STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Local musicians -- who can’t play live shows during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic -- are using their talent and ability to draw a big crowd to help raise money for music venues struggling to survive.
Ten Ton Mojo -- a band that includes Westerleigh-based drummer Paul Kane and former Staten Islander Chris Laubis, who plays bass -- are doing everything they can to help struggling venues across New York City, including Arlene’s Grocery and Bowery Electric in Manhattan, which have hosted them over the years.
On January 30, Ten Ton Mojo will be performing a live stream concert with Richie Scarlet, know as “the Emperor of Rock,” to benefit Bowery Electric. Scarlet has been a driving force behind Ace Frehley, Sebastian Bach and Mountain. And he’s played with everyone from Alice Cooper to Chubby Checker. Currently, he’s promoting his new single, The Emperor and the Catman, featuring Peter Criss of Kiss.
Ten Ton Mojo also filmed a performance as one of the more than a dozen of the best original New York rock bands to benefit Arlene’s Grocery, which will be aired on January 31.
“The pandemic of 2020 has crushed the entertainment industry. By purchasing a ticket to a live stream event, you are helping to save our stages,” said Laubis.
Countless musicians, sound engineers, stage hands and promoters have lost their livelihoods overnight. And the members of Ten Ton Mojo said they felt their share of pain. The band lost dozens of bookings and wasn’t sure how they were going to survive. They were in the middle of an album project under the wing of veteran producer Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne/Ian Hunter/Bad Company), and couldn’t even get back into the studio to finish, Laubis said.
“I’m always thinking that, as a working musician, it’s up to me to keep live music alive. I try to do that at every show by giving the best performance I can and by making sure that I take the time to develop personal connections with the people who come to see us,” Laubis said.
GETTING LOCAL VENUES TO FEATURE THE LIVESTREAM
Kane, Laubis and their bandmates are working to get NYC, Long Island and Upstate N.Y. venues that are open to play the live streaming events to help draw attention to the need to save music venues across the city.
Kane told the Advance/SILive.com that he is hoping other clubs, bars and restaurants will download the link to Ten Ton Mojo’s live streams next weekend so that the concerts can be seen by as many people as possible.
“Using today’s technology, these venues can work cooperatively to help themselves and continue to support the music scene,” said Kane, who has been a big proponent of restoring the once vibrant rock music scene to Staten Island.
Tickets for the Jan. 30 livestream can be found here. And tickets for the Jan. 31 livestream can be purchased here.
READY FOR LIVE SHOWS POST PANDEMIC
Ten Ton Mojo continues to write and prepare for the day they can return to the stage in front of a live audience. Through these tough times, came a song called “Bad Love.” To record the new tune, Ten Ton Mojo enlisted the help of drummer extraordinaire Matt Starr (Ace Frehley/Mr. Big), who produced the track for the band.
Founded by former lead singer Ernie Pap, and guitarist Scott Lano and Kane, the NYC-based band, Ten Ton Mojo, got its start in 2011 and has been playing gigs across the Tri-State area and beyond ever since. The band is known for pure guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll.
Ten Ton Mojo is known for its songs that are a blend of hard rock mixed with soulful blues -- with a touch of southern charm thrown in. Their single “Pinball Girl” is featured in the indie movie, “Pinball Donut Girl.” In addition, a remixed version of their track “One and Only” has been featured in Suzuki’s ATV ad campaign.
The band’s current lineup is frontman Dave Anthony Seubert, Kane on drums/vocals, rhythm and lead guitarists Lano and Christian Realmuto, and Laubis on bass/vocals.
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