| Band Members | Duane Scalzo, Mark Devar & Terry Bradley
DUANE SCALZO......
It's been so long since my first shot of inspiration, but it is so vivid and etched in my mind I'll never forget that day. Snow School Elementary, gymnasium, musical ensemble. I caught a seat on the floor right next to the DRUMMER, "WOW", I thought, how can this guy be moving his arms and legs at different times, but making such cool sounds, yep, that was it, I knew that day in my heart, that was going to be me. Over the years drummers like Buddy Rich, Ginger Baker, Keith Moon and John Bonham help to influence skills and styles and I was really blessed to play with so many talented musicians. And "Oh my God" the fun that we had! Quickly, I must at least name the bands I jammed with. From the top: The Street Kids, The Why, Existence, Sunglasses After Dark, The White Lines, Little Villains, Sands of Time, Fully Restored and last but surely not least, "FULL TILT BOOGIE". To be at this stage of my musical career and be playing in a three piece power trio, is way to cool. Several things are happening here. First and foremost, I must salute my fellow band mates for all their talent and their belief in me. To play with Mark and Terry is a complete rush...they allow me the room to explore, create and expand. To keep my dreams alive has meant the world to me. It is only possible through support of Family and Friends. All of you have made the difference in my life. Please stay in touch and keep on Rockin' in the free world, baby...
The Hammer
MARK (DeVar) DERVARTANIAN......
I started playing the guitar in 1965 at the age of 13 shortly after I heard the Beatles. I wanted to be just like John, Paul, and George. It didnt matter which one to me. After I realized that wasnt going to happen at least right away, I decided that it would be a good idea if I new how to play. The only problem was getting someone to show me how to do that especially since I did it all backwards and played left handed and upside down. Oh well, that proved to be ok since my favorite guitar hero of all time Jimi Hendrix played left handed. I continued learning how to play the guitar, but primarily I was more interested in singing and learning how to accompany myself with the guitar. I then started my first band in 1966 with a good friend Bruce Jackson on bass, and his older brother Mike on the drums. The first band was called the Weeds, and then evolved into a pretty good basement band by 1967 - 68 called the Scotland Yard. At this point we started playing around town and at Crestwood high school in Dearborn Heights, Mi. where we all grew up. I continued to learn how to play the songs of the 60s including Motown, and the most of the British invasion music.
My main influences changed in 1968 when I first heard Eric Clapton and Cream. I then wanted to play like Eric. I also continued to learn from the other British guitar players
Like Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards and of course Jimi to name a few. Some of my other influences included local musicians that included Ted Nugent, Gary Quackenbush, Drew Abbott, and Jim McCarty. All of these great players are known nationally, and helped me to form my own style that has evolved into a more bluesyRock feel with a lot more character than speed.
I have played in many bands up to now, but most notably with the band known as Silver Hawk. I along with my band mates enjoyed local success with our version of a George Harrison song called Awaiting On You All in April, and May of 1971 hitting the local charts in the top 10 and Nationally at .. 94 in the top 100.
I took a break from playing over that past 20 years or so, but continued to stay in touch with my very good friend and band mate Terry (T-Bone) Bradley, who has really been the inspiration for me to continue playing and encouraging me to push the envelope with my singing and playing. Thanks T.
Terry also was instrumental in forming our previous band Fully Restored , and helping to find my other good friend Duane (Hammer) Scalzo our current drummer who with Terry has given the band its back bone. Duane truly is the best drummer Ive played with..
I would personally like to thank my family and friends for supporting me in my music,
And to my son Andy, daughter Kristen, and sweetheart Marcia for believing in me and sticking with me through some very tough times.
Oh!!! And special thanks to my Mom for getting me that first guitar in 1965.
God Bless.
Big Daddy
TERRY BRADLEY......
Music has always played a big part in my life. I started out playing the Bass Guitar when I was about ten. My style of playing evolved through the years with influences from Bass Players in groups like The Beatles, The Jimmi Hendrix Experience, Lee Michaels playing organ pedal-bass with his feet, Led Zeppelin, Tower Of Power, Chicago, and Earth Wind & Fire, to really only name a few. And last but not least, The Great Joco Pastorius, Marcus Miller & Victor Wooten, continually blow me away with their creativity on the Bass. They have certainly brought out that Dirty Funky Jazz Style in me.
Ive performed in different types of bands through the years ranging from Country to Classic 70s & 80s Rock n Roll and even including a Vegas Show Act. Today I like where Ive landed musically, playing a style of music with overtones that we call, Club Concert Bluesy Rockin N Roll.
In Full Tilt Boogie, Im able to incorporate all these styles and influences into some fulfilling grooves and adlibbing, built on the driving backbone from a explosive & very solid drummer, Duane Scalzo, hence The Hammer, which makes our music truly a Blast. With this foundation of sound laid down from the T-Bone Hammer combination, Big Daddy cuts loose with solos that are from a totally different musical dimension Unbelievable! These two musicians truly bring out the best in me.
Truly the biggest influence to my music is friends & family. Without this harmony in my life, music would be meaningless.
T-Bone |
