Sue and the Fun Ghouls
"Sue and the Fun Ghouls Interview"
SueAndTheFunGhouls.com
Interview by Roger Zee (01/23/18)
Roger Zee: How, when, and why did Sue and the Fun Ghouls come together?
Sue Corcoran: Shredder (Anthony Sgarlata) and I played together in a band that wasn’t working on the level we wanted.
We hoped that adding a keyboard player would elevate the group. I knew Michael LaMassa from of all places, Church. I knew
he was our guy. Unfortunately, that did not solve the issue. So Shredder, Michael and I left the previous band.
When drummer George Ruiz, another one of our Church alumni, became available, we immediately recruited him. It seemed like Divine Intervention!
Our Core four was born approximately four years ago. We add additional players as needed for weddings, Country Club events, etc.
Shredder We came up with the name Sue and the Fun Ghouls by accident. I wanted to feature Sue. Let’s face it. Nobody comes
to see four old dudes -- LOL! So we tossed around Sue’s name and that’s what came out. So we ran with it. It happened kind of quick.
The music we play ranges from The Beatles to Bruno Mars. The crowd enjoys lots of Eighties music as well.. Maybe it’s a nostalgic thing.
It works. We cater our set list to the event, venue and crowd. But for the most part we cover something for everyone.
Roger Zee: How often and where do you gig?
Shredder: We play fun venues all over the Tri-State area, on average four times per month. They include Chat 19 (Larchmont),
Pete's Saloon (Elmsford), Bar Harbor (Mamaroneck).
Roger Zee: Who inspired you to play music and what instruments do you play?
Sue: I’m the lead vocalist and I love Carly Simon and Carole King. But I'm also a huge Broadway fan so the album "Annie's" on
steady rotation! As I grew up the youngest of five, my musical taste derived from my older siblings who listened to a wide musical catalog
ranging from Cat Stevens to Black Sabbath.
Shredder: I play guitar and grew up on lots of Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. I also listened to tons of
Hendrix, Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Motley Crue, and AC/DC. You can hear all of that in my playing.
Roger Zee: Describe your favorite and/or most unusual performance.
Sue Corcoran: Definitely the private gigs. My favorites include the annual Clam Bake on the beach and the yearly
Boat Cruise on the LI Sound on the Klondike out of New Rochelle. There's something to be said about performing in front of the Statue of Liberty.
It's surreal!
Shredder: I favor my Birthday gigs -- so always over the top! The one this year happens at Chat 19 (Larchmont) on February 10, 2018.
Roger Zee: Tell me about Eastchester Music.
Shredder: EMC's my other passion. As a musician, owning a local music store's a dream come true. I feel so grateful
to make a living doing/promoting that which I love. Eastchester Music Center has been a fixture in Eastchester NY for over 57
years. I took it over in 2015, gave it a face lift, and brought it into the 21st Century.
We carry Cables, Strings, Drum Sticks and most other musical accessories. We also do lots of School Band Instrument Rentals,
repairs, and provide in-store lessons on all instruments.
We're now a Knaggs Guitars Dealer and I'm a Knaggs Artist! They build hand-made guitars in Greensboro MD. Joe Knaggs, formally Director
at PRS of R&D and Private Stock, now builds all Artist guitars, new models, and works with production. Peter Wolf, Director of Global Sales and
Marketing, works with distributors, dealers, artist relations, branding, media, etc. They make a great guitar -- the only one I play!
Roger Zee: What advice do you give young and upcoming musicians?
Sue Corcoran: I tell them to be themselves. To try and perform in front of a live audience whenever possible. Showcase yourself at
jams and open mics -- like yours Roger at Victor's Hawthorne on Thursday night. Wink, wink!
Shredder: I quote my friend Matt Starr. “Happiness is found when you stop comparing yourself to other people and
focus on your own growth. You are your only competition, you should only be worried about being better than who you were yesterday.”
©2018 Roger Zee