Spotlight Artists: Ten in the Afternoon

Thanks to facebook, I recently became re-acquainted with a classmate from (many) years ago, Michael Masciale. He is producing a benefit concert this Sunday to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The JDRF Jam will feature nine bands performing this Sunday, September 12, 2010 at Mr. Beery's in Bethpage, NY.

Sunday, September 12
JDRF Jam - Rockin' for a Cure
Live music by nine bands:
Full House, Ten In The Afternoon, The Urge, Hooker, Celestial, Project Vibe, Sweaty Betty, Long Island Street Survivors and Thelonious Duck
Other activities include: Free hotdogs and hamburgers, drink specials all day, 50/50 and other raffles
Donation: $10 at the door, $8 in advance
Proceeds from the door & raffles go to JDRF to help find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes
RSVP via facebook
noon - 9pm
at:
Mr. Beery’s
4019 Hempstead Turnpike
Bethpage, NY
(516) 579-7049
MrBeerys.com


This is a perfect chance to feature our next Spotlight Artist, Ten in the Afternoon. They are one of the nine bands performing at the JDRF Jam. Bassist Matt Griffin answered our questions for this piece:

Spotlight Artist: Ten in the Afternoon
Ten in the Afternoon
Leo D’Antoni, guitar/vocals
Gabe D’Antoni, lead guitar/vocals
Matt Griffin, bass/vocals
Alex Belmonte, drums

How long have you been performing?
Since we were teenagers!

Past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.)
The brothers Gabe and Leo D’Antoni have been playing together since they were kids in Rosedale, Queens. They played in Alex Belmonte’s basement when they were fifteen years old. The pictures of this are featured in the Ten in the Afternoon video “One Horse Feeling” on
YouTube. Matt Griffin is also from a musical family, and had his own band since he was a kid too. He joined Ten in the Afternoon twenty-two years ago.

Favorite venues to play:
Mr. Beery’s in Bethpage NY is the “CBGB” of Long Island.
Kenny’s Castaways, is our ‘home base’ in the city.
There are many others but these two places have been good to us.

What are some of your musical influences?
The brothers recently went to Nashville and came home with a ‘country’ edge to their latest songs. They are huge Beatle fans. Alex, too. Matt is a big reggae fan.

Blatant self-promotion: What would you like to plug?
Ten in the Afternoon has a large catalog of original music and new songs almost every week!

Linkage:
Official website: leoda.us
We have many videos on YouTube, Gabe has solo stuff there too.
Ten in the Afternoon on Myspace
Blog: Tenintheafternoon.blogspot.com

Where can we buy your music?
Online or at our gigs.

Do you ever perform in the city? If so, where?
Yes, we love playing ‘the city’. Usually we’re at Kenny’s Castaways in the Village on Bleecker. We still remember the legendary Pat Kenny.

Tell us a story or anecdote about performing live.
We once chartered a motor coach bus and gave away free beer for the ride to a gig at Kenny’s. That was one night we’ll never forget. The bus was destroyed! People getting dragged by police horses etc, but it was a GREAT show.

Any advice to someone just starting out?
Just do it! But don’t OVER do it. Less is more.

Can you recommend any other local act we should feature on MurphGuide?
Yes, our former keyboardist’s son’s band. They are all 16 years old and they are great. They just played a high-profile benefit show at South Street Seaport. The band is called ‘Steakum Tuesday’ and the kid’s name is David Ferro, a future star.

You are performing in the JDRF Jam, a benefit for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. How did you get involved in this event?
Mike Masciale of the JDRF is an old friend of the band.

Thanks, Matthew! Ten in the Afternoon will be performing at one in the afternoon at The JDRF Jam this Sunday. Below is a video for their song "One Horse Feeling"