Interview by Roger Zee (02/28/19)
Roger Zee: What inspired you to pick up the guitar and sing?
Gary Cusano: Like many musicians, I started playing guitar and singing in church -- teen acoustic mass, Godspell and the like. Took a few lessons then continued self taught. High School brought the first Rock band. Then I got serious and decided to major in Jazz guitar at the Westchester Conservatory of Music in White Plains, NY for two years.
I got my Law Degree in 1985 and started playing music with lawyers at that time. Those bands includied The Litigators, followed by Law and Disorder and finally for last ten years, Class Action. It's been a fun ride. "Music fills all the empty space in my life."
Roger Zee: Any significance to the band's name? How and when did it come together?
Gary Cusano: Myself and four other attorneys that I either worked with or met along the way formed Class Action in January 2009. After a few jam sessions it became clear that this group could be special. Class Action seemed like an appropriate name -- a legal term that also denotes a level of excellence. The band consists of myself on guitar and vocals, Sal Lagonia on trumpet and vocals, Jim Nowak lead guitar, Rick Tota, drums and vocals, Thomas Durante on keyboards and vocals, John Hahn on trombone and bass, and Andrew Custodio on sax.
Roger Zee: What kind of music do you play?
Gary Cusano: With a set list of hard, Classic rock including The Stones, Free, Cheap Trick, Steppenwolf and the like, this guitar driven band played all the clubs in northern Westchester. We performed at the NYC marathon and at an international competition for first responders from around the world at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. Our music changed dramatically after we added Judge Sal Lagonia on trumpet. We expanded our repertoire to include horn tunes and added the occasional guest sax player -- my son. Departures of some of the original band members over time led us to move in a more horn-driven direction. We added a permanent sax player and ultimately a new bass player that doubles on the trombone. The old Classic Rock tunes took on new punch with the horns and the addition of songs from Chicago, The Beatles, Blood Sweat and Tears, Brian Setzer and Joe Cocker gave us a new sound. Not your typical Rock band.
Roger Zee: Where does the band usually perform?
Gary Cusano: We play mostly in Northern Westchester, NY but recently performed down county at Pete's Saloon in Elmsford and Saxon Grill in Scarsdale. We have played the Hudson Room and 12 Grapes both in Peekskill, The Winery at St George in Yorktown, Putnam County Golf Course Summer concert series, and Brother Vic's at the Heights in South Salem We perform regularly at the Mohansic Grill and Stone Rose in Yorktown.
Roger Zee: Tell me about your favorite and/or most unusual gig.
Gary Cusano: We have performed at Yorktown's Summer concert series several times over the years, most recently as the headliner. We played a special show for the local Vietnam Veterans who were bused in by the Yorktown Lions Club. We brought up four Vets to join us singing on stage for our rendition of Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon". It honored us to recognize these great Americans.
Roger Zee: What advice do you give up and coming musicians?
Gary Cusano: I advise young musicians to understand that there's a lot more to a working musician than the ability to play your instrument. You need to develop a following, get and promote gigs, organize your rehearsals and put together a set list that gets the fans coming back to see you again. Being a great player's not good enough if you can't get your music heard.
Roger Zee: How do you see the future of the music business?
Gary Cusano: The future of music lays in live performance. It seems that musicians earn very little from streaming. New bands get known by touring and the older guys and gals do it now to cash in on the music they wrote years ago. Live music's alive and well in this area. But these venues exist to make money. So you have to promote your shows and get people in the place so the owners can make money and book you back again. Its not about having the best guitar player or drummer. Its about finding a group of musicians that work well together, can create a vibe, and provide the audience with something special.
©2018 Roger Zee