Marc M. Cogman

"Genius" and "virtuoso" are just two of the words that first come to mind whenever anyone describes the musical talents of Giulio Carmassi, a multi-instrumentalist who spent time playing piano, organ, Wurlitzer, drums, bass, melodica, harmonica, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and saxophone over his years with the Dead Messengers.  Believe it or not, those instruments are just a few of the things he can do.  

Giulio scores films, spent time in Vermouth (with Steve McDonald) and other bands, and is probably most well-known for his series of jaw-dropping YouTube performance videos.  Take the time.  Go see what all the fuss is about.

Kelli sang backing vocals on Welcome to the Danger Show and a couple of tracks as well on the upcoming album. Aside from being a very talented poet (her first collection, I Was There For Your Somniloquy won the Omnidawn Poetry Prize and arrives in February 2012), she makes music on her own as Miniature Soap. The fall of 2011 saw the release of her long-awaited debut album in three parts.  Listen at her website.

The hardest working mohawk in Los Angeles. Frogs recorded, performed, and collaborated with me for over ten years.  Since we met at Berklee College in Boston, I've only had one bass player. This guy.  Check out his multiple projects as musician and producer, including Leet Street Boys, listed just below... 

One of Frogs' many projects.  Check it out.

Vermouth is the retrofuture pop exotica music outfit, based in Los Angeles, and featuring my guitarist, Steve McDonald.  Check out their debut album, which arrived this past year after much anticipation.

Aris is an incredibly talented producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles who has written and recorded hits for many artists.  I first worked with him in The Neon Calm, and then utilized Archon (his amazing state-of-the-art studio) for some vocals and guitars on Welcome to the Danger Show and mixing and mastering for Beneath a Balcony.

If you're a country music fan, you probably already know the Boxmasters, a power trio who've been selling records and selling out tours all across the country.  What you may not now is that two members of the band helped make Welcome to the Danger Show. 

Mike Butler played lap steel on "Run Like Hell" and J.D. Andrew played bass on one track and mixed the album to perfection.  You may be familiar with the third member of the Boxmasters as well.  His name is Billy Bob Thornton.

This UK-based band has been around a little while, but this past year, they've begun to blow up HUGE, first in Europe and now in America as well.  And it's great to know it hasn't gone to their heads.  Drummer Jamie Morrison is a dear friend of mine, and my hands-down favorite drummer I've ever played with.  If you were one of the lucky ones you may have caught him on the drums for one of my shows at The Mint last year.

You MUST check this band out. "Never Forget You" is perhaps the best pop song I heard all year.

The best live band in the world. Period.  Even if you don't listen to the brand of blistering aggro-rock from these Boston buddies of mine, you won't be able to resist watching these guys blow the roof off your local rock club.  I've seen this band live all over the country, and every time it gets better and better.  Drummer Pat Hanlin has filled in on the drums for a few of my shows, and you can see him playing in the my music video for "I Can't Fix It".  Go listen to this band.  Or better yet, go see them LIVE.