Desperate Measures: News

DM rocked NYC again in September with a world class show at The Triad. The full ten-piece band was in tow, with scorching performances by Tony Spatarella (guitar), Brian Pareschi (trumpet), Mark Hynes (sax) and Mike Fahie (trombone), tempered by the sweet soulful sounds of DM voices Joyce Stovall, Keith Fluitt and Byron Crawford Smith. A very enthusiastic crowd was treated to a new a cappella version of "This Ageless Beauty," as well as the first ever live performance of DM's classic ballad "Goodbye, Goodnight," featuring a tenor sax solo by the brilliant Mark Hynes. The band will be performing in Florida over the winter months, and then it's back into the studio to perfect an all-new, all-star show for debut in Spring 2009. Until then, check out the Photos section for lots of new band and fan shots from the show, and the Guestbook for comments. And be sure to leave your own comment on the show for the band!

DM GANG RETURNS TO THE TRIAD ON SEPTEMBER 18TH! It's official: the whole DM crew will be back on stage together at The Triad, 158 West 72nd Street (between Broadway and Columbus, on the second floor, right above the "Seven" restaurant), on Thursday, September 18th. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the set begins at 8:00 p.m. (By special arrangement with The Triad, DM is the ONLY act on the roster that night, so we WILL begin on time!) If you were there last time, you know what a great show it was, and what a cool little theatre this is. Admission is $10 at the door, and there is a two-drink minimum (cash only please). DM's all-star ten-piece ensemble is preparing a very special show, with lots of surprises, so don't miss it and REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

VIVA LAS BYRON! If you thought you recognized that cowpoke singing lead in the country band in that "Viva Viagra" TV commercial, you were right. It was none other than DM's very own Byron Crawford Smith, looking spiffy in cowboy hat and grey locks, and spinning Elvis in his grave by singing about the joys of overcoming E.D. to the tune of "Viva Las Vegas." Not that we think Byron uses the stuff himself, but we're planning to give him a little extra stage space at the September 18th show, just in case.

"GOODBYE, GOODNIGHT" SOUND CLIP DEBUTS. It's back to the Two Can Play CD for this latest sound clip, a jazzy ballad written and first recorded by Bill and Rob in the late '70s. "'Goodbye, Goodnight' has always been one of our favorite songs," says Rob. "We recorded it as a piano/vocal at Mediasound in 1977, and tried it again at Stonehouse Studio in the early '90s, when Bill was recording for Laurie Records." The brothers rewrote some of the lyrics in 2003 and used the track to close DM's debut CD release. Little-known fact: That's Rob, not Bill, featured doing the tasty piano solo in the middle of the song. Rob stepped up after the South Florida saxman originally tapped for the session delivered a track that was more cheesy than jazzy.

TALK TO US! The band loves hearing from our fans, and even our critics. Click on the "Guestbook" section of this site and leave a rant or rave for all to see, or e-mail us privately at theband@desperatemeasurescd.com. We promise we'll write back!

BUY THE CDs! Go directly to www.cdbaby.com/desperatem3 for DM's latest and greatest Speaking in Tongues CD, www.cdbaby.com/desperatem2 for the limited edition True Confessions CD, and www.cdbaby.com/desperatem for Two Can Play. Or go digital by downloading DM songs at Apple iTunes.

The titanic ten-piece DM live band will return to the famous Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street in New York City, for one show only, on Thursday, September 18th, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door, and there is a two-drink minimum. If you missed DM's June show at this great venue, do yourself a favor and MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MISS THIS ONE! As always, remember to tell your friends!

6/12/08 SHOW AT TRIAD A HIGH-ENERGY LOVEFEST! What a great night at The Triad on June 12th! An amazing crowd poured out tons of love and energy from the sultry opening notes of "Guilty Pleasures" through the final bars of a smokin' hot live version of "The Letter," with solos by Tony Spatarella (guitar), Mark Hynes (tenor sax), Brian Pareschi (trumpet) and Michael Fahie (trombone), Other surprises included Rob's first-ever live performance of "Desiree" (from DM's Speaking in Tongues CD) and Bill's piano/vocal solo "Invisible Guy" (from Two Can Play). The DM vocal group, Joyce Stovall, Byron Crawford Smith and Keith Fluitt (the last fresh from a killer performance earlier that day with Patti Labelle, see below), was sweet, smooth and soulful throughout, and Ethan Hartshorn (drums) kept it in the pocket all night. Watch this space for another DM date soon! Many thanks to Triad manager Lee Summers, Tonya Pierce (sound), Bill Smith (stage), Neil Sunkel (door) and Maryanne Barretti (photos) for all their help in making the evening a total success. Check out the love notes in the Guestbook and, if you were there, leave a message of your own or e-mail DM at theband@desperatemeasurescd.com. And, if you're not on it already, please send us your e-mail address so you won't miss any future live dates or other DM news!

KEITH FLUITT PERFORMS WITH PATTI LABELLE ON CBS EARLY SHOW. No, it wasn't your imagination. If you were wiping the sleep from your eyes while watching the CBS Early Show on the morning of June 12, 2008, that was indeed our very own Keith Anthony Fluitt on vocals backing one of the true divas of R&B, the great Patti Labelle. Patti and Keith and band ripped through a kickin' version of one of Labelle's signature tunes, Allen Toussaint's classic "Lady Marmalade," and both were in great voice – no small feat, considering the segment aired live before 8:00 a.m. that morning!

NEW BAND & FAN PHOTOS. Check out this month's Photos section for some great shots of the show at The Triad, as well as a bunch of new fan photos. And, if you have any of your own photos you would like to share, from that evening or otherwise, please e-mail them to us at theband@desperatemeasurescd.com. We love our fans, and we especially love posting their pics on our site!

"REMEMBER WHEN" HITS THE CLIPS. This month's new sound clip is yet another select cut from the unreleased 1994 Bill Sunkel/Rob Sunkel collection, "Remember When." "This song is about how people let the energy in a relationship die because they get so focused on their day-to-day obligations and troubles," explains Bill. "I think most of us can relate to the lines 'You work a long hard day/And every word you say/Carries the weight of the world/Upon it.'" The track features Bill on lead vocals and piano, Rob on bass and backing vocals, Dave Fields on guitar, Rich "Spiro" Shapiro on drums and Josh Schneider on sax. Check it out in the Music section of this site!

ONLY A FEW COPIES OF DM'S LIMITED EDITION TRUE CONFESSIONS CD REMAIN. They're going fast, so get yours today at www.cdbaby.com/desperatem2. And remember to check out all the great DM CDs on CD Baby, including their latest and greatest, Speaking in Tongues (www.cdbaby.com/desperatem3).

The boys are back in town on Thursday, June 12th, at Triad, 158 West 72nd Street between Columbus Avenue and Broadway, New York City. DM will perform one show with its all-star ten-piece band, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door, and there is a two-drink minimum (cash only please). This is a great theatre, and DM is planning a very special set, so don't miss it – and be sure to tell your friends! For more information, go to www.triadnyc.com.

More than thirty years after Obi Wan cautioned Luke about the Mos Eisley Spaceport cantina (yeah, I had to look it up), "You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy," we have a new champion: Don Hill's. After repeatedly reneging on their commitments, including pushing back DM's previously guaranteed 8:00 p.m. start time, the club was ultimately unable to even promise ANY stage time for the band. Rather than expose our loyal and wonderful fans to Don Hills' abuse, we decided to cancel the May 8th show and find a more worthy venue. A real shame, since the band was in phenomenal shape and ready to KILL, and so many people were looking forward to it. But please keep checking this site -- we promise that we will be announcing new (and better) dates in the near future!

NEW DM VIDEO ON YOUTUBE. DM's second video is now on-line. Check it out on DM's new, dedicated YouTube site, http://youtube.com/user/DesperateMeasuresCD. Produced by Bill and Tom Smith, the video features a live performance of "Everything Breaks," one of the signature tracks from DM's most recent CD, Speaking in Tongues (www.cdbaby.com/desperatem3). And make sure you leave a comment in the Guestbook letting us know how you like it!

ANOTHER NAIL FOR THE HEART. This month's archive sound clip another from Bill and Rob's classic 1994 Stonehouse Studio EP, "Every Day I Fall in Love." "It is an atypically romantic song for us," says Bill, "a very simple ballad that I think still stands up well today." Let us know what you think. E-mail us at theband@desperatemeasurescd.com, or leave a message in the Guestbook.

WHAT SOPRANOS STAR TURNED UP AT THE MONTANA RELEASE PARTY AND SHOWCASE, AND WILL HE RETURN FOR THE DON HILL'S SHOW? Seems you never know who will show up at a DM appearance. Fellow rocker and Westchester, N.Y. native Michael Imperioli, a.k.a. Christopher Moltisanti, popped in to check out DM in November. Who knows who may make an appearance at the Don Hill's show? Stay tuned . . . .

DM ANNOUNCES ANOTHER NYC SHOW. It's official! Desperate Measures will bring its all-star, ten-piece killer live ensemble to Don Hill's, 511 Greenwich Street (at the corner of Spring Street) in Greenwich Village in New York City for one night only, Thursday, May 8th. The set will begin at 8:00 p.m., and will feature tracks from all three DM CDs, as well as a few surprises, so make sure you MARK YOUR CALENDAR! We're looking to break some records here, so make sure you bring your friends! For directions to the club and other essential information, go to www.donhills.com.

DM VOCALIST APPEARING ON LIFETIME TV. Mr. Smooth & Soulful himself, Keith Fluitt of our very own Notorious D.M.V. ("Desperate Measures Voices") writes, "If any of you find yourselves at home on Friday nights at 9:00 p.m., please listen for me on a new dance show on the Lifetime network called 'Your Mama Don't Dance.'" The show, hosted by ex-Beverly Hills 90210 star Ian (that's pronounced "Eye-On") Ziering, is a "reality competition" among ten pairs of professional dancers and their dance-novice parents. "Your Mama Don't Dance" began its limited six-week run on Friday, February 29th, so make sure you check it (and especially Keith) out!

"LOST" SOUND CLIP DEBUTS. This month's sound clip is another from the 1994 sessions at Stonehouse Studios. "We recorded 'Lost at Love' with a full live band, real drums and horns," recalls Bill. "I originally envisioned the track more as a reggae, and as a matter of fact Rich Mars and the Martians played it that way live a few times. But (drummer) Rich 'Spiro' Shapiro did this quasi-merengue thing that put a great new twist on it." The rest of the band is Rob on bass, Dave Fields and the late George Spehar on acoustic guitars, Josh Schneider on sax and Bill Warfield on trumpet. Carl Casella engineered and produced. It would be thirteen years before DM appeared with a full horn section again, at the Montana Studios show in late 2007. Check out this closet classic, and let us know whether you think it should be part of the new DM live repertoire.

REMEMBER TO WATCH DM'S FIRST LIVE MUSIC VIDEO EVER ON YOU TUBE! DM's first-ever video, "You Really Opened My Eyes" is now playing on You Tube. Just click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z52eej4biOU now. Video producers Bill and Tom Smith promise more great DMTV soon!

BUY YOUR DESPERATE MEASURE CDS ON CD BABY, OR GET YOUR DOWNLOADS ON APPLE iTUNES TODAY! To get your copy of DM's great new studio CD, Speaking in Tongues, just click on www.cdbaby.com/desperatem3 now! Or, complete your collection with DM's Two Can Play (www.cdbaby.com/desperatem) and True Confessions (www.cdbaby.com/desperatem2) CDs. For all you iPodders, Apple iTunes also has tracks from all three CDs available. Indie music forever!

OFFICIAL DM PHOTOGRAPHER BILL SMITH PUBLISHES BOOK OF PHOTOS FROM DM MONTANA SHOWCASE. The BSArtist himself has assembled a great collection of photos from DM's November concert in New York City. Whether you were at the show and want a special souvenir, or you just want to see what you missed out on, make sure you click on http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/92257/fded822ccb51a65fbdd2d60d288926f9 (available in both hard and soft cover).

FANS LOVE DM'S FIRST EVER LIVE MUSIC VIDEO. The live video of "You Really Opened My Eyes" is now available on You Tube, and DM fans have weighed in. Squireman 72 enthused "Awesome song! Great performance!" Venus2477 told us "I LOVE this song!!!!" (We love you back, Venus!) And 61Spaceman commented "Great job on the vid. If you were there, you know what a great show it was. If you weren't, the video doesn't really capture the audience response or the great energy of the night. Don't miss the next one." Check it out by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z52eej4biOU. And remember to leave a comment!

DM PLANS TO ANNOUNCE DATE FOR SECOND NYC SHOW SOON. Keep watching your e-mail for an announcement about DM's upcoming encore performance in New York City. Possible venues include Crash Mansion and The Bitter End. In addition, a South Florida show is in the works, perhaps at The Buddha Lounge. The ten-piece live ensemble is getting ready, and we hope to see you there.

NEW LIVE AUDIO CLIP DEBUTS. Click on the Music section of this website to check out another live clip from the November 2007 show in Manhattan. "'Guilty Pleasures' was the evening's opener, and you can hear the adrenaline as Rob, Tony and I took the stage in New York for the first time in twenty years!" said Bill. "The song is a fan favorite from the Speaking in Tongues CD, and it was a real treat to have the horn section, led by Brian Pareschi on trumpet, up there with us." Let us know what you think by posting a message in the Guestbook, or by sending an e-mail to the guys at theband@desperatemeasurescd.com.

FORMER PARIAH KEYBOARDIST FRANK SQUILLANTE IS ALIVE & WELL. We caught his new band, Rattlin' Hum, at Tigin Pub in Stamford on January 19th, and the house rocked. (Could a full-blown Pariah reunion be in the cards? Let us know what you think!) We also recently had the opportunity to check out a great new CD written, performed and recorded by Frank's son, Mike Squillante, which we are hoping will be available to the public soon. We promise to keep you posted about this exciting young talent!

BUY YOUR DESPERATE MEASURES CDS ON CD BABY TODAY – For DM's great new Speaking in Tongues CD, go to www.cdbaby.com/desperatem3. For the limited edition True Confessions CD, click on www.cdbaby.com/desperatem2 today (only a few copies remain). For the original Two Can Play CD, go to www.cdbaby.com/desperatem. And, remember to check out Tony Spatarella's CDs at www.cdbaby.com/tonyspatarella and www.cdbaby.com/changes.

"I WANT MY DMTV!" - DM's first ever music video is now on-line and available on YouTube. Filmed, edited and produced by the Smith Brothers (Bill and Tom, not those cough drop guys), the performance video features a song from the November 2007 NYC show, "You Really Opened My Eyes." Check it out, post a rating, leave a comment, and rock on with your bad self. Make it go viral by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z52eej4biOU. And keep watching this site for links to more DM videos!

DM PLANS ENCORE SHOW IN NYC – DM has announced that it will bring its ten-piece all-star live ensemble to New York City again in February for another live performance. If you missed the great show at Montana Studios in November, this is your second chance to see DM perform songs from all three of their studio CDs live. And, if you were at the Montana show, you'll want to come back and hear this great live band again and again. As always, there will be a few surprises in store, so keep watching this space for an announcement regarding the date and venue!

RUMORS OF DM FLORIDA SHOW CONTINUE – For those South Florida DM fans who could not make it up North for the NYC shows, there are rumblings of an upcoming DM show in your neck of the woods. If it happens, the performance will likely be a more intimate one, featuring the DM "Core Four" – Bill Sunkel (piano, vocals), Rob Sunkel (bass, vocals), Tony Spatarella (guitar, vocals) and Ethan Hartshorn (drums, percussion). Stay tuned for details!

MORE PHOTOS OF DM SHOWCASE AT MONTANA STUDIOS – If you can't get enough pics of the November showcase in NYC, official DM photographer, videographer and graphic artist Bill Smith has compiled a comprehensive photographic history of the evening, including even more shots of the band, crew and fans. Check out http://bsartist.com/DM2007/.

ENCORE CLIP FROM MONTANA SHOW DEBUTS ON LINE – This month features another live clip from the band's November 2007 showcase. "The great Ray Charles tune 'Unchain My Heart' was our last encore of the evening," explains Bill. "It really gave the amazing players we had with us that night a chance to stretch out a bit and show their stuff. Our great vocal group [Joyce Stovall, Keith Fluitt and Byron Crawford Smith] was also totally wailing on that one!" Check out the featured solos by instrumentalists Tony Spatarella (guitar), Mark Hynes (tenor sax), Brian Pareschi (trumpet) and Mike Fahie (trombone). "And, as always, Ethan and Rob kept the whole thing locked down nice and tight." Go to the Music section of this website, and enjoy!

BUY YOUR DESPERATE MEASURES CDS ON CD BABY TODAY – For DM's great new Speaking in Tongues CD, go to www.cdbaby.com/desperatem3. For the limited edition True Confessions CD, click on www.cdbaby.com/desperatem2 today (only a few copies remain). For the original Two Can Play CD, go to www.cdbaby.com/desperatem. And, remember to check out Tony Spatarella's CDs at www.cdbaby.com/tonyspatarella and www.cdbaby.com/changes.

For those who missed it, the Desperate Measures CD release party and NYC showcase was a huge success, featuring an amazing new band, killer tunes from all three DM CDs (as well as a few surprises), a funky room and a great crowd. Our utmost gratitude to Bill and Tom Smith, who captured the evening on videotape and film, as well as Maryanne Barretti, Neil Sunkel, Mary Neithercoat and Mark Konkel, without whose efforts the show could not have happened. And, most of all, thanks to all the new and old friends who came by to wish us well and support the Speaking in Tongues CD, including legendary sound engineer Carl Casella, ex-Pariah keyboardist Frank Squillante and many, many others. Check out photos and a sound clip from the show on this site, and continue to watch this space for news about more upcoming DM shows!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29th marks the debut of the DM live show at the legendary Montana Studios in Manhattan (823 Eleventh Avenue at 56th Street, 4th Floor, 8:00 p.m. start time). Watch this space over the next few weeks for photos and sound clips from the performance (as well as news re: possible future dates), but for now, meet the members of the band . . . .

TONY SPATARELLA (guitar) – You already know Tony from his compelling work on DM's studio CDs, but his searing lead guitar brings a whole new dimension to the group's live show. In addition to his work with DM, Tony has an amazing collection of his own songs now available on CD Baby, In the Poison Grove (www.cdbaby.com/tonyspatarella).

ETHAN HARTSHORN (drums) – A member of New York City's own experimental and eclectic Cosmic Jug Band, Ethan has also recorded with greats like Steely Dan guitarist Jon Herington. He provides the backbone of DM's killer rhythm section.

BRIAN PARESCHI (trumpet) – Fresh from performances with Wynton Marsalis and at the Kennedy Center, Brian assembled and arranged the horns for the DM live band. In addition, Brian has worked with The Quincy Jones Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Lincoln Center Orchestra and Christian McBride.

MIKE FAHIE (trombone) – DM's Great White North connection, he's played with Canadian artists such as Vic Vogel, Andre Leroux and Holly Larocque, as well as singer Michael Buble.

MARK HYNES (tenor sax) – Coming to New York City via Detroit and Chicago, this outstanding player has worked with Quincy Jones, Patty Lupone, Lew Soloff (formerly of Blood, Sweat & Tears) and The O'Jays, to name but a few.

JOYCE STOVALL (vocals) – Her smile is contagious, her voice pure honey. She's graced the concert stage with luminaries like Dave Stewart and Brian McKnight. You've seen her in films like Donnie Brasco, and she's written for the great Grover Washington, Jr. We are thrilled that Joyce graciously agreed to put together the DMV (Desperate Measures Voices) for the live show.

KEITH FLUITT (vocals) – Smooth and soulful Keith Fluitt has recorded and toured with such renowned artists as Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin and Ashford & Simpson. He was also a principal band vocalist in the original cast of the Broadway production of Hot Feet, featuring the music of Earth, Wind & Fire.

BYRON CRAWFORD SMITH (vocals) – Last but not least, Byron has performed with artists as varied as Rob Thomas, Cyndi Lauper, Daryl Hall, Garth Brooks and Bruce Springsteen. If he looks familiar, you should know that he's appeared on numerous television shows, including Law & Order, Sex and the City and The Sopranos. With both of the Garden State's biggest "bosses" (i.e., Springsteen and Soprano) in his corner, it looks like this New Jersey native has done it all!