STITCH TOGETHER ROCK ‘N’ ROLL’S CHILDREN
By request, punk and rollers Electric Frankenstein are about to head west. “We are going because our fans from the area have been asking us to please get there this year … finally, we’re able to make it,” says Sal Canzonieri, a.k.a. Sal, the band’s “mad scientist” and guitarist. With a following of rock ‘n’ rollers, metal enthusiasts and hardcore punks, EF has successfully grafted an aggressive style and energy. “We are fans of those genres as well and we have elements of those styles embedded in our songs,” says Sal, who got his first stitches in that explosive fusion. “High energy, punk, rock and roll is actually a mixture of heavy metal, hard rock and punk rock, which creates a super punk rock sound that is heavy, powerful and melodic,” he explains.
In addition, vocalist and lead guitarist Steve Miller and drummer Mike “Hot Rod” Lincoln all carry a CV that crosses the spectrum of psychedelic rock, punk territory, garage roots and glam. To add to the mix, bass player Mike Mindless did time with The Skulls and has worked with the Dictators and the Dead Boys. Is this punk rock and roll on a comeback?
“As old bands reform for reunion shows and new bands with people under 30 in them, [they] are coming out from all over the country. What’s pushing it is the old fans now have kids that are in their 20s! Which means that they are coming to the shows as well, which is really cool. There is a whole new generation of rockers out there!”
“It seems that new bands have reignited this rock ‘n’ roll torch… Yeah, there’s been a bunch [of bands],” Sal confirms. “In [New Jersey], there are The Disconnects, who are great fun, doing Johnny Thunders/Degeneration kind of style. In Houston, we played with Automatic Thrill, who were really powerful with great guitar work. Also, in Dallas, there is the really cool band, The Swinging Dicks, who do Angry Samoans punkish rock! There are a lot more out there.”
Not only is there a Best of Electric Frankenstein LP just out, but also new collaborations, which proves there is more to this than a comeback trail. There is a split record of all new songs with The Hip Priests from the U.K., (members of X-Rays) and a split single with Toronto’s volatile Maximum RNR. Plus a release of all non-LP tracks called Dead and Back. Unfortunately, this is to be their last North American tour, so after this, the only chance to catch them will be to fly out to their home state of New Jersey for a surprise visit. After the western North America dates and European tour, it’s back to recording, though, so the band is by no means done. So, get your fix as they head to the coast and Alberta.
Catch Electric Frankenstein on their last-ever tour of North America at DV8 Tavern (Edmonton) on August 10 and at the Palomino (Calgary) on August 11.
By Tiina Liimu
Photo: Emmy Etie
