Dashboard Saints

Interview with Dashboard Saints

March 6, 2016

Describe your band, telling a little about it.  ROCKIN' THE CLASSICS TO KEEP YOU ON THE DANCE FLOOR!  When you have a lifelong friendship like Frank and Ray that includes being bandmates for over 40 years, it just doesnt feel right when you go separate ways. During their few years apart, Frank partnered with Terry in an acoustic duo called DOUBLE EDGE, and Ray with Romano in a band called POINT BLANK. As they say everything happens for a reason. As fate will have it, these 4 veteran musicians and great friends now come together to form the Dashboard Saints and great things are happening! It is a match made in heaven.  They should have named this band 'Destiny'. The Saints do a variety of classic rock with a beat you can dance to from the 1960's through current day. The songs are selected to bring you to your feet and keep you there! Their energy on stage is awesome. Once a show is booked, posters will be supplied to your establishment to advertise the show. We will also advertise on our website and through our facebook page. We invite you to join us for a show to see for yourself what we are all about.

What are your names? / Who plays what?
Frank Caratelli: Lead & Rhythm Guitar / Vocals
Terry Engelman:  Lead & Rhythm Guitar / Vocals
Ray Fernandez:  Bass Guitar / Vocals
Romano Perri:  Drums & Percussion

Have members played with any other bands?
Currently: Ray is in the DREAM MACHINE band, and Frank and Terry have an acoustic duo DOUBLE EDGE.  Terry is also in DIRTY OVER THIRTY.  Past:  STRYKE 3 (Frank & Ray), POINT BLANK (Ray and Romano), FOXX (Frank & Ray), DALLAS (Frank & Ray), MADHOUSE (Ray), SWEETWATER (Ray), ARM&HAMMER BAND (Romano), RYNO (Romano), THE BLASTERS (Romano), LIVING LIE (Terry), DIE LORELEI (Terry).  There were several others, but these are long-term bands.

Do you write your own music or perform covers?  Has it always been this way?
Right now we perform covers.  We have some originals, and may incorporate them in the future.

What year did the band form?  2015

Where is bands home?  Beaver County, PA

What's your style or genre?
Classic rock dance music

What inspires your music?
Classic rock artists from the 1960’s through current day.

How often do you rehearse?  Once a week

What gear do you guys use?  We own all of our sound and light equipment, which is all PRO Gear. For larger venues, we use a lighting company; “Smoot Lights in Motion”.

Do you utilize a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that?  No, we do not. We have established many venue contacts over the years and built a reputation that enables us to book on our own.

Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that?  No. Those days are long past.

What are your songs about?
Danceable classic rock covers

Have you done any covers live?
Currently we do ALL covers

What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs?  The Saints has only had one gig so far.  250+ attendees.

What ages are most of your concert attendants?  30-60

Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary?  We have an established set list, but tweak it as necessary and change it up occasionally.

Do you have a regular place you play live often?  Yes, several local venues. Full schedule is always on our website www.dbsaintsrock.com

What was your first gig like?  It was electric. So many people.  Always fun playing to a great crowd.

What was your latest gig?
Kendrew’s Lounge, February 19

Have you had to cancel a gig?
No, never in this band.  (In 40 years, we can count on one hand the times a gig was cancelled.  It has only been done for emergency medical reasons.  We take our commitment very seriously, and the show must go on.)

Where do you plan to gig the coming year?
Beaver Falls Turners (Beaver Falls PA), Paradise Pub (Monaca PA), Town & Country Lounge (Edinburg PA), Arms Club (Washington PA), Longbranch Saloon (New Brighton PA), Highland VFW (Beaver Falls PA), Enon Valley Inn (Enon Valley PA)

When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale?  Haven’t started selling merchandise yet, but we will.

Where can people buy your merchandise?
At shows and online

What advice would you give other bands or artists?  40 years of experience has taught us this. When you are on that stage, it is a lot of fun, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to keep a band together and to be successful.  It is truly like a marriage. You have to respect each other and leave your egos at the door. You have to make practice, good equipment, and shows your priority, and you definitely have to miss a lot of family functions and events. You also have to choose a spouse or mate that understands all of this and is supportive because the band will take a lot of time away from them.  Without this support, success is just not possible.

How do you get psyched for a gig?
We are always psyched for a gig. Just to walk on the stage and perform together is exciting. We have known each other for a long time, performed together, and are ready to rock the house at every show.

What are your web sites?
www.dbsaintsrock.com

How can people reach you?
Phone/Text, email, website, facebook:
724-622-3277 (Ray)
dbsaintsrock@gmail.com
www.dbsaintsrock.com

Social media addresses?
www.facebook.com/thedashboardsaints

What are your plans for the future?
Keep gigging in the tri-state area

What do you think of my work?
This is a great idea to showcase local bands. There are other sites out there, but this is a unique idea and we are glad to be a part of it.  Good luck!

How do you think that this interview could help you in the local music scene and beyond?   We are just getting our new name back out there in the local scene.  We are veteran musicians that have performed in local bands for over 40 years, and just want everyone to know we are now the DASHBOARD SAINTS, and we are having a ball.

What is one thing even your biggest fans don't know about the band?  Rodney Dangerfield shows up at practice almost every Wednesday to pick on Ray.

Do you have anything to add?  Check out our website for our full schedule (always up to date), our songs, photos, and in depth descriptions about the musicians!  We hope to see you at a show soon!