american anthem

I had the pleasure of interviewing Cliff Calabro from American Anthem.
They kicked off the opening of West Coast Rockers last May and they are the featured artist for our 1 year anniversary celebration! Please enjoy this interview with Cliff Calabro. The music you are listening to is a new piece from American Anthem's new cd "Hit Repeat called: I think about
Leigh, I mean I think about you" TURN THOSE SPEAKERS UP!

WCR: Cliff, can you tell us a little about this sexy picture of yourself? Who is the photographer, are you totally naked in this shot? What made you decide to pose nude?
Cliff: "The Photographer is a good friend named Dana Martin www.alluringimages.com and I did this shot because my sexuality is
a big part of who I am. Its far from being the only thing I'm about
but it's an ever present thread that seems to run through my life. So rather than downplay it or hide it I just express it in ways that are comfortable and artistic to me. Being an artist is sexy in many ways to many people. This is just one of my ways of expressing that
side of me.."
WCR: What kind of music did you hear around you at home as a child?
Cliff: "Everything from 50-60s Beatles/Motown/Elvis to 70's bubble gum & Zepplin, Kiss, Sabbath, P Funk & eighties rock & pop...My parents always let me listen to whatever I wanted, they kinda got into what was happening through me & my brother, so they welcomed that. My mom was into fifties music so she was big on that. Which was great cause those songs are easy to sing & harmonize to when your just a kid."
WCR: What cd do you have in your cd player right at this moment?
Cliff: "American Idiot - Green Day"
WCR: Now I need to tell you that some of these next few questions were sent to me by some of your fans. SO they are mixed into the interview.
Cliff: "ok"
WCR: Where is your favorite place to have sex?
Cliff: "It's not where, it's with who."
WCR: Are you part of the mile high club?
Cliff: "Yes, three times over."
WCR: Where is the craziest place you have ever had sex?
Cliff: "Other than an airplane? My we have a kinky crowd here! I would say in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. When ya gotta have it, ya gotta have it!"
WCR: Do you prefer candles or a strobe light?
Cliff: "Candles"
WCR: Which do you enjoy more, showers or baths?
Cliff: "Depends on what the purpose is. To clean, shower. To relax bath. To have sex... BOTH!"
WCR: Do you like to be scrubbed, rubbed, or both?
Cliff: "Don't scrub me when you should rub me and vice versa."
WCR: What is your favorite dessert?
Cliff: "Anything chocolate"
WCR: Who influenced your music the most?
Cliff: "I have always said that I have no one influence. I listen to everything and if it's good and I like it I'm influenced."
WCR: Where is your favorite place to play?
Cliff: "I haven't played there yet. Once I've played everywhere then I'll know my favorite place. But right now anywhere there are American Anthem fans, thats where I wanna play!"
WCR: How many fist fights have you and Christy been in?
Cliff: "Too many!"
WCR: Do you like leather or lace?
Cliff: "Leather of course."
WCR: This question is from another one of your adoring fans. This fan wants to know where you got such a great ass?
Cliff: "Wal-mart, they have everything there."
WCR: Do you like sports, which ones, who is your favorite team?
Cliff: "Basketball - Lakers, Baseball - Yankees, Football - Detroit Lions"
WCR: Who is your favorite 70s band?
Cliff: "Zepplin, nobody rocks like Zep baby!"
WCR: Do you think God blessed you with a beautiful voice?
Cliff: "I don't think God pays much attention to me. But sometimes I can sing pretty good."
WCR: Tell the fans something they may not know about you.
Cliff: "I am extremely open minded about many things like religion, politics, and sex."
WCR: You are like no other entertainer I have ever seen live. Where does that energy come from? What gets you pumped up?
Cliff: "The music & the people together create such an infectious energy, I can't help myself. I'm surprised everyone doesn't feel it. Maybe I'm weird. But I know there is no feeling like what I like to call "basking in the zone" when the band and the house are one giant energy ball and me being in the center of it is like sex times ten!!!"
WCR: What is your favorite guitar?
Cliff: "My 59 reissue Les Paul, and my 63 reissue Hummingbird. Thats all I would need if I had to get rid of all of them."
WCR: What was your first guitar & do you still have it?
Cliff: "Well, my first was my brother's cause I was a drummer since I was six years old. 76 Fender strat sunburst, he still has it. But MY first guitar is long gone. I horse traded guitars till I was able to get a Les Paul. So, none of the ones on the way except my paisley strat, have remained or mattered. Now, all of them mean something to me."
WCR: I saw your parents at The House of Blues in 2003 when you performed there. When your Dad walked by me he said to someone "I'm here t - West Coast Rockers

American Anthem has the most outstanding songwriting and musical structure heard in some time. American Anthem is comprised of Cliff Calabro on vocals and guitar, Christy Calabro on guitar and backing vocals, Joe Andriaccio bass and backing vocals, and John Medina drums, percussion and backing vocals.

The self titled debut from American Anthem is nothing short of perfection. The production of the CD is flawless and nicely layered. A few songs sound radio ready, but to enjoy the music you might want to mix them up a bit and put the disc on random. Their song development and storytelling are compelling. The Calabro brothers and Jeremy Rubolino wrote these tunes that are on the CD, and they sure know how to craft a song.

"Complicated Girl" demonstrates their modern aggressive pop edge. The harmonies are outstanding. Jeremy Rubolino and Cliff Calabro have produced this fine CD.

"Pins and Needles" the second track uses triple time, punk influenced rhythms. It is a peppy, upbeat, slam dance tune. The song appears to be Queen inspired with clever lyrics and a dance backbeat.

"Love's Chance" is great cut for their first single. This is my favorite song on the CD. It's a great track with a catchy chorus, good hook. The tune is very memorable. The song has a pop feel to it and is easily digestible.

"I'll Understand" has a Queen influenced piano with good lyrics "Bohemian Rhapsody"style. Their chorus sounds like Bon Jovi. The track is about simple love. They have chosen to use full strings and their use of modulation is awesome. The song is definitely a cool power ballad.

Kill Myself a key cut totally inspirational and very much like the early lyrics from the alternative pop rock band Everclear's So much for the Afterglow. There is a cool lead guitar riff. Suggestively, this track talks about somebody being so love sick so much he wants to kill himself. The harmonies are divine and this cut is very pop and reminiscent of eighties. It has the 80's flare on guitar and then it breaks down like a Beatles tune. The guitars are memorable and the song sticks in your head for days on end.

"What's On Your Mind" is a shining track. The brothers' use of the style from Peter Frampton's talk box. The harmonies from both Cliff and Christy's vocals and the rest of the band are outstanding. The tune is very Beatles-like in melody.

"Since You've Been Gone" is folksier than the rest of the tracks. There appears to be an inspiration from David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust-like vocals, an awesome bridge portion with Beatlesque great harmonies. The tune has a very nice '70s sounding guitar riff plus a nice acoustic feel. Cool use of effects on the microphone like a megaphone.

"Get Up Get Out" has a punk feel. This cut also has an Everclear inspired vibe. The drumming kicks butt. Strong harmonies. This track is reminiscent of Cheap Trick's "Dream Police". A rap portion of the song is fit into the track nicely.

For all of you hardcore modern aggressive rockers this is a band not to miss. They are the real deal. No crap. They are true musicians and crafters of this awesome disc. I recommend them to all rock fans. Cliff and Christy Calabro and Jeremy Rubolino are the consummate of balladeers.

American Anthem is currently on the road touring as the opening act for Bret Michaels of Poison's solo tour of "Songs of Life," and then playing double duty as the backing band for Bret Michael's tour. The tour runs through December. They should be resuming with another tour sometime in the Spring.


Susan Salva is a Staff Writer.
- Rockzone.com

Mid-Summer is upon us and we here at FLR, have been working feverishly on new projects. First, we would like to welcome the latest addittion to the FastLane family..American Anthem. If you caught the Bret Michaels
solo tour late 2003, then you caught this powerhouse band as Bret's, opening band as well as his backing band. American Anthem, have already captured internet radio, by spending weeks at number one with their cover of the Beatle's classic Help. The Calabro Brother's (Cliff & Christy) lead the helm, with Cliff on vocals and guitar and brother Christy on lead guitar. Rounding off with the talented Joe Andriaccio on Bass and John Medina on Drums. More to come on this great band in the next few days..we'll keep you posted, until then check the artist pages for audio samples and photos.
- Team FLR

Before the red velvet curtain rose in the rustic venue of the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, the joint was playing pre-recorded music over the P.A. system. The music featured eighties rock legends including Van Halen, Guns 'N Roses and AC/DC to help pump up the crowd already nearly over six hundred rebel rousers.

Bret Michaels, singer/songwriter of the rock band Poison appeared center stage in support of his solo "Song of Life" tour. Dressed in a black tank top with a red star, black skintight jeans, and his signature white bandana across his forehead, he jumped up slapping hands with his fans. The audience was leaning up against the barricade, as Michaels sang "Nothin but a Good Time." Michaels started off a set that included some of the old Poison songs, new songs from Michaels new Songs of Life album, and a few cover tunes.

American Anthem backed Michaels on this tour. Their band members featured Cliff Calabro the lead singer and guitarist, Steve Frangadakis on guitar & vocals. Frangadakis periodically filled in for Cliff Calabro while on tour, Calabro was awaiting the arrival of his first child a baby boy. Christy Calabro plays lead guitar & backing vocals, John Medina on drums and Joe Andriaccio on bass.

"Menace to Society," was the second song performed by Michaels that evening. Christy Calabro played lead on his florescent green guitar. Michaels was very energetic and danced across the stage to this upbeat song.

"You know, life doesn't suck," said Michaels. "I think I know every face in the audience tonight," he slapped hands again with all of the fans that were up close rubbing against the stage. "It's a good night to be alive tonight."

"Bittersweet," Michaels explained that "This would be our second single off of our Songs of Life CD'. Let's break it down," says Michael singing into his scarf-laden microphone. The song is about a girl that has cheated on him with his best friend.

"Why don't you help me out and sing along. It's a song about my two and a half year old daughter Raine." "Raine" is the first single from Songs of Life. This song is a powerful ballad.

When the band played on "You're Momma Don't Dance," Michaels blew his harmonica & Frangadakis pealed off a shearing guitar solo.

For "Unskinny Bop," the crowd went wild when Michaels played this song; an energetic track where he swirled the microphone and did the splits. For the next tune Michaels slid back into an old favorite, "Something to Believe In," a song about his best friend that died. Cliff Calabro joined in on this song helping with a solo guitar lick.

"Knockin' On Heavens Door," Michaels explained how he decided to cover Bob Dylan's legendary track acknowledging that Guns 'N Roses had covered it before. "We're making magic tonight. It's awesome making music for 18 years."

With "Every Rose has its Thorn," he caroused the audience into singing the first verse to Christy Calabro's solo on his guitar. "I don't want to play Poison songs poorly," he explained after the show about the pressure he has to perform up to Poison fans standards.

Michaels decided to play "Party Rock Band" instead of "Honky Tonk Woman," which he played the night before in San Diego. It's a punk rock jumping track. The last two songs were crowd favorites "Fallen Angel," performed by Medina doing double time on the drumbeat and a choreographed guitar line up. The last song off of the Look What the Cat Dragged In was the song that started it all off for Poison, "Talk Dirty to Me."

The performance was awesome and proves that Michaels, at forty, can still party with the best of them. The show was one hardy party. If you're looking for a good time check out Michaels on the road.

American Anthem started their opening set as the with their rendition of Thin Lizzy's "Boys are Back In Town." Cliff Calabro was psyched to be there and as the opening act as American Anthem and backing band for Bret Michaels. Calabro promoted American Anthem's website www.american-anthem.com shouting out, "What the hell is up? Let us know whether you like us or if you think we suck. I want to hear it." They may back up Michaels as his band, but they have their own unique style and sound.

"What's on Your Mind," was their second song, but a fast favorite for their fans. The guitar solo was courtesy of Christy Calabro playing on a red, white, and blue guitar. Cliff taunted the audience by throwing out CD's and T-shirts. He was energetic and bubbling over with enthusiasm. Wearing his signature black straw cowboy hat covering his eyes he plunged into singing a cover version of a T-Rex tune. He pumped up the audience with the Medina's solid drumbeat.

"Love's Chance," 'This song is about giving love another chance," explains Cliff Calabro about this melodic guitar riff as he kicked his boot into the air. Next Cliff pulled up a stool and slapped on an acoustic guitar. "I'm gonna sing you a song I wrote last night to my unborn son Jus - Rockzone.com

well, i had my first “girls night out” in God only knows how long last night. went to Ziggy’s in Winston Salem to see Bret Michaels. first of all, i just want to say how great it was to finally get to meet some of the people i have been talking to online for so long! you ladies rock, and i can’t wait to see you all again!

okay, opening first was a band called Stickboy, from Greensboro, NC. i cannot say enough good things about these guys! their website describes their sound as “somewhere between Jimmy Eat World and the Cars, with a healthy dose of David Bowie thrown in just to keep life interesting.” which i would say sums it up pretty well. their original material is outstanding, and they do some of the most dead-on covers i have ever heard, including a killer rendition of The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go”. they seemed to be having as much fun as the crowd, which is always a bonus! i was lucky enough to get to talk to them for a few minutes at their merchandise table, and they seem to be really great guys! if they are ever in your area, i highly recommend checking them out!

next up was American Anthem, an L.A. - based band who is also playing as Bret’s band on this tour. this part of the review, however, is all about them! first off, if you have a chance to pick up their cd, do it!! these guys kick ass!! even if someone didn’t particularly dig their music (which, in all honesty, i can’t imagine that ever happening!) their show is so high-energy it’s impossible not to get caught up in it! hopefully this tour will give them the exposure they need to go on to the “big time”…i could easily see these guys doing arena shows in the near future! i got the chance to talk to two of the guys, Christy Calabro (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Joe Andriaccio (bass, backing vocals), who were both incredibly sweet, down-to-earth guys who seem to genuinely care about their fans! i noticed the other two guys in the band, Cliff Calabro (lead vocals, guitar) and John Medina (drums, backing vocals) walking around talking to fans and they seemed to be just as nice, but unfortunately i didn’t get the chance to talk to them myself.

okay, on to Bret’s show… i’m sure even Bret Michaels has an off night every now and then, but last night sure as hell wasn’t one of them! his set consisted of some Poison tunes, some original songs, and a couple of covers (the best version of “Honkey Tonk Woman” i have ever heard!). this is a man who is used to selling out arenas and amphitheaters all over the world, but he put as much into his performance in this tiny little club in North Carolina as he would into a show at any big venue. of course i loved the Poison songs, but the stuff from his solo project is incredible!! i’m ashamed to admit last night was the first time i had heard any of his solo work, but had i been wearing socks, it would have knocked them right off!

and that, kiddies, is my review of last night’s festivities. i would love to have seen American Anthem and Bret again tonite at Amos’, but i’m just too old to do that two nights in a row. but hopefully any and/or all of the above-mentioned parties will be out this way again in the not-too-distant future and i’ll get to see them again. and if they’re in your area any time soon…GO!!

- Jade Crowe

The Californians American Anthem are the plan of the siblings Cliff and Christy Calabro, already protagonists with the Black On Blonde, band with all'.attivo some cd and with which they have been in tour until January of 2003. In the autumn of the same year they have had the honor to open the concerts of Bret Michaels, during the Songs Of Life tour. Later on the band he has recorded the cover of "Voices" of the Cheap Trick and of "You can' t put your arms around to memory" of the New York Dolls for two tribute albums; recently then they have signed for the FastLane Records and currently ours are completing the recordings for their album of debut, that it will comprise between the other things one cover of "Help" of the Beatles. "American Anthem" can be considered like an advance of their debut, and includes 8 brani of POP-GLAM on the falsariga of the Cheap Trick and the Enuff' z' Nuff. "Complicated girl" opens the dances, and us filler to the sound of "Too fast for love", historian debut of the Motley Crue. The brano is fresh, winning and appeals to the first one listens. Optimal also the following "Pins & needles", song short and from the fast rhythm, with some infuence POP-PUNK. "Love' s chance" has sonorità more modern and scratching and is equipped of a refrain memorable, while "I' ll understand", introduced from the pianoforte, is one evocative danced from the sonorità many neighbors to Bon Jovi. In "Kill myself" and "What' s on your mind", two brani from the null melodie extremely "catchy" but for banal, feel clearly infuences Enuff' z' Nuff, found also in the vocal harmonies of the seeds-ballad "Since you' ve been gone", that it knows a little already felt but that is impreziosita from a good ones only of Christy Calabro. "Get up get out" closes the job with energy, and is a hard-POP anthem that it seems to come from "Heaven tonight" of the Cheap Trick! A job than more positive therefore, 8 upgrades them hit-singles that they make to foresee a rose-colored future for the American Anthem!
Review realized from
Andrea Zazzarini - www.therockexplosion.com

Indeed a great beautiful CD that one proposed from the former Black on Blond Cliff and Christy Calabro, Joe Andriaccio (with a past in the ELK and study with Michael Jackson) and from the drummer freschi John Medina of tour of support to Bret Michaels that after to have participated to it pays of Cheap Trick and New York Dolls for the FastLane Records, has been enlists to you from the same label for the realization of their first album. The eight brani presents in their record debut for this Californian group that in its sound vibrating mixture energetic and modern rock/power a POP with the party rock ottantiano and turns out to you are indeed satisfactory and from she already begins them "Complicated Girl" we can ourselves be rendered account of the good ones upgrades them of the group. The song it is centralized on the job to the six ropes of Chris Calabro, a song that for sure backs could make part of the solista job of the vocalist of the Poison. Following "the Pins & Needles" and "Love' s Chance" are two optimal cues of lively power POP, this last one of the pieces better than all the album.Piano and voice for the intro in style QUEEN of "I' ll Understand", dancing in which goes to braccietto BON JOVI and ROBBIE WILLIAMS (, has understood well, just he!) while with "Kill Myself" it is returned in the balance to the large one in proposing of amusing modern rock between AMERICAN HI-FI and SR-71. "What' s on Your Mind" is musically near last Bon Jovi while the Beatlesiani choruses seem give birth from some album of the ENUFF Z' NUFF and are still band of Donnie the Ways to make its part in "Since You' ve Been Gone", a calm and relaxant POP rock. In the conclusive "Get up Get sbucano Up" MARVELOUS 3, but above all many and many CHEAP TRICK, you feel the choruses and you know to say to me... To contact!!! MILILITER - www.slamrocks.com/newbandz.htm