MUSIC: Local blues band gets international attention

By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Bill</a>
The Journal-Register

May 18, 2008 09:57 pm

— LOCKPORT — An award-winning local blues band is having a banner year, finding itself in demand both internationally and here at home.
“Wanted by the FBI” was wanted by Saudi Arabia to put on a New Year’s Eve concert and is now wanted by the Molson Canal Festival for a summer performance.
The Lockport-based band declined a $14,000 offer from the exotic city of Dubai, which sits on the Persian Gulf and on the other side of the Gulf of Oman from Iran.
“We didn’t think it was safe,” said lead singer Phil Salamone. While Dubai City is a well-off tourist destination, the group was advised not to venture out of the hotel.
However, the band is looking forward to its date in the Molson Canal Festival. According to Salamone, the blues band has been selected to be one of the opening bands in the series that begins in June.
Salamone plays guitar, harmonica and is the lead vocalist. Brian James of Tonawanda does bass and vocals; Jeff Jones of Newfane is lead guitar; and Joe Mangella of West Seneca is on drums.
Wanted by the FBI has earned some international attention. It was selected by RadioIndy.com for Gold Artist status. “Increase The Dosage” is No. 2 in top 20 blues radio. Radioindy Gold Artist screens thousands of songs by independent artists and names the best artists. It focuses on musicianship, song-writing and recording quality.
Radio stations from Buffalo to Paris are taking notice of Wanted by the FBI.
The band’s “Until The End Of The World” was picked for the No. 4 spot on Volume 5 of WBFO-FM radio’s recent CD. A Paris, France, radio station has been broadcasting the band’s CDs in 120 different countries. “It Takes A War "was No. 2 in the top 100 all time for 2007 on 365 Internet radio.
Some of Wanted by the FBI songs are rated PG, Salamone said. “It’s probably something my father wouldn’t like,” he said. “Part of being a musician is having an open mind.”
Music has always been a big part of his life. Salamone, 55, has been playing the guitar since he was 8. He was a fan of Stevie Wonder and taught himself how to play the harmonica. Salamone’s mother, Grace, sang opera professionally and for fun.
“I grew up with that,” he said.
The group rehearses at Salamone’s home on Prospect Street. The band went without a name for some time, but a temporary drummer had “Wanted by the FBI” on his drum cases. The name stuck. So did their style of music.
“Blues is pretty big,” Salamone said. “In Buffalo, it’s bigger than rock. People are getting tired of classic rock. With blues artists, there is always something new,” he said.
Salamone said their songs are striking a chord with young listeners, too. “The kids from NCCC loved us. We’ve got a good following, a fan base.”
The band plays at several venues regularly and is scheduled to perform at Attitudes in August. It also plays at outdoor events.
At the Molson Festival, two local bands are usually scheduled to open for each national group. Wanted by the FBI’s Web site is www.fbiblues.com.
Contact reporter Bill Wolcott (716) 439-9222, ext. 6246.

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