Interview by Roger Zee (02/18/19)
Roger Zee: Explain the genesis of House Arrest.
Charlie Caldarola: For many years as a corporate technologist working from home, I often joked that it felt a lot like being under house arrest! I tucked the name away until early 2012 when a mutual friend first exposed me to our drummer extraordinaire, soon after nicknamed "Mayor" Joe. Through this chance meeting, we began building the House on a foundation of bass and drums and relying on our network of musician friends for the rooms upstairs. Many area players have passed through House Arrest since 2012, adding their talent and friendship along the way. Currently residing under our roof are Jill "Pastina" McGuire and "Magic" Matt Smutko on lead vocals, "Monster" Mike Miranda on guitar, "Monsignor" Joe Berino on keys, "Mayor" Joe on drums, and myself, the reciprocally nicknamed, Chucky "Cheese" on bass.
Matt Smutko:
Although people think of House Arrest as a dance band, we're really not. We're a Rock band that plays Top 40 and Dance. We have a Rock and Roll ethos about our approach and performance. We're all Rock players, and the energy on stage is Rock.
Roger Zee: Charlie, talk about the special chemistry between the bass and the drums.
Charlie Caldarola: Bass and drums, the foundation of every great band. Joe and I share the same work ethic with regard to our instruments. We deliver them unapologetically from the heart and without a net. One listen to our rhythm section will reveal the House Arrest secret sauce. Joe brings the big beat and I bring equally big bass in family-style, Italian proportions - LOL.
Roger Zee: Where does the band usually perform?
Charlie Caldarola: House Arrest's grateful to have played most rooms in the area, both big and small. Although at a slight disadvantage due to our six member footprint, we have proven ourselves squeezable into most any venue. In no particular order, the places we have performed include: all of the Spillane bars (Mamaroneck, Eastchester, Mt. Vernon), Saxon Grill, Chat 19, Rudy's, Pete's Saloon, Tiki Bar at Rye Playland, Hudson Room, and the Washington Irving Boat Club.
Roger Zee: Tell me about your favorite and/or most unusual gig.
Charlie Caldarola: Certainly each in the band have their own opinion on favorite places to play, but I speak for the collective in giving a shout out to Pete's Saloon for not only supporting House Arrest, but every working musician in the area for well over 30 plus years. Although some gigs have bordered on the unusual, there have been some that were supernatural! One of our outdoor appearances last summer at the Washington Irving Boat Club featured a full blown, five minute thunderstorm that had everyone running for cover, including our sound men scrambling to save the electrical gear. We all survived without electrocution and to a near double rainbow appearing over the Tappan Zee bridge!
Matt Smutko: My favorite and most unusual gig took place at the Washington Irving Boat Club in Tarrytown, which sits on the river in the shadow of the Tappan Zee Bridge. My wife, who comes to every show, couldn't make it to that one. She wasn't happy about it. She kept saying "I hope a hurricane blows in off the water." Wouldn't you know it, unexpected and unpredicted, about two-thirds of the way through the show, a ridiculously strong wind blew horizontal rain off the water! The people out on the Dance Floor went running for cover, and the band scrambled to cover the equipment. Palm trees blew sideways just like you see on the news of a Florida hurricane. The squall came and went quickly, and the people who remained had a great energy about them. A little rain came up again but they kept on dancing! I got to insert a verse of "Here Comes the Rain Again" into "Boogie Oogie Oogie." The night was funny, a little scary, and ended with a really good vibe. Wouldn't have missed that one for the world!
Roger Zee: Hey, I survived that gig! What advice do you give to up and coming musicians?
Charlie Caldarola: They should always march to their own creative drums. The balance of listening to advice and taking it must be determined along the way. For the "pre" up and coming, the studying musician, I cannot stress enough the importance of mastering one's instrument without any crutches. Practice, play, and fly free.
Matt Smutko: Don't do it, man. Stay in school!
Roger Zee: How do you see the future of the music business?
Charlie Caldarola: Like any other business, the music business must adapt in order to survive. Artists are destined to struggle under the business umbrella. A true musician or a lover of music will always follow their nose to the good stuff. Their discovery and interpretation of that that will influence the next generation. To me, this is how it has always been, but what do I know? Let's talk more bass and drums!
Matt Smutko:
I think you're seeing a widening gap between the casual listener and the real fan who appreciates music for music. The consumer class eats what's put in front of them. So much of that monotony is readily available on TV and through social media. This fan is increasingly a passive sheep who goes with the flow, a conformist. In contrast, the true music fan is easily discerned. Because there exist very few record labels now with very few acts, and so many true artists DIY these days, the true music lover must actively seek out the object of their affections on small indie labels and platforms like SoundCloud. But because music is largely free these days, be it legal or illegal, musicians will increasingly have to make their nut by touring. These days, ticket sales and merchandise are how you have to sweat the harvest out of the ground. Rock radio is dead, and the Glory Days of Wine and Roses and multi-platinum albums are largely over. And it'll stay that way because of technology.
©2018 Roger Zee