Tony Deziel-All Lead Guitars and Lead Vox; Scott Donofio-Lead Drums; Paul Opalach-Lead Bass, Lead Keys & Lead Percussion; Rose Coppola-Lead Backing Vox
Influences
The Bealtes: Eric Clapton: Rory Gallagher: Cream: Paul McCartney: Gerry McAvoy: Clint Eastwood: Errol Flynn: Jeff Carlisi: U2: Allman Brothers:Steve Morse: Robben Ford: George Harrison: Warren Haynes: John Lennon: The Who: The Rolling Stones: Eric Johnson:The Dregs:Jeff Beck: Hugh Grant: Ed King: Derek Trucks:B.B. King:Peter Frampton: Daniel Day-Lewis:Allen Collins: The Darkness: Bill Nighy(The Actor): Roddy Doyle and Nick Hornby.
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Sounds Like
Tony Deziel-Bio:
Tony Deziel began playing the guitar at age fifteen, and within two and a half years was teaching professionally in a local music store. Inspired at an early age by the Beatles, Tony practiced hour upon hour, learning and absorbing all that he could, studying both the guitar playing and songwriting of his favorite artists. After four years of teaching in a store, Tony began teaching privately and currently maintains a roster of at least 40 students. Through the Registry of Guitar Teachers in Canada, Tony is currently one of ten guitar teachers in the United States certified to offer the London College of Music Exams in guitar and music theory.
Tony began playing the club circuit in CT at the age of eighteen, and with his second band Sundance released the CD entitled “Pearls Of Wisdom” in 1996, in which Tony received many notable reviews for his guitar playing and songwriting from various magazines including Guitar Player, Guitar World, Relix, and Songwriter’s Monthly. The band was also featured in a documentary entitled “Behind the scenes with Sundance” which aired on many cable networks throughout the state. Songs from “Pearls of Wisdom” have featured on many of the CT rock radio stations. The disc has recently been reissued and is currently available through cdbaby.com, iTunes, Napster, and Rhapsody to name but a few.
During a trip to Orlando in 1991, Tony met former .38 Special guitarist/songwriter Jeff Carlisi and the two have remained friends ever since. To this day, Carlisi is often the first person to hear a completed Tony Deziel song.
During a brief guitar playing stint in Nashville in 1995, Tony was able to work with good friend Jason Elledge, on the Blackfoot compilation CD entitled “Rattlesnake Rock n’ Roll” for Rhino Records.
Recently, Tony has just finished recording and producing folk artist Bob Johnson’s debut CD, and was heard singing on the Paul Chapin song “I’m Too Horny” which aired on HBO’s show Cathouse.
During a most recent trip to Atlanta, Tony had the privilege to play with longtime friend and former .38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi, former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King, drummer Liberty DeVito of Billy Joel’s band, and vocalist/saxophonist Mark Rivera of Billy Joel, Foreginer and Ringo Starr fame.
In July 2005, chosen by Garageband.com as one of their top twelve favorite artists, Tony was be featured on 178 Clear Channel Rock Radio stations across the United States, and in August of 2006 Gargeband.com honored him again by placing him on over 600 Clear Channel Radio Stations.
Also in the works, Tony is currently working on a new studio album, and has two new CD singles slated to be released in May of 2008. The first contains the instrumental “Jilly Bean” and the Allmanesque “Shades of Blue”, both of which have enjoyed enormous success on garageband.com and have been featured on many Internet Radio Stations around the world. The second CD single will feature the 1st single of the new album, “What’cha Put In That Kiss”, the new instrumental "Lyndsai" as well four covers including The Beatles “Got To Get You Into My Life” and the Who’s “Substitute”, both of which will not be available on the full length album.
Look for Tony to be hitting the road in early 2008 in support the new recordings with his new band: “Deziel”.
When Tony Deziel took his first guitar lesson at age 15, he had absolutely no idea how to play. Inspired by the music of the Beatles, particularly Paul McCartney’s songs, Tony began to practice for hour upon hour. In two short years he had made astounding progress, and began to teach out of a local music store. At the same time, Tony began to cut his teeth with a variety of local bands. After completing high school, he studied theory and classical guitar in college.
With a contemporary Southern Rock edge, Tony’s music evokes such groups as the Allman Brothers and Allgood, while his solos, combining the bluesy side of Robben Ford with a healthy dose of Warren Haynes, contain powerful does of melody, feel and technique.
Currently Tony plays with Sundance, a band with whom he has written, performed and recorded with for the last year and a half. Sundance have just completed recording their first CD.
Hometown Heroes
Guitar World Article September 1995 Relix Review:
Sundance is a Connecticut-based trio fronted by guitarist/vocalist Tony Deziel, and “Pearls of Wisdom” is the bands debut album. Musically, Sundance’s sound is entrenched pretty much in the 70s. It draws on a varied mix of influences from lively country-rock and Southern rock to melodic rock and blues, although it’s the country-rock material that really stands out. The band is tight, and Deziel is a polished player with an affinity for fluid melodic solos. This is highlighted in the albums two sharply contrasting instrumentals, the delicate acoustic “Calistoga” and the lightning fast country picking of "Mad Road Shuffle." Best cuts here are the Eagles-like "Solitaire" and "Texas" (there’s also an excellent cover of the Eagles' "Take It Easy") and the more AOR sounds of "Let Me Love You Tonight."
Relix Magazine: Issue 23-04 - July/August – 1996
Sundance “Pearls of Wisdom”: What makes a good band great? If the performance is there, what is it that pushes the band over the edge? The songs! Sundance has a Lynyrd Skynyrd or .38 Special kind of musical vibe going which makes their music very easy to like. However, the songwriting is pure gold. Simple, effective lines that pack a cinematic wallop. It was pretty wild for a Saturday night/The band was blarin and the ladies looked fine/it looks like this boys gonna party tonight, really sets the mood for the rest of the song. And if “Whatcha Put in that Kiss” aint Top 10 material, I’m turning in my union card. A great band with great songs; what more could you ask for?
Songwriters Monthly December 1998
Guitar Player Magazine-December 2007
Tony Deziel "Lyndsai". Deziel is unrepentantly old school, which means his guitar tone is fat and articulate and the arrangement of his backing tracks doesn't ever veer too far afield from what you'd hear in the 70's. It also means "Lyndsai" is devoid of anything except beautiful, vocal-like melodies from start to finish. Quite a treat. - Michael Molenda
Fireworks "The Melodic Rock Magazine" Nov/Dec 2008
California’s TONY DEZIEL got started in music because of The Beatles. ‘They were my first and still my primary influence,’ says Tony. After buying an acoustic guitar for $45 when he was 15 Tony started to learn to play picking up influences along the way from Eric Clapton to Rory Gallagher.
Tony now has a new CD out called ‘What’cha Put In That Kiss’ and he is very happy with the final product. ‘During the process of making the new album, I was recording these favourite cover songs of mine just for kicks, and as it turns out, all five of them will be included on this album,’ he says.
The new CD has been getting a good response.‘I made a few of the songs available for people to hear on garageband.com/tony-deziel and on myspace.com/tonydeziel, and was really excited and about all of the feedback and enthusiasm that came from basically people around the world! That’s really the main point of the band I’d say, to make people happy, enthused, get ‘em fired-up and to put a smile on all of their little mugs,’ he laughs.
The CD took about a year to complete, as Tony did not want to rush at recordings. ‘I wanted to make sure the performances were top-notch,’ he explains. ‘Even with the cover songs, because it’s extremely important to breath life into them and not just play and sing the notes, but like I just alluded to, to make them ‘Come Back To Life’. With that said, I sure hope I did that, if not I’m sure I’ll hear it from everyone!!’ he chirps.
Tony’s CD was recorded in Shelton CT at Long Hill Recording with Paul Opalach as Producer and Engineer. Tony also writes all the songs but it’s the live performance he enjoys the most. ‘The shows are received well. I think people who see us for the first time are a bit surprised, but delighted, at how
hard we rock on all of the songs’ he says.
Next up the band plan to complete a few more original tunes for a full-length album. Tony also performs with a band called Fresh Cream, a tribute band to Cream and is looking to hit the road in Europe next year. Visit
www.myspace.com/tonydeziel for more info.
From the column: "Rebel Rock 'n' Blues" by Nicky Baldrian and Lightnin' Jack Cane
Hi Tony, Just calling by to wish you a good weekend, do please enjoy. Also, as i won't hardly be online next week, want to wish you 'all the best'...things will BE fine:)). With Love, Trish, x~~X~~x, FANCYPROFILE.COM
Hello my lovely!
Just dropping by to send you some BIG TIMES!!! LOL!!!
Enjoy your studio time...sing one for me baby oh baby!!!! ;))))))
Lots of love,
Miss D xoxoxoxoxox
Hi Tony, I just dropped by you page to check out your music. Although you want your own distintive sound and you do I have to say that your version of "Tattoo'd Lady" is the closest I've ever heard. Your voice sounds a lot like Rory's and yor playing is excellent. It's heart warming to hear. I know you aren't a cover band but the Rory ones I've heard sound great but the singer can't carry it off. You can. I enjoyed "Toredown" as well. I look forward to hearing more of your music. Take care, Heather.
Happy 4th July to my favourite Yank!!! You gonna come over here and take care of bizznizz?!!!!! LOL!!!!
Lots of love and heaps of BIG TIMES!!! ;))))))
Miss Delly xoxoxoxoxoxox
Hi guy, summer love & kisses - it's 38 degrees here, strangely different. I've got a nearly broken toe & a splint on my ring finger, but can still play Hey Joe (but not much else) come to London L&K XXXmoonzynXXX
Thanks for the friendship and taking the time to stop by, Tony! You're obviously an artist that "gets it" :) (See my blog about band manners!) Love your music.. excellent stuff for sure! Keep rockin' and have a great holiday weekend!
XO
