RUSSOrock

The original rock band RUSSO is based in the cover band hotbed of northern New Jersey. Where some original musical acts have found it difficult to survive in a scene dominated by the 5-man jukebox, RUSSO’s sing-a-long modern rock tunes and energetic stage show have been drawing large numbers to venues both large and small for almost three years. RUSSO’s original music can be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of driving beats, heavy, but not overwhelming guitar work, and high-flying vocal melod...

The original rock band RUSSO is based in the cover band hotbed of northern New Jersey. Where some original musical acts have found it difficult to survive in a scene dominated by the 5-man jukebox, RUSSO’s sing-a-long modern rock tunes and energetic stage show have been drawing large numbers to venues both large and small for almost three years. RUSSO’s original music can be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of driving beats, heavy, but not overwhelming guitar work, and high-flying vocal melodies. Fans of everything from 80’s hair metal to 90’s rock alternative, to modern day rock icons like Shinedown, Hinder, Saving Abel, and Papa Roach will find something to enjoy in every RUSSO tune. When the band mixes covers of popular rock songs among its original music, show-goers find that both the cover and original songs compliment and relate to each other. This formula adds up to equal RUSSO’s quickly growing fan base. Both large and small venues have been filled with RUSSO supporters over the last two years. The band consistently draws upwards of 100 fans to small bars throughout Northern NJ, including playing to sell-out rooms at Maxwell’s (Sept 2008, Nov 2009) and O’Donnoghue’s (Feb 2010) in Hoboken. The band has also graced the stages of The Bowery Ballroom (w/The Wildhearts), The Lion’s Den, and The Bitter End in NYC. In August 2008, RUSSO performed along with Good Charlotte, Boys Like Girls, and Flo Rida at The Northern Star Arena at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ to a sell out crowd. Two shows were played at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. The first, taking place in March of 2009, was with Mr. Brownstone and Tragedy, in which the band played to a crowd of over 900 rock fans. The second was in September of the same year with 90’s pop rock icons Marcy Playground, Jimmy’s Chicken Shack, and Nine Days. The members of RUSSO are absolutely delighted to be making a third trip to Starland in May of 2010 when they will be the main supporting act for the reunion show of late 90’s rock heavyweights, Fuel. Other recent accomplishments include airplay on 105.5 WDHA-FM, William Paterson University and Montclair State University radio stations. The original song Any Last Words was selected to be a part of the soundtrack for Sticks and Stones; an anti-bullying educational film that has been distributed to all middle and high schools in NJ, with plans for national distribution. It has been featured on news broadcasts on NBC, ABC, CBS, and UPN. RUSSO recently gained press in several Northern New Jersey newspapers as the founders and organizers of Jersey Rocks For Relief, an annual charity fund-raising event. February 2010 was the inaugural Jersey Rocks For Relief Month, and raised over $5,000 for the American Red Cross.