For our next "Getting to Know Your Phase 4", we sit down with drummer James Sciaino.
Hi Jimmy. Tell us a little bit about where you're from and what got you into music.
"I was born in NJ and luckily my parents moved to Florida when I was
5. The first time I hit a drum, I was 3 years old. I started playing non-stop
when I was 12. As a young teen, into the late 70's and 80's rock, I started
listening to some great music."
Who are some of your influences?
" My influences are Journey, Y&T, Styx, Van Halen, Boston, Kansas, Queen,
Rush and some heavier stuff as well like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Krokus,
Helix, Whitesnake and the list goes on."
What training have you had?
"I've learned to play just about every style from my days back in the high
school drum corps, symphonic, orchestra, and jazz bands. But of course, I have
always bled rock and roll."
When did you start to sing for bands?
"In 1999, I started my first project. Dickmo was
my original band where I learned alot very quickly about the scene and
performing, etc... Without a lead singer at the beginning, we
auditioned several singers to no avail. In practice, I started singing and writing
a lot of songs myself and was chosen by the guys to be the lead singer in
the 3 piece project. Being shy, I slowly started coming out of my shell.
After recording a CD and playing all the local clubs around town, I could see
that the original scene was tough. Not a whole bunch of places to play and
hardly any money at all to be made to fund the project. I got the idea of
getting a cover band project together to help push the originals as well."
How did Phase 4 singer Dave Keith come into the picture?
"Looking for a singer for this project, I could only think of ONE guy that
could sing the type of songs I wanted to do. David Keith. I went to middle
and high school with Dave and had heard some of his recordings. Of course,
I had no way to get in touch with Dave until one day after visiting Sam Ash
(yes before Bax was working there), I went to CiCi's Pizza next door to eat.
I looked over and saw Dave's brother eating there!! He was one of my brother's
best friend's in school. I stopped by, chatted a bit and gave him my number
to give to Dave and the rest is history. "
What came next for the band?
"With Dave and my best friend from high school and former Dickmo bassist,
Jeff Wright, we started our search for a guitarist. After our first trial, I knew
we needed someone special for the project. We were giggin' out as
Ground Zero and making some noise around town but I knew we needed a change.
I met Brian at a jam one night and at the time, he was not interested in joining a band.
I kept his number I guess you can say... I somehow knew that I would be needing
it. I got a call from a bassist I knew and he told me to CALL Brian asap. He told
me he had bumped into Brian and he told him he was looking for a band
that was giggin'. Well I wasted no time."
How did Phase 4 bassist Bax wind up in the line up?
"After some bassist troubles (2 of them), I thought of only one guy who I would
want to be in this band. I jammed with this guy at Tracy's and knew he would
complete this all-star line up. Yes, Bax-a-Billion! I tracked him down,
found him at Crickets and asked him to come out to jam with Dave, Brian and myself.
Our first jam went so well, we knew we had found our bassist."
So, what's next on the agenda for Phase 4?
"Well, we are ready to rock Orlando hard! Our first warm up gig is Oct 21 at Holly
and Dolly's in Casselberry and we will soon be playing at all the local bars
once again as Phase 4. The question is, Are you ready??? (which happens
to be the title of my Dickmo CD. hahaha How things come full circle
huh???)"
Thanks Jimmy.