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The Bronx has a rich musical history of R’n’B, hip-hop and early ‘50s doo-wop. Crashbox singer/songwriter/guitarist Sal Scoca grew up on the same street, Belmont Avenue, that Dion came from. In fact, he has this vivid memory from when he was seven of watching Dion himself actually harmonizing on the street corner. “I was mesmerized,” remembers Scoca. “It’s what made me want to be a singer.”
The first band was called Pinwheel with best-friend drummer Pete Santagada. Their 2000 Dear Blue debut sold almost 5,000 copies at gigs and got some New York radio airplay over WLIR 92.7 FM and Z100. Gigs at New York’s Kenny’s Castaways, Acme Underground, Hard Rock Café and the numerous charity events that the band continues to play cemented their chops.
The 2001 Rock Hard follow-up saw the name change to Crashbox. Here’s where the band really gelled, contributing a song (“Radio”) to the Bronx Music, Volume 1 compilation, and winning “Best Hard Rock Band” in 2002 from the Music Resource Group’s Musicians Atlas magazine. One memorable Manhattan evening had Crashbox taking eight encores at the legendary Hard Rock Café.
Ultimately, though, Crashbox is about Power Pop, taking the essence of beloved musical heroes like Cheap Trick and Elvis Costello, and reinvigorating that joy, reinventing that original spark, to create a totally individualistic upbeat rockin’ trip. “We’re not your typical rock band and we hate being compared to other bands. We’re doing something more than just following a musical trend…we want to set it!” says Scoca, who wants to do the same for the Bronx what The Ramones did for Forest Hills.
“I grew up listening to Motley Crue and Poison,” he admits. “Most of the people here in the Bronx listen to rap now but you can’t deny a good song, and if you’ve got good tunes, you’re gonna get those people too.” A veritable songwriting machine, Scoca has penned over 200 songs, but gives his band props. “The boys add so much texture to the band’s sound,” he says. “That’s the main reason why every song can pretty much stand on it’s own. There’s no excuse for boring and generic songwriting!!” Shortly after completing the Debut Album, Angelo Fariello joined on bass and brought the band to a new level. Crashbox was now an uncompromising, hard- rockin’ live band.
Crashbox released two singles in 2007; Radio which was featured on Facebook’s top downloads and received quite a bit of play on college radio throughout the U.S. Their second single Drown was released in July of 2007 and managed to create a huge buzz on AC40 radio, reaching 6 on FMQB charts within a month.
Sal, Angelo, and Pete spent the past few months writing and recording what is to become the new Crashbox record; “Edgier, Dirtier, and really Rockin’!” says Fariello about the new material. “The fans really seem to love it and the band has a lot of fun playing it. We really tried to channel the energy and attitude of bands like The Stones, Iggy and the Stooges, Cheap Trick, and The Ramones.”
With years of constant gigging and a new record on the way, Crashbox is primed and ready. The fanatical fan following is there. They have a team behind them—industry veterans Roger Probert and Mike Pascuzzi—who truly believe. Scoca’s songs, like a young Billy Joel’s, tell stories. “That’s the most important thing,” he says. “My main deal is really focusing on making each song the absolute best it can be. We try to steer away from all that gloomy negative ‘90s bullcrap! Even in our most sarcastic songs, there’s always an uplifting moment.”
And now the band has put it all together. The self-titled Crashbox debut was the first release of Core Records, an independent label distributed by Koch Entertainment. It proves there will always be a place for solid song-driven power-pop with smarts, solid chops and muscular riffing.
HERE'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
AC PICKS: Crashbox “Drown” (Core)
Looking for a quality mid-tempo gem to satisfy your rock base? Well look no further than “Drown,” a superbly crafted, and well produced song that captures the essence. -FMQB
"The production is pure quality and it should be because lead vocalist Salvatore Scoca took the reins. This is powerpop at its finest, reminiscent of Elvis Costello vintage years. Radio starts things off and if that dont have your head snapping you better wake up. Radio is already on regular rotation on many stations and it should be. Drown is another song that will give you chills, with the melodic vocals and acoustic strumming it gives you the vibe of Butch Walker. You get twelve songs that will brighten up your day with energy. With the flamboyant style of music that Crashbox plays they will have success in a big way." 4 1/2 stars -WWW.ROCKEYEZ.COM
Crashbox is a cut above most indie rock acts. Their songs are catchy, inspired and entertaining. A lot of the songs are like updated Elvis Costello stylings, such as "Radio". In fact "Radio" is screaming out for "hit"! These guys are definetely on to something. -EARCANDY MAGAZINE
"Definitive power pop, Crashbox offer up a musical plate-full of power chords & chorus's that make Simpleplan seem lame!. "Radio" kicks off the CD & it really picks up where the Ramones left off, when they were good, & "if" they could really play! "Any Place But Here" & "September" are the 2 songs that really just hooked methey have this yearning & clingy feel to them that just makes me wanna hear them over & over again.they really feel like they have been tested & played to perfection, which is rare on a bands debut cd! If you like good, well written, pop/rock music, that's NOT watered down, but at the same time, it's NOT too heavy, then you'll dig Crashbox alot! I can see every song on this CD being a possible single!" - ROCK N' ROLL EXPERIENCE
"This awesome foursome rocks hard with some excellent tracks seemingly lifted straight from the 80s and given a modern touch. Every song took me back in time to a day when music was pure and real."- YBFREE.COM
"This band is on the verge of making a major breakthrough with a major indie record label, but is still holding true to their roots. Born and bred in The Bronx, Morris Park to be exact, Crashbox is doing their local community proud by redefining the rock game through an old school sound with a modern twist."- G-POP.NET
"Crashbox is about Power Pop, taking the essence of beloved musical heroes like Cheap Trick and Elvis Costello, and reinvigorating that joy, reinventing that original spark, to create a totally individualistic upbeat rockin trip." -EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE
" Pure pop rock genius that somehow treads such a perfect fine line between pop and rock that it alienates no one and brings us all together. This is the sound of the rest of the decade."- ROCK ON THE BRONX
"Honoring one's influences by reflecting them in your own music is a time-honored tradition in rock, and on their self-titled debut album, the four members of Crashbox certainly do so, beginning with the heavily Elvis Costello-influenced opening track "Radio." Then "Life of the Party" packs enough of a power pop punch to keep things moving along nicely.Crashbox has the goods, and it is to their great credit that they don't rely on cheap gimmicks; their sound is big and polished without being overly so, and they are certainly radio- and MTV-friendly enough."- TOXIC UNIVERSE
" From the album's opening song, "Radio", you can tell these guys have a good pop sensibility. The songs are catchy and hook-laden, crafted to catch your ear and get your head nodding. Songs such as "Life of the Party" and "Standing on the Hill" are guaranteed to please fans of the genre."-INSIDE PULSE
"The Bronx hottest rock band"- BRONX TIMES REPORTER
"I stumbled into this album while checking out the new releases on eMusic. it's fun, good summertime music."Radio" is the standout track. It's the kind of song that has a catchy chorus that you find going through your head later in the day."-Skippythelizard.com
" The Immediate single "Radio" starts the record off like a declaration of intentions, and "Life of the Party" (opening lines "I thought I would be/Something more than ordinary/But I'm waiting around/I'm just counting back from ten.") drives the point home."-INDIEVILLE
"This band rocks hard and kicks major ass!"- Rock Icon, Billy Childs
