The Guilty Pleasures
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The Guilty Pleasures

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"The Guilty Pleasures"

The Guilty Pleasures

theguiltypleasuresWritten by Troy L. Smith
Photographed by Rich Paprocki
(March 27, 2008)

"It was like an episode of Jerry Springer," says guitarist Dave Kenin, recounting the most memorable moment local cover band The Guilty Pleasures has experienced in just more than a year of existence.

The "Jerry ... Jerry ... Jerry ..." moment in question came on Jan. 19 during a gig at Dub Land Underground. The band was all set to bring its new singer, Mike DeLuca, 35, of Rochester, onstage to sing a few songs as the soon-to-be former vocalist (who shall remain nameless) was finishing his last set with the band.

"Our old singer was moving back to his hometown," says Kenin of the infamous night. "Before the show he said that it was cool if we brought Mike up to sing a few songs, but then he said, 'No.'"

There was a fight on the stage, and security was involved. Eventually, the dust settled and the band members — Kenin, 26; bassist Smitha Raghunathan, 25; and drummer Jeff Lurie, 35, all of Rochester — were able to officially welcome DeLuca into the group. The band's former lead singer left the stage, taking The Guilty Pleasures' manager — his girlfriend — with him.

"Hey. It's two less fake boobs at the show," says Kenin, the band's charismatic leader, now looking at the brighter side of the situation during a recent inteview.

Since the incident at Dub Land Underground, the band's actually been clicking like never before. DeLuca's versatile vocals are a perfect match for Kenin's abundance of energy, and Raghunathan and Lurie's musicianship.

Thanks to DeLuca, The Guilty Pleasures are now able to replicate nearly any band's trademark style, whether it's with Rage Against The Machine's "Sleep Now In The Fire" or Metallica's "Enter Sandman." The most impressive feat is a recorded cover of The White Stripes' "My Doorbell," which can be heard on The Guilty Pleasures' MySpace page (www.myspace.com/weareyourguiltypleasures). It takes at least a handful of listens before you to realize it's actually DeLuca singing and not Jack White.

In between banging out covers from bands such as Guns N' Roses, The Doors and The Vines, the members of The Guilty Pleasures say they do eventually plan to write and record original material. But for now it's all about giving the people what they want.

"It's fun to get up there and play something that people already have an emotional connection to," says DeLuca. "It's almost like you're reminding them of a certain time in their life or a certain song that they loved. That's why I enjoy doing covers."
- The Insider


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The Guilty Pleasures is a high-energy modern and classic rock cover band that recently formed in 2007. The band prides themselves on their unique, versatile and eclectic setlist that they customize and tailor to their clientele/venue as well as take requests and improvise (i.e. themed music) for a fresh and exciting show. The Guilty Pleasures bring an upbeat energy and an unparalleled
style leaving their audience satisfied and maintaining that they are in no way your typical cover band.