, funk, ska and blues topped off with socially conscious positive lyrics
Bloodthirsty Vegans is a musical family that makes music about peace, love and understanding to unite the human family, foster respect for the inter-connected web of life and remind the tribes how liberating it was to dance the dances of freedom
Website: www.bloodthirstyvegans.com

brassmonkeez

Steve Fleck – Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Ryan Dallavia – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Evan Waterstrat – Bass, Vocals
Tyler Midgely – Drums

Performs a unique blend of 60’s and 70’s rock paired with newer influences
Winners 2009 Buffalo Music Awards Best New Original band
Winners 2008 Rapids Theatre Battle of the Bands
Winners 2008 Music Is Art Niagara Battle of the Bands
Performed at Music Is Art Festival 2009/2010
Performed at Taste of Buffalo 2010
Opened for Fran Cosmo of Boston and for Dereke St. Holmes of the Ted Nugent Band
Recorded their first CD “The Brass Monkeez” in the summer of 2010
All members attend Lewiston Porter High School
Website: www.thebrassmonkeez.com

dodriver

Jody Velletta – Vocals
Mike Trabucco – Guitar
Doug Smith – Guitar
Joe Martucci – Bass
Mark Conlon – Drums

DoDriver formed in 2005, a continuation of Jive Injection which was formed in 1992
Mike and Jody are the founding members and the band has continued to play most of the music from the original group along with music written with the current members
The band has opened for many national acts in the Buffalo area and on August 13, 2010 DoDriver won the chance to open for KISS at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
They have played in 5 different states, Puerto Rico and Canada
Since 1992 they have released 5 recordings “Sinus”, “Man”, “Neon”, “DoDriver” and “Life Changes Everything”
Website: www.dodriver.com
Photo: Jeffrey T. Barnes

freehenry

Bob Buckley – Vocals, Guitar
Alexander Gavin Foote – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Derek Presti – Bass
Pat Mannella – Drums

Formed in 2009 they released debut album “Summers on Neptune” and they are currently working on their follow up
Have opened for Blues Traveler, Foreigner, Guess Who, Soulive, Rusted Root, Blind Melon, Badfinger, Better Than Ezra, We the Kings, Lou Gramm & Rik Emmett
In 2009/2010 took Buffalo Music Award for “ Best Original Rock Band” and ArtVoice Magazine’s Best of Buffalo Awards for” Best Rock Act”, “ Best Original Music Act” and “Best Band Name”
Website: www.freehenryband.com

thefeast

Todd Kessner – Vocals, Acoustic
Roger Cormier – Guitar, Vocals
Jason Durys– Bass, Vocals
Sean Martin – Guitar, Vocals
Mark Freeland – Drums

innocentbystanders

Kevin Sampson – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Adam Schroeder - Guitar
Chris Nanula – Bass
Scott Bernard – Drums

Former members: Brandon Adler (guitar) and Rick Masi (guitar)
Formed in 2005, they are signed to Amherst Records and have played over 100 shows in WNY
They are inspired by 90’s alternative rock bands such as Weezer, Green Day and Ben Folds Five
They have opened concerts for Third Eye Blind and Sugar Ray
In 2007 released a self-titled debut album
Second single “Popsicles” featured on Houston radio station KRBE New Music Faceoff, winning five nights in a row
Contributed four songs to motion picture soundtrack “What Goes Up” starring Hilary Duff, with single “Under Wraps” appearing in the film

jimcreanband

Jim Crean – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Stephen Perry – Lead Guitar
Steve Szabo – Bass
Colleen Mastrocovo – Drums

The band headlined the Flight 3407 Benefit Concert in Clarence, New York
They performed at the Hello Yesterday Festival
They are currently recording their new CD entitled “Hollywood Rockstar”
They have appeared on the allwnyradio.com Noah’s Ark Radio program along with a live interview on WBNY 91.3
Side projects: Jim – Hair Nation, Colleen – Mystic Jayyd, Stephen – The Sins/Veil and Steve - Remotely Crue
Website: www.jimcrean.net

handsomejack

Jamison Passuite – Guitar, Vocals
Joey Verdonselli – Bass, Vocals
Phil Allport – Keyboards, Guitar
Chad Salmeri – Drums

Handsome Jack formed in 2004 when all the members were teenagers in Lockport, New York
In 2010 they released an EP “Prologue” as a follow up to their two previous releases “Heat Seeker” and “Handsome Jack”

sonoftheson

Joseph Stocker – Guitar, Keyboards
Zak Ward - Vocals, Guitar
Jeremy Franklin – Guitar
Steve Matthews – Bass, Moog
Brandon Delmont – Drums

Formed in 2008, they released an EP “Before the After” and in 2010 released a full length album “The Happy Loss”
Opened concerts for: Guess Who, Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, The Trews, Rusted Root and Randy Bachman
Their single “Tell Me” placed on Bad Girls Club on Oxygen – Season 5 (Episode 10) in October 2010
Their single “Stay the Same” placed on MTV’s Real World XXIV New Orleans (Episode 9) in September 2010
In October 2010 they were selected to perform at CMJ Music Showcase presented by Boston’s Weekly Dig and Ryan’s Smashing Life Blog
Website: www.sonofthesunmusic.com
Photo : Cris Puccia

vincentjamesexplosion

Vincent James Mastrantonio – Guitars, Vocals
Jerry Sampson – Bass, Vocals
Jim Linsner – Drums

The Vincent James Xplosion formed in 2006
Recorded “Jammin’ with J.T.” in 2006, “Revelation” in 2007 and “Blown” in 2009
Opened for the Alex Skolnick Trio, Brian Augers, Oblivian Express and Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush
They plan to release their 4th CD in the Spring of 2011
Vince also performs with the Rod Nixon Project
Jerry and Jim are also members of JJ Swing
Photo: Linda Snell