Lloyd Chrein, of Lynbrook, plugged in his guitar pedals, preparing for a band rehearsal at Center Stage Music on 18-46 Newbridge Road in North Bellmore on Monday evening.
The members of the band, Electric Rooster, all have their own families and careers outside of the studio and gigs, but music serves as the ultimate creative outlet: allowing the group to unleash a cathartic wave of sound.
When playing, Electric Rooster feels upbeat and electrifying— as the namesake suggests.
Most listeners of rock and blues will recognize the classic songs they play, some by AC/DC, The Rolling Stones and George Thorogood & The Destroyers— while also appreciating the talent that accompanies the numbers.
“The heavens parted,” Chrein, one of the band's guitarists, said jokingly when explaining the band’s origin.
Formed almost two years ago, the members met through the craft: attending local open mic nights, and playing with fellow sonically-inspired men.
“If you wander around Long Island on Saturday night, you’re bound to run into some musicians,” Chrein said.
One night Chrein, 62, met Tony Davenport, singer and guitarist, when they played together at an open jam. The two hit it off, and ultimately joined forces with other local musicians: first, Steve Tetro, the bassist, and then Adam Pleva, the drummer of the band.
Almost weekly, the group meets in an approximately 20 x 30 feet studio to practice their set list for the following weekend’s show.
The band prides itself in its blues-centric rhythm, much of which can be credited to Davenport, 66, Vice President of the Long Island Blues Society.
Davenport, who lives in Floral Park, said some of his biggest influences are the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
“I saw all these girls screaming over the Beatle, and I said: ‘Wait a minute,’” Davenport said.
The rest was history, and Davenport picked up a guitar and started teaching himself how to play.
Tetro, 64, started playing bass when he was 15 years old. Living in Bellmore, he said he came from a heavy metal band, and intertwines some of that knowledge into Electric Rooster— when he can.
“We keep him in check though,” Davenport said, laughing.
Pleva, 54, and Chrein have a jazz background, making the group a diverse musical collaboration.
“We add a new, different kind of style to blues,” Tetra said. “We’ve got four kinds of styles here.”
He said meeting people with different musical backgrounds, or people just starting to play, make the gigs exciting and engaging.
And, Davenport said, there’s no room for making fun of people: especially those starting out.
He said his advice for novice musicians is to “manage expectations,” and only take on what feels right.
Trying to force success never breeds satisfaction, and removes the joy out of playing, he said.
Ultimately, the group agreed that the best way to get started is by networking— and making friends with like-minded musicians.
“Long Island has a lot of musicians,” Tetra said. “There’s a lot of talent on Long Island.”
Electric Rooster will perform on Feb. 1 at Lilah's Bar and Grill on 33 Main St. in East Rockaway. The band will start to play at 6 p.m., for a night of music, dancing and an open jam session.
After Electric Rooster plays its set, the members will invite guests to play with the band after.