The nucleus of The Whispering Tree is Eleanor Kleiner and Elie Brangbour, who began the group when they met in London at music school. Both are very talented musicians. Eleanor has an exceptional voice. I can recall thinking about how amazing her singing was whenever we got together to play.
Eleanor Kleiner – vocals, keyboards
Elie Brangbour – bass, vocals
Clifton Hyde – guitar
Mark Feldman – drums
This was the first MANCIE recording I played on. We went to Ben Rice’s studio, in the basement of his parents house in Ditmas Park. He had been making a lot of records there.
Andrea’s sister, Sharon Fischman, played drums on the title track, “Say Say,” but I played on everything else, including the track in the Soundcloud player above, “Lonely Road.” One of MANCIE’s heaviest songs, “Lonely Road” is one of my favorites. Hard rock ’70s style.
Andrea Montgomery: guitar and vocals, Jake Adams: bass, Mark Feldman: drums
The title track, “Only the Wanted,” is reminiscent of Blondie’s disco era recordings. The hi-hat ideas are directly inspired by Clem Burke – one of my favorite rock drummers.
After hearing this album, VICE Magazine named MANCIE one of “Brooklyn’s Best Unknown Bands”.
Another session with producer Felix McTeigue, I didn’t know what we were tracking or who the artist was untill I got to VEL and met Eric Frisch, who is a really talented guy. His music is pop…his songs reminded me a bit of early Paul Simon with a little Brian Wilson thrown in. The production is rich….there are horns and keyboards and guitars and lots of background vocals.
By the way, the liner notes on the album are incorrect. I don’t know who Mark Friedman is, but I played on track #5, “Get Low,” although he is credited. I’m also on track #6, “One Way To Find Out.” Attis Clopton is a fine drummer, but I played on that track, although he is credited on the packaging.
Electric Black Horse is an over-the-top, in-your-face, glam metal band very reminiscent of KISS and Queen. My first show with them was in March of 2012 at The Mercury Lounge, and all my friends reacted strongly. Not unlike KISS, you either love them or hate them. I think they’re great. I’ve always loved KISS, and I took a lot of heat for that as a kid. So, it was great fun to get to play with these guys. They put it all out there and the spirit of rock and roll is in full force all the time.
I don’t recall the exact time of the recording session….probably the spring of 2013. I played on three tracks: Cheap Party Favors, Birthday Bitch & Koke Rock
Michael Pate: Guitars and Vocals, Merx: Lead Guitar, JT: Bass, Mark Feldman: Drums (3 tracks), Shane Considine: Drums (4 tracks)
In 1987, I entered Modern Drummer Magazine’s very first drum solo contest, which was judged by RUSH’s Neil Peart.
A few months later, I got a letter in the mail…..from Neil Peart. I was one of the winners, he said. He liked my solo. He was sending a truck to my apartment with “Chromey,” the famed Slingerland drum kit that he used on the first RUSH albums he played on.
The solo was published in Modern Drummer Magazine on a flexi disc in the February 1988 issue.
In August of 2013, I was asked to play on a session by Felx McTeigue. The artist was David D’Alessio. There was something magical about this session. I played on four tracks, three of which made the album.
I played on the following tracks:
Move Mountains (track #1)
Believe (track #4)
Sudden Love (track #8)
This 5 song EP revealed a band that was darker, edgier and heavier than on previous releases. Recorded with reknowned underground engineer Jeff Cook, the sound quality is gritty yet pristine.
Andrea Montgomery – guitars, bass and vocals
Mark Feldman – drums
Christian Botta – guitars
This 3 song debut EP from Mark Feldman’s LEVEL5 is an instrumental funk and prog delight. With great reviews upon release, “The Sybil EP” drew comparisons to Galactic, The JB’s, Medeski, Martin and Wood and The Meters. An auspicious debut.
Oz Noy – guitar, Will Lee – bass, Adam Klipple – keys, Mark Feldman – drums
