Who Are Those Guys

ORIGINAL VOICES at The Vail-Leavitt Music Hall – Jesse Haynes -Blog
(February 2009)

Feb's Feature was called Who Are Those Guys , aka WATG. Now I'd never actually made it to a WATG gig, despite hearing really good things about them for years (these things happen when you have to make your own gigs, too!) So that coupled with the fact that Eastenders Coffee House was 'closing' (NOT! Visit www.eastenderscoffeehouse.com for full details!) at the end of February prompted me to get my butt in gear & finally invite WATG to be the feature @ OVaV. Now a little background - Lindsay Reeves is a member of WATG and the owner of Eastenders Coffee House, along with his wife Diane Reeves.
Who Are Those Guys are an amazing group of talented guys who have all different backgrounds in music. It's like the best of more than one world - with so many different voices, all unique, all strong. And they blend without hesitation, with perfect intention, with the sound of a seasoned but not burnt band of friends. The songwriting is so good that you find yourself wondering if every song is a cover they've given their own flavor. And when you realize that each song is written by one of the many different members of the band, that just leaves you feeling even more appreciative of their combined talent. The production on each song is worked out to a Tee and is executed perfectly as well. I really loved the tremelo guitar, percussion & the harp & other fine details made the songs so intricate & really kept your attention. They were just fantastic & everyone that came down really enjoyed what they had to give. I can't thank you guys enough for such an inspiring show!!!!!! Please come back ASAP WATG!!!!
- Jesse Haynes

More people are going to wonder “Who are those
guys?” and be answering their own question, now that
the band with that name recently had a song on CBS.

Who Are Those Guys is a local band with a core of six musicians from Mount Sinai, Riverhead and
Mattituck. A portion of their song “If You Ain’t Got the Money” was featured on the CBS network series
“Without a Trace” in April, and the band has regular gigs at local venues such as Four Doors
Down in Mattituck, Michael’s at the Boardwalk in Riverhead and
recently played in the Cutchogue St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The three Mattituck members, Marty Attridge, Doug Attridge
and Jim Gorman, have been playing together for about 30 years.

Pat Petrosini of Mount Sinai joined the band about 20 years ago, Tom
Daly of Ronkonkoma signed up about seven years ago, and Lindsay Reeve, owner of East End Coffee House in Riverhead, has been with the group for about three years.

Band members have moved closer to each other over the years. They say having everyone nearby now makes it easier for them to do gigs, and that Mr. Reeve’s deep roots in Riverhead have helped them
network locally. Having their songs on the Internet (on I-Tunes, Amazon.com, CDbaby, and other sites) also has helped get their music heard.

It was through the Internet that a music publisher and then CBS heard their music and decided to give them a call.

“I signed on a Thursday … and it ended up being on [the show] on Sunday,” said Marty Attridge.

Who Are Those Guys’ music is “neo-classic rock at its best,” according to their Web site, www.whoarethoseguys.com. Other musicians the band members list as
influences include Neil Young, Tom Petty, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bob Dylan. They said they all have different musical preferences — such as funk,
jazz, country and bluegrass — that influence their music, but mostly the songs are original ones in a classic rock style.

“How many times are you going to hear the same
stuff?” asked Mr. Gorman about
classic rock. “It’s good, but it’s old.”
Of their music he said, “It’s new stuff with the same kind of sound, so it’s refreshing.”

The Attridge brothers write most
of the band’s music and they all
learn the new songs when they rehearse to record new albums. Mr.
Petrosini said fans can rely on their
songs sounding like what they hear
on recordings; they aren’t electronically tweaked. But Mr. Gorman said there’s always some improvisation during performances, too, so the songs sound fresh every time.

One of their biggest local gigs was
a 25th anniversary concert at Vail
Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead in
2004. It was the first sold-out show
the venue ever had, according to the band.

Playing every weekend is a big
commitment, but band members
say their families are supportive.
Mr. Gorman actually met his wife,
Liza Coppola, when she was performing one night at Eastender's Coffee House. Band members say their wives have become friends, and the band is like a family of its own. They
get more out of it than the cash at
the end of the night, they say.

“We musically connect sometimes,
where it’s the best feeling, better than anything,” said Mr. Patrosini.
“It’s a great release,” said Mr.
Reeve. “No matter what the rest of
your week has been like, a gig or two on the weekend just wipes it clean.”

In addition to regular paying gigs,
they do several benefit concerts every year. Next weekend, they’ll be playing at a Cutchogue fundraiser for Community Action of Southold Town, an organization that provides food, clothing and other assistance for people in need.

Band members refer to their music’s
recent airing on CBS as both a
strike of lightning and a natural result of building up their reputation. They said they enjoy playing locally but are open to branching out, too. “We should be at the next level,” said Mr. Petrosini. “I think — I know — we’re that good.”

And what is the next level? Band
members mention larger venues,
more festivals, and more money.
“I really don’t know,” said Mr. Petrosini. “But I can’t wait to find out,” said Mr. Reeve.
- Suffolk Times 8/23/07