Earlier this week, I reviewed newest local artist Frank Palangi's debut EP, which was released on August 31. The soloist hails from Queensbury, and has been blowing up the local rock scene with his talent, personality and good looks. I have heard nothing but good things about him and expect nothing but success from him in the future. I had a chance to talk with Frank and ask him a few novice questions about his life, inspirations and goals for his musical career.

Palangi has been in the local music scene for some time now, paying his musical dues in venues and bars around the Capital Region- Bogie's, The Upper Deck, The Linda, Trick Shots and UNOs, to name a few. His next local show will happen on Black Friday, November 25 at O'Tooles restaurant in Colonie- located in Kohl's Plaza.
What/who first inspired you to get into music? Who was your first favorite band?
I don't tell this often, but it was the film The Crow starring Brandon Lee that first made me pick up the
loading...

guitar. I thought it was really cool the guitar playing in the film and why not pick up one at the local shop. I was a big fan of the film and thought it would be cool for Halloween to dress up as the crow as well with the guitar...lol.

Metallica was the first band I loved, watched the live performances and bought all the CD's.
What/who is your biggest motivational musical inspiration?

It was Green Day and Sum 41 what I first started to learn basic power chords but then I found my calling with 80's metal. Metallica, Ozzy, Megadeth, Def Leppard was my main inspiration and favorite bands because of the structures, riffs, and fast tempo. Then came Rob Zombie, Drowning Pool, Godsmack, 3 Doors Down, and Creed for current bands of the time that started to get me to think, hey, maybe I can start to sing? I remember trying to play and sing and my mom saying you'll be able to sing and I would get frustrated and say "no mom, I can't." Little did I know.... as I was getting out of high school and learning more about modern rock, I loved bands like Three Days Grace, Rev Theory, Nickelback, Day of Fire, Hinder, and Daughtry and has now helped understand and shape to a modern audience. I love energy, melody and heart in a song and bits of pieces of all those artists come up in certain tracks I do.

I read that you tried out for a few television talent shows. Can you tell me more about them, the processes and how they worked out for you?
loading...

I tried out for America's Got Talent and The Voice. It's basically sending a video in first, and then going to NYC (about 3 1/2 hours away) and then live auditions for about 90 seconds of a cover song with waiting in line for about seven hours. I got the call back for AGT to come and do a live audition but that was about it. These shows I learned to pick people that can make more interesting TV than anything whether bad or good and some who all ready have had record contacts and etc. I might audition again for something in the future though.

You're currently in the running to open up for Sebastian Bach and Vince Neil. Can you tell me about that?
Well, in less than two weeks they are playing at Showcase Live venue in Foxboro, M.A. I went with my guitarist, Brandon Oropallo, to do a live audition there to open up for national acts. We blew the roof with just us and not a full band line up. They loved it and said they will now look at the bands playing there and hook up with the best fit. Very excited to go back there sometime soon and I'm always on the look out for local shows with national acts. I'm ready for anything now, just have to find booking companies to jump on with me.
How was the whole EP recording process and working with Rogers Masson?
It was amazing! I got to work with one of my influences "Day of Fire" (Zach Simms, Joe Pangallo, Chris
loading...

Pangallo, Josh Brown) on the record! I met them on the last show of their last tour! I believe things happen for a reason and it was meant to be. Josh the lead singer and former Full Devil Jacket singer, took my demo I had at the time and said, "hey man, I've got a 14-hour ride back to Nashville, TN. I'm going to listen to this." You don't see that often from people in big bands that actually take something and truly listen to it. Well, couple of days past and their producer, Rogers Masson, contacted me and said Josh told me about you and I'm looking forward to working with you. That was like a hitting the lottery feeling for me at that moment to hear that. From getting the songs ready, going through the structures, and lyrics with Josh Brown here over the computer in Upstate, NY to the first time flying ANYWHERE, to Nashville, TN to work on the EP record at Sound Stage Studioswhere many famous country artists and rock artists have recorded was amazing! It was an experience in itself. My cousin and my dad went down with me and I'm really blessed to have that support structure. Shinedown flew in the day I left to do some recording there, and it's the kind of thing that I couldn't believe I was doing. I got to play at the legendary Tootsie's in downtown Nashville and did some open mic places. Rogers was great to work with. He respects the artist and their views on the tracks. He's not demanding nor pushy. He loves music and has helped me have a finished product and something I can be very proud of and send out to everyone. He comes from more of an old school vintage sound and way of mixing, which added more character. I can't thank them enough for helping me out. I'm grateful as well to talk with musicians from the industry that I would have never dreamed of meeting or chatting with if not from this experience.

I see you've played a number of local venus. What would be your dream location to play and why?
loading...

Well, locally I've always wanted to play at SPAC or the Glens Falls Civic Center. I'm a simple guy and anywhere that has a crowd is fine with me. (But maybe a huge arena like the one in Nashville, would be awesome for a dream venue... seats 40,000 people \m/).

If you could play in any band, what band would it be and why?
Creed/Metallica. Well, I think Creed is a similar style with the lower bass singer and guitar melodies. I think it would be really fun to work, easy to pair up with those guys and see what we could do.
Metallica because they are my main influence and it would be awesome to work with them in the studio or be on stage with their raw energy, aggression, and heavy sound.

What do you hope to achieve as an artist? What do the next five years look like for you?

loading...

 

I hope to continue to get my music heard to a broader audience and do more radio interviews, press, to open for national acts, tour, find a record label, and most importantly just to keep pushing forward. I have a saying I tell "I have no plan B in backing down on my dreams." I see myself in next five years, touring, opening for national acts, on the radio, doing more interviews, press, making a decent living with music, being on a label, and learning more about the industry. It's a step by step process and I'm to the point where I just need a little push to head to the next direction by a booking company, label, etc. to reach a broader audience. I believe "I Am Ready" (hint next single) in my heart that I have talent and could really take things far. My next single coming out 2012 was recorded in Nashville, TN with producer Rob Coates and his team (who's worked artists, producers from David Archuleta (American Idol), Traa Daniels (P.O.D.) Producer Robert Venable (Stars Go Dim, Megadeath, Kutless). Assisting on the track, former drummer of the rock band Pillar, Lester Estelle. It's going to be a kick ass rock track with feeling and raw ambition, comparable to current mainstream rock. It's being recorded like the latest Foo Fighters album as well from Analog to Digital transfer to get that warmth and old school feeling.
I read that you had past medical issues which today makes you grateful and very passionate about your music. Can you elaborate on that?
loading...

I grew up having severe asthma and allergies since five years old. I had a stroke as well at birth and the left side of my body was affected the most. I've gone through a lot in my life from missing 30 days of school a year or more, to not being able to do sports, recess, or after school activities. School wasn't as good of a memory for me and I was very happy the day I graduated. I believe that's why I turned to music and film. I've had to pick and choose things to do that wouldn't affect my health. I can't really tell you to this day with having asthma and things how I have the voice I do today. I still have to be careful about somethings but I'm bless with what I've been able to do.

Do you hope to have a band someday or do you plan on going solo for most of your career? Why?

I believe I will always be a solo artist. I've been pushing myself and music for a few years now and it wouldn't make sense to start all over again to promote a new project from scratch. I love the idea of working with different people from recording to live band performances. Just because you're a solo artist though doesn't mean that a band couldn't work with you. There are many mainstream country solo artists and there isn't a lot of mainstream solo rock artists- that's what makes me stand out. There's a lot of time, money and focus that has been put into this project. I've worked so hard gaining progress that I have to keep moving forward. It's more than a project, it's my life.

Listen to 'I'm Waiting' off Frank's EP:

You can follow Frank via his MySpace, Facebook and Twitter pages.
His EP is available on ITunes, Amazon, and more.
Check out his music video for "Love" here.

More From Q 105.7