77LeSabre

When getting ready to cruise, some
good straight ahead Rock-and-
Roll is what you are gonna need.
77 LeSabre brings good straight
ahead Rock-and-Roll your way
on their CD, Ride. With better
fi nal production, this CD could be
really good. I see it as a steady
listen while cruising to and from
the shore. The songs are well put
together, the lyrics are good and the music doesn’t sound the same song after song. Some of the songs that stood out: “Disgruntled”, “Break the
Chains” and “Ocean”. From the first
song to the last, Ride did keep my
attention. I bet these guys put on a
great live show.

Markus - Compendium

These are busy times for 77 LeSabre. Ahead of the launch of their debut CD, Ride, members of LeSabre still found time to sit down for an interview with Maelan Magazine.

by: HDCII

Harvey:
According to your profile, 77 LeSabre is a band whose diverse influences paint a landscape of rock in their music. 77LeSabre delivers the goods. A quintet whose sound changes depending on who you talk to, one must climb into the LeSabre to get a good appreciation for the music. How did you pick that name?

77 LeSabre:
It was the first car that vocalist Jim Santora owned. The band was in a crunch to have a name with a last minute show booked at Club 218 in Philadelphia. Pretty much Kurt Dillon (guitar) and Jim made the decision on the band name.

Harvey:
Who is 77 LeSabre?

77LeSabre:
The band started in April 2005 with Jim Santora and guitarist Jason Mento. In June, bassist Paul Pernice jumped on board when suddenly, Mento had to step down. The band searched and found Kurt Dillon. In the meantime, drummer Gregg Bormann was behind the kit. After about a month of practicing, 77 LeSabre played it's first gig August 25th. 77 LeSabre has pressed on from there playing various venues. The band during this time added guitarist Ed Hermann to make the band a quintet, branching the sound out even further. In February 2006, Bormann left the band and enter James "Billy" Holmes to pound away on the drumkit.

Harvey:
What would you tell musicians aspiring to enter the New Jersey music scene?

77 LeSabre:
The New Jersey scene is very interesting. There are not many venues that cater to original music. Since we are closer to Philadelphia, most of the South Jersey bands become part of that scene. Atlantic City is starting to try and build a scene.

Harvey:
How does an East Coast audience respond to Southern blues?

77 LeSabre:
We are not totally a Southern Blues band, yet we have songs that have that flavor. We get a pretty good reaction for all of the songs we perform.

Harvey: How can fans get in contact with you?

77 LeSabre:
Fans can check us out for now at www.myspace.com/77lesabre or at www.betarecords.com/77lesabre . They can also e-mail us at 77lesabre@betarecords.com .

Harvey:
You have made songs and videos of live performances available for download on the Internet and have advertised yourselves on several websites, including MySpace. On the other hand, now that you soon will have copyrighted material available for sale, what is your opinion about peer-to-peer file sharing? Do you think, on balance, the Internet has helped or harmed musicians?

77Le Sabre:
I think the Internet has helped music or at least get more artists exposed than ever before. For example, before the Internet, I think it would be much harder to get 77 LeSabre exposure. However, just on MySpace alone, we have fans from all over the world. People that we hope will buy this record and spread the word. I think there are just so many opportunities today and bands just need to take advantage of them. If you don't move forward and find ways to promote yourself, then you will be left behind. You could have the greatest sound, the next Led Zeppelin, but if you don't take the tools you have to bring it to the masses, no one will ever know.

Harvey:
What is your general opinion of the current state of music?

77 Le Sabre:
It's very interesting because there is so much out there. It seems like every band (at least the younger bands) are some type of emo or screamo metal band. This could be a fad much like Glam Metal and Rap Metal. You're never really sure about the current state because it always changes. That's the cool part about music and keeps it interesting.

Harvey:
Rock n Roll Express Entertainment is your label. It is also based out of Franklinville, New Jersey. If your CD takes off, would you consider an offer from a major label? How would you balance the needs of greater exposure and distribution to artistic and financial independence?

77 LeSabre:
If it all happens, we will take it one day at a time. We will still put out music the way we see. I don't believe there is one person in this band that would want to sell out for lack of a better word. 77LeSabre wants to put out great music, period. We will never sacrifice that for anything. When that day comes, then I would say that would be the day the band fades away.

Harvey:
How have you prepared for success?

77 Le Sabre:
We will stay for the most part in the New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware area. We qualified for the BoDog Music Battle of the Bands in August, so we will see where that takes us. Also, we would like to hit New York, Maryland and other parts of Pennsylvania if the opportunity arises. We just want to put out good music and play shows with a lot of energy that the crowd can get into. If thats for 5 or 5000, we plan on putting out the same effort. So if success comes our way, I dont think it will change us much.

Har - Maelan Magazine

Aug. 24, Music Hall Tesla, the pop metal band from the '80s and '90, reunited in 2001 and is continuing its musical journey. The band headlines at the Music Hall Thursday, Aug. 24, at 9pm. Tickets are $22, $25 and $27. Also on the bill is 77LeSabre.

The California-based band played no frills pop-metal in the era of make-up obsessed rockers. The All-Music Guide says, “Tesla's music was bluesy, no-frills, '70s-style hard rock; it concentrated more on solid musicianship than enormous, arena-ready choruses (or hairdos), and it had a noticeable grit.” The original line-up remains intact: vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, bassist Brian Wheat, and drummer Troy Luccketta. The Great Radio Controversy (1989), brought stardom with the hit “Love Song.” Their album Five Man Acoustical Jam offered the hit “Signs,” and directly inspired MTV's Unplugged series. The band's latest release is Into the Now (2004). Besides its own tour, the band has been performing with Def Leppard this summer.


- Atlantic City Weekly

Finally a great Rock N Roll Band from the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. They bring the best elements of REM, Pearl Jam and AC/DC together without sounding like a rip off of any of them. The CD starts with a boot to the head in the form of the song Disgruntled. You will be humming the song in your head for days. Whisper Never Tames could be a radio hit. It's a ballad but not a sappy one. Break The Chains is not a Dokken cover but better then most of the stuff that Dokken has ever written. Yearbook is one of the strongest songs on the CD. The lyrics are thought provoking and had me thinking of things in my past. It's a song that will be personal to each listener. Song About You and Tonight's the Night (For Love) are great Rock N Roll songs. They are perfect to play loudly at your next party. They are fun songs. The CD takes you through a wide variety of emotions and there is never a dull moment. If there is any justice in the world this band will be selling out arenas in a few years!
- CD Baby

Editor's Note: U.S. 1 continues its search for the band to perform at the second annual U.S. 1 Breakdown Party, Friday, October 6, the grand finale of the Greater Princeton Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair at the Westin Forrestal. The public is invited - save the date. We like to call it Princeton's biggest cocktail party!


The Princeton Public Library is breaking the proverbial silence of the library at the end of every month with "Unquiet Fridays," events designed to purposely break the studious silence that usually characterizes the library's community room. The final Friday in July was particularly unquiet, when 77 Le Sabre plugged in.

Front man Jim Santora describes the sound of 77 Le Sabre (77LS) as the "meshing of classic and modern rock." Its myspace.com site describes them as rock/ grunge/classic rock. A mixture of REM, Pearl Jam, ACDC, and others, the band is an amalgam of many influences, just like its members.

One might not expect the men of 77LS to play the kind of music they do. They are all family men in their late 30s with their own varied careers in everything from medical finance to IT to truck driving. One is a paid firefighter. Yet they still find time to rehearse once a week, working together to create their own unique brand of original music.

Unlike a lot of musicians, Santora, 37, did not grow up in a music-centered household. While his mother, who works for a car dealership, and his father, who was a New Jersey state employee, were not unsupportive, they encouraged him to pursue athletics. Instead, Santora dreamed of becoming a DJ and indeed started his own DJ/ karaoke business when he graduated from high school. Years later, he moved into a house that had a chicken coop-cum-recording studio in the back yard.

He began jamming with acoustic guitar player Jason Mento (later of the Glassboro act, Storm). 77LS now features five musicians: Santora (vocals), Kurt Dillon (guitar and vocals), Paul Pernice (bass and vocals), James "Billy" Holmes (drums), and Ed Hermann (guitars and vocals). (Hermann's wife, Jamie, is program coordinator/ technology training librarian at the Princeton Public Library.) The group has played many local venues including the Bridgewater Pub and the Pirate's Den.

The band cites many musical influences, from REO Speedwagon to Dream Theater, and Santora especially likes progressive rock like King's X and Drivin N Cryin, especially for the way those groups write their music. For artists like these, in every song, and even over the course of a record, there is a storyline. This approach to song writing inspired Santora during the work on the group's first album, "Ride." He took some older songs and reworked them to create tracks that tell a story, a sort of grunge-gestalt approach to album making. "It's hard to write like that," says Santora, who writes most of band's lyrics, "but I'm still inspired."

Listening to his show at the library, it is easy to see that the band is inspired by the music that they play. As my companions and I enter the show, already in full swing, Santora takes the time to explain the message behind the song, "Yearbook." The song is about understanding the mistakes of youth, and the band pours their hearts into the performance. The audience is small - Unquiet Fridays are new at the PPL and just catching on - but appreciative, and the most enthusiastic audience members were certainly the band members' own children, who danced and thrashed around, very happy to hear their dads acting like real rockers.

As 77LS works through its set list, mostly originals with a few covers here and there, the music attracts a few late diners from the square outside the Witherspoon Grill. Apparently, a diverse crowd is usual for the group. Santora explains that the younger kids who come out to see their shows appreciate the flashy guitar solos and progressive influences. The older concertgoers like the music because they grew up listening to a similar style of music. Santora recalls playing a show where 77LS was placed in between two screamo bands, and the audience was just as receptive to their more melodic, deliberate sound.

77LS isn't slowing down any time soon. Santora describes a heavy playing schedule for the fall as the band continues on with their current radio push. While he doesn't exactly expect "Ride" to go platinum, "we'd really like to open up for [a national act] as they come through," says Santora.

Finally, I know you've been wondering: The name 77 Le Sabre comes from Santora's first car. He bought it from his aunt when he was only 15, and could do little but dream of driving it for a full two years before he could get his license. Over 20 years later, Santora is realizing another dream with the other four members of 77LS.

- Jamie Bunce

77 LeSabre, www.myspace.com/77lesabre. Upcoming gigs:

Wednesday, August 23: 77LeSabre live at the BoDog Battle of the Bands, North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, P - US 1 Magazine

September 26th-September 28th
This week on Jersey Rock I'm featuring a band from Maple Shade,NJ. I have no idea where in the hell that is(down south I think),but I do know that these guys are a perfect fit for Jersey Rock. They claim that they are influenced by everyone from Pearl Jam to Led Zep to Kiss,and with a pedigree like that I was anxious to check out their debute CD. It's called Ride,and yes,I can see that they wear their influences right on their shoulder. They are what I like to refer to as Piss and Vinegar rock and roll. So check 'em out this week as step on the gas with 77LeSabre on Jersey Rock! - Steve Hook (Host) 95.9 The Rat Jersey Rock Radio Program

WWW.LESABREROCKS.COM
www.myspace.com/77lesabre



The Scene would like to welcome 77 LeSabre as the first Featured Artist of 2007. I've been meaning to get an interview with Jim and 77 for quite a while, and now we finally have one. Thank you Jim and 77 for the interview..





What bands have the members of 77 LeSabre been in (or are in)?

Jim – I was in a band called Hideous Heinous in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Was also in a side project called Cavitora in 2004.
Ed: Metal Fatigue, Crystal Synn, Traveler, and many - many others
Paul: Paralyzed Destiny and Raj
Jimmy: I was in to many to name.
Kurt: SIX DAYS LOST, LOST DOGS


When did the band form originally?

Jim – July 2005

What is the marital status of the band, and do any of you have any
children?

Jim – Married with 2 children, ages 9 and 5.
Ed: Married with one Son.
Paul:Married with 2 Children - Son 14, Daughter 12
Jimmy: Married, 2 kids.
Kurt: Married with children.


How would you classify your music?
(Rock/Metal/Funk/Jazz/Country/Americana/Acoustic/Etc..)

Jim – Rock
Ed: Hard Rock.
Paul: Hard Rock
Jimmy: Rock
Kurt: Rock


Tell us a little bit about how you formed, and why?

Jim – I was looking to start a little original side project that was diverse. I found Kurt and Paul online. Ed was a friend of our original drummer Gregg Bormann. Jimmy Holmes we found on myspace to replace Gregg about a year ago.


Who makes the decisions which songs you perform?

Ed: All of us
Paul: We all have a say
Jim – We usually go around the room the practice before the show and put together a setlist.
Jimmy: We all make desicions.
Kurt: It’s a group thing.


Who came up with the name 77 LeSabre, and is there any significance?

Ed: Blame this one on Jim Santora! *LOL*
Kurt: Jim Santoras first car
Jim – I came up with the name and it was the first car I ever owned. A 1977 Buick LeSabre.


When someone goes to a 77 LeSabre show, what can they expect to
experience?

Jim – Pure full throttle rock with some emotion and attitude.
Ed: An awesome live performance with great music and thoughtful lyrics.
Paul: Straight - in your face - energetic performance
Jimmy: A kick ass rock show.
Kurt: Loud guitars, guitar solos, energy, drums, PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT MUSIC


Who are each of your main influences?

Jim – As far as singers, Don Dokken, Robin Zander, Ian Astbury and Michael Stipe. As far as writing goes, I like Pat DiNizio (Smithereens), Kevn Kinney (Drivin N Cryin) and King’s X.
Ed: Dream Theater, Greg Howe, Rusty Cooley, Tony McAlpine, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and WAY too many others to mention.
Paul: Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Justin Chancellor (Tool)
Jimmy: Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Rush and Judas Priest
Kurt: Hendrix, SRV, Motorhead, Metallica, love the attitude of Lemmy, Jimmy Page, CARL BELL AND BRETT SCALLIONS OF FUEL.


Do you do any recording / How many albums do you have currently?

Jim – We currently have Ride, which came out this past year. Hoping to get our next release out in 2007.
Ed: Band-wise, Ride is our first effort and we have a 2nd on the way. We're looking to start recording in Jan '07 or so . For my solo music, I've been writing and recording a wide verity of styles of music. My current solo project is Progressive instrumental music my current project. I've also been asked to write a country song for someone which is 90% finished. This does not take away from the band.. this is a rule that I have.
Kurt: Yes, Ride was done last year, working on stuff for a new one this year


What dates are you playing, what clubs have you played?

Jim – January 19 we are playing Cosmo’s in Glassboro. Other places we have played are House of Blues in Atlantic City, Grape Street in Philadelphia, Le Grande Fromage in Atlantic City, The Pirate’s Den in Gloucester City, Cherrywood in Clementon and CC Charlies in Vineland to name a few.

What was your best show, and can you tell us a little bit about it?

Jim – The House of Blues show opening for Tesla will always be a highlight. To play in front of over 1000 people was a great feeling. While Tesla was playing, people were coming up to me when I was on the floor asking if we were touring with Tesla. People didn’t realize we were just a little band from South Jersey.
Ed: House of Blues in AC, NJ. We were opening for Tesla and had an awesome show. The crowd seemed to get into us as well which made it even better.
Paul: HOB in AC opening up for Tesla - great show - really validated for us how much potential we have as a band
Jimmy: House of Blues.great venue love the stage and the big crowds.
Kurt: HOB in AC, opened for Tesla, big crowd, ate catered food, felt like a rock star, the best thing was that people carried our gear, i felt like I had been discovered finally!

Now for some Multiple Choice questions:

1 - Kathryn Zeta Jones or Pam Anderson?

Jim – Huh??? Bridgette - The Scene - Musicians Network