Kitari, Pale Moon Gang, Family Animals

The creation of Kitari's debut EP "The Scarecrow & the Manor," produced by Chris Bittner (Team Sleep, Coheed & Cambria, Marco Benevento), followed a fairly straightforward formula, according to frontman Jared Rinaldi. "I just wanted to write memorable, catchy songs," the singer/bassist says, "while allowing the other guys in the band - some of the best musicians I've ever played with - to infuse the music with their talents and eclectic influences." And the influences are certainly eclectic. There are hints of the Doors' psychedelic shamanism, a healthy helping of the driving, spaced-out rock of Incubus as well as some funk-based jams a' la Soulive or the Meters in every Kitari show.

Formed in March of 2016, the band has quite a track record for being together only a year and some change. "The Scarecrow & the Manor," the single off the EP of the same name, has received quite a bit of attention, being in heavy rotation on Radio Woodstock's "Locally Grown with MK" show and appearing in the pilot for the upcoming TV show "Abysynthia." They've headlined gigs at Arlene's Grocery, Bowery Electric and DROM, and will be extensively touring New England this summer with their sweat-drenched, high energy shows.

In addition to Jared Rinaldi, Kitari also consists of polyrhythmic groove-monster Jim Saint-Amour (drums/vocals), scene vet Christoph Siegrist (organ/keys) and sonic maestro Shane Harrington (guitar). If their powerful music video for fan favorite "Feast of Fiends" is any indication, Kitari isn't about fluff. "We put it all out there on the stage for you, our audience," Jared says. "We want to take you to a dark place so that we can ultimately lift you back up into the light. Music's a powerful thing."


PALE MOON GANG reflects the raw aggressiveness and tender underbelly of New York, the city they call home. With riffs that grab you and won't let go, the GANG creates a smoldering energy that rides on a wave of pure rock'n'roll.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Richard Dev Greene was born and raised in New York City. His playground, downtown's Lower East Side, afforded him an experience few aspiring rockers ever get - exposure to NYC's raw, rebellious, punk rock scene. From that
point on, Greene knew he had but one calling in life. This destiny led his first band, Pale Face Of Youth, to the doorstep of fame. After being spotted at CBGB, Pale Face was offered an opening spot for The CLASH, a band whose audiences routinely
crucified opening acts. Yet, this was not the case with Pale Face, who went over so well they were offered two more shows on what turned out to be The Clash's farewell tour. This honor lead to opening slots for other legends like PIL, The Cramps, Billy
Idol and The Ramones.

Around this time, a fourteen year old Luke Miller happened to cross paths with Greene at the now legendary Saint Marks Bar. After an initial confrontation, fueled by drink and teen-aged macho posturing, the two bonded in their mutual mania for
rock'n'roll. They danced and thrashed to songs by the Sex Pistols, Iggy, and the Clash and as each song entered their bloodstream like the same drug, they knew a lifelong friendship was brewing. A few weeks later Miller went to see Pale Face
perform and was blown away. In his journal he recalls, "Greene glided across the stage like James Brown and attacked his guitar with the ferociousness of Joe Strummer". He felt the only thing missing was himself onstage with Greene. At the
time, the only instrument Miller could play was the radio, but this was soon to change. Greene spent weeks teaching Miller bass guitar and soon their musical lives together had begun. Their personal connection produced great music and an intense
onstage chemistry...but intense chemistry often has unintended consequences. A fanatical devotion to punk ideology combined with a few arrests, too much junkie business and more than a dash of cold gin, led their then manager to declare these
boys "unmanageable". Indeed they were, and with their mission sidetracked, they went their separate ways.

Time heals all wounds. Miller came to Greene in 2004 with a proposition: reform the band in attitude and energy, but with a new sound. Thus, PALE MOON GANG was born.
The startling compliment to their sound comes from Brian Wolfe, an amazingly skilled drummer and true southern gentleman, who transforms onstage into the brilliant, manic "Wolfman". They performed their debut show at the place it all started, CBGB,
and their mission began anew.

When watching Greene and Miller perform, you feel as if you're seeing their story unfold. Their wildly fluid and untamed onstage rapport captivates audiences and makes them true believers, just as Greene did for Miller that first time.

PALE MOON GANG is recording a new album at Brooklyn's Excello Studios. Their current sound evolves from heavy bass hooks, driving beats, and sinewy guitar passion,
coupled with lyrics that dive in deep. It's a sound that burrows inside you and makes itself home. That's alright, this is tribal music medicine that makes it all better.


Band names are funny things. Family Animals has a whimsical quality to it, for sure, although it oddly makes sense. No four-legged members can be found within the Scranton-based rock band, but it does consist of brothers Anthony and Jesse Viola, plus Frank DeSando, who???s essentially their non-blood sibling. The Violas and Mr. DeSando started playing together in their hometown of Cortez, Pennsylvania around 2000, when they weren???t even into their teens.
???We were always kids that loved music. I think I discovered real rock n roll when I was 10 or 11,??? Anthony said. ???We practiced every day when we were kids, five or six days a week.???
???We can just read each other,??? he added. ???We???ve always been on the same wavelength musically.???
In 2008, they formed Family Animals. Their music has taken inspiration from a hodgepodge of acts, from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Frank Zappa to Gogol Bordello, Primus and Dead Kennedys. Local bands like Heavy Blonde and And the Moneynotes also made a big impact.
???We???re all over the place musically. We don???t like to be tied down to one genre,??? Anthony said, noting that the band???s sound also incorporates elements of reggae.
The band has close to 140 copywritten songs, although they only release the ones they???re most satisfied with, Anthony said. These days, Jesse serves as the primary songwriter, but Anthony and Mr. DeSando make their share of contributions to the process. Jesse is also a talented multi-instrumentalist, adding keyboards, horns, strings, guitar and more to the recordings they feel need arangments.
Family Animals are almost always touring. They've shared a stage with many acts including Badfish, Motionless in White, The Menzingers, Tigers Jaw, Toy Soldiers, Captain, We're Sinking, The Extraordinaires, Cabinet, The Armchairs, The Gay Blades, Crobot, and more. Now, they???re in full promotion mode for ???I Must Have It". Already, the band has more songs at the ready for their next album, which could appear as early as next year. Whatever happens publicity-wise, Anthony feels confident he and his fellow Family Animals will be making music ??????til we???re old.???
???It???s what I live for. It???s what I want to do with the rest of my life,??? he said. ???We???re just passionate about it. We just love making music.???

Joshua McAuliffe