Music
Press
The Rockin Pontoons are sorta like the house band of Virginia-Highland. They’re a staple of the wobbly bars and block parties of that bustling neighborhood, but haven’t expanded too far beyond it. That said, they’re a much better than average bar band, as their latest CD, Faith in a Happy Ending , demonstrates. With obvious effort put into the production, writing and performances, Happy Ending offers 15 jolts of Stoney rock, NRBQ-style rollicking humor, a bit of (I swear) a classic Meatloaf approach on a few songs and, in a clear indication of their creative reach, a palpable gospel feel pervading much of the album.
By Jeff Clark
Stomp-N-Stammer, page 32
November 2007
http://www.stompandstammer.com - Stomp-n-Stammer
“Beautiful American Dust seems an appropriate name for an album that incorporates so many styles of American music. The organ, pedal steel and great beats will draw you in and the smart lyrics delivered in Coffey’s deadpan voice will keep you coming back for more.�
(Mare Wakefield – Performing Songwriter)
- Performing Songwriter
“Beautiful American Dust is a marvelous achievement. “Miracles� displays the poetic charm and writing dexterity of this supremely ambitious group. Packed with sixteen quality songs of dazzling compositional technique and hook-laden chemistry. This is a simply attractive and engaging work, ready to savor and enjoy fully!�
(Shawn M. Haney – Southeast Performer)
- Southeast Performer
“Piloted by Steve Coffey’s wistful vocals, the Pontoons float over sublime duets that highlight the band’s terrific debut album Beautiful American Dust. The live show adds grit to the songs, which shift from soulful to sensitive to sassy in a heartbeat.�
(Hal Horowitz – Creative Loafing)
- Creative Loafing Atlanta
“Each of Beautiful American Dust’s 16 tracks is capable of standing alone which speaks to Coffey’s songwriting as well as the band’s fully developed sounds.�
(High Bias)
- High Bias
“Crazy Socialite – Good Song…I’ll hold on to it!�
(Steve Goss – Lite FM Atlanta - Clear Channel)
Lite FM is no more, should’ve given us a spin!
- Clear Channel
“Really cool stuff�
(Billy Block – Western Beat) - Western Beat
“I really dig the tunes!�
(Fred Mills – Magnet)
- Magnet
Discography
Beautiful American Dust - 2005
Faith In A Happy Ending - 2006
Photos
Bio
Originally from Long Island, Rockin Pontoons frontman Steve Coffey, has lived in Atlanta for 10 years. He graduated from Notre Dame then Rutgers Law, where he began writing songs. Randy Elliot, the lead guitarist, is world class. He’s full of tasteful licks and amazing solos.
The Rockin Pontoons have accumulated an impressive following around Atlanta. Their debut album, “Beautiful American Dust� was chosen by Performing Songwriter magazine as a ‘TOP 12 DIY’ National pick. Critics Hal Horowitz, Fred Mills and Shawn M. Haney also raved about the album.
Check out the website at RockinPontoons.com - Coffey has put a lot of his blood, sweat, and grit into arranging videos put to his songs. The first video is a professionally shot art piece for his song “California�. For the “Sugardaddy� video, Coffey took some Victoria’s Secret fashion shows and commercials, and edited them to his specifications. This song is headed to radio.
The third video “There’s a Light in This World� is in memory of a friend lost on September 11th. Another video reveals the hilarious antics of his young relatives crying at Santa Claus. The last is a Jamaican flavored slice of paradise!
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