The Borgese/Pignataro/Skylyr Progressive Power Trio

Update 03/07/05: Well, I have to post the terrific news. James and I have recently stumbled onto a wealth of talent and ability in the form of keyboardist extraordinaire Mike Pignataro. Mike, like James and I, is an avid lover of the Progressive Rock/Metal genre, has creativity and chops in almost superhuman doses, and is a more than welcome addition to the group. Not to sound too cheesy (there's enough of that in the original blip about James), but he's exactly what we were looking for and needed to make this project all it could and should be. He has the ability, the attitude, and the dedication (plus amazing gear!) we've been actively seeking, and we are very happy, and honored, to have him aboard.

A friend of a friend of James made this collaboration a reality. After one failed attempt to "audition" him (gotta love sharing rehearsal rooms with other bands), we finally were able to meet up. His ability was immediately obvious, and I specifically realized just how out of practice I really am. I also welcomed the fact that I need this "kick in the ass" to get my technique back to where it should be. Last week, we got together again, and Mike brought a CD of some ideas, and songs he'd written. Truthfully, James and I were both a little intimidated, as these pieces and ideas were all absolutely amazing, and even a little above us. We realized how much we were really missing creatively, seeing what he was bringing to the table. Arguably, the stuff James and I had up to that point was a little plain and ordinary in comparison.

Earlier today I went to Mike's house to work on stuff together. I have to say that we work very well together, and we have some amazing stuff in store. As soon as I get my "insane technique" chops back up to snuff. I can say that I know how John Petrucci of Dream Theater must have felt when he first worked the "Keyboard God" Jordan Rudess. Like myself (at one point), many considered him a top notch guitarist. But here was this keyboard player that was so amazing, that in order just to keep up, was going to require a huge amount of work. Since then, his technique on the guitar has continually improved, making the Petrucci/Rudess performances an amazing thing to see and hear. That's where I feel I am now, and I can say that if you think you have heard great things from me on the guitar, the best is yet to come, and I think working with Mike is going to bring my work to heights I hadn't even considered. Yes, I am totally stoked!

Tentatively titled the Borgese/Skylyr Project (or Axis Of Evil), until we think of something better.

Update 12/04/04: This is the new band. Some of you may have heard of it's beginnings. The development is still in it's infancy, but even in these early stages, this is obviously going to be a powerful collaboration. It's currently James Borgese on drums, and myself on guitar. The sound is very much progressive metal; dark, heavy, complex, etc. Expect more info here regularly, as this project is currently my main focus. I am very psyched and excited about this project, as it is precisely what I've been wanting to do for a long time. For the records, we got together and jammed for the first time on 10/14/04. It's currently on a once a week rehearsal schedule, with the increase to twice a week just around the corner.

And if anyone knows of a singer, keyboardist, or bassist in the NY/NJ area interested in this type of music, and is willing to be strongly dedicated, email me, will ya?

History

I came back to NJ to work on my music more intensely and seriously. One of the things I wanted to do was form a band. I've always wanted to form a band. However, this was not the top priority, as I knew that it would be difficult to form the band that I wanted to form. After having been in quite a few bands, I had raised the bar pretty high for what I wanted to create.

First off, the band would have have to have all of the right members. Basically, no weak links to the chain. A group of guys (or gals) that worked together brilliantly, that complemented each other terrifcally, and to be able to make something that was greater than the sum of the parts. Something that was totally unique, yet specific to all of the members. The kind of group that would be completely reliant on each member to be true to itself, in which the chemistry and interaction could not be recreated any other way. Very much the way bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Yes (in various ways), Queen, Queensryche, King's X, & Dream Theater, to name but a mere few, have created things of legend. An actual blueprint of style was not really in my head, as I knew the other bandmates would also dictate that, and it would stylistically mold into it's own (try to sum up the exact style of the few aforementioned bands, and you'll see what I mean). But in my head, it was ultimately going to be a form of some sort of Progressive Rock/Metal with overtones of various other styles.

Of critical importance is the ability for the members to be able to get along and be friends outside of the band. This is crucial for longevity. I'd sacrifice technique for mutuality any day of the week, because trying to make a band with the hot shot player with an ego will fail eventually. You can teach and practice technique, but it's much harder to teach and practice friendship and respect.

This leads into the other criteria, which was finding people who are on the same page. This is crucial for long term goals. If one guy wants to be a rock star of the highest degree to the point where he'll do anything, and a fellow bandmate, is just looking for an occasional weekend gig, there will also be problems. So a similar mindset, attitude, and goals are also of utmost importance.

I admit this is a lofty list. But at this point I know what I want in a band, and I know that if it doesn't meet these expectations, it will probably not last, and be a waste of my time. As I've been playing music for 21 years (as I write this), I'm sick and tired of wasting my time, and I've decided to be true to myself, if I'm going to do it right. All or nothing. I know it's not going to be an easy battle this way. Which is why forming "Jake's Band" was not the immediate goal for me.

When I started working at Sam Ash, I met James Borgese. He was hired into our drum department. As I was training him on our (whacked) computer systems, we got to talking about music. We were into very similar stuff (Dream Theater, Tool, and other progressive and heavy influences), which is already a hard find for me. He also told me he was looking to form a band, as his band had up and moved out to Mesa, AZ (smell the irony). I gave him a copy of my Demos CD, he liked what he heard, and we arranged a jam. Within minutes, I knew that HE was the drummer I had searched for for countless years. He played what I heard in my head, and we were able to follow each other like we had been playing together for years. Even at the FIRST REHEARSAL!!! I admit it's almost scary, but in a good way. Even now, when we are working on parts, it seems that we both make mistakes together, and have moments of genius together, in a way that seems like maybe we are riding on the same brainwaves to the whole of our music. On top of all of that, we get along great, and we have the same long term goals. We want to do this full force.

Acknowledging that we are a kickass duo (yes, Jake talking UP about himself...take note =^) ), we are actively seeking the correct "rest of the band" that gels with us, and we want to do it. Whatever it takes to make it. He has connections to clubs and labels in NYC, all we need is to get it going. And I KNOW, that with the standards we have set for ourselves, as well as how good we are (there it is again!), we can definitely make it with our music. I have no question. The response from everyone so far with what little material we have (this is new remember), is so enthusiastically positive, I have no need to question it's ability to be completely succsessful. Especially considering that it is in a style that is not as widely accepted. Progressive Metal usually has a limited fan base, and doesn't appeal much to others who don't appreciate the specific genre. But even with the environment that would naturally yield the harshest criticism, a music store with great, knowledgeable players, and the acquaintances that go along with them, all responses have been positive (as much as it can be for a few incomplete songs, being performed on just guitar and drums). This in itself concretes the fact to me that this WILL work. That we can make it. This is just the beginning.

To sum it up.....we F*&%IN' ROCK!!! \\nn//




-={E-Mail Jake}=-