The Chain Gang

Sometimes we are asked “What is significance of the band name?  How did you name the band?   The term Chain Gang does have a not-so-pleasant meaning.  Most of you would know the definition as a bunch of prisoners working on the side of a road, or doing some community service relative to hard labor. Well, our name has *nothing* to do with that.  When the band was formed 8 years ago, all the band members worked for IBM (3 of us still do, plus one retiree, and one is self employed).  

Doug always wanted to form an IBM band, and when Y2K was approaching, it was the perfect reason to form a small band as we were a part of a Y2K recognition event.  The organization we were in was called the Integrated Supply Chain, hence the play on the word “chain”.   The Chain Gang was born from a technology and manufacturing based organization.  We had no intention at that time to play another gig, but we had too much fun doing it. 
We are still here -- 8 years later -- performing throughout the Hudson Valley and Connecticut.   In order to retain the bands identity, we decided to leave the name as it was because we had an immediate following.  

So, we are not these prisoners in orange clothes on the side of the road with guns being pointed at us, nor are we these rough and tough bearded guys representing a gang, reeking havoc in a local neighborhood.   We are regular guys, performing what we like to do.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY: The CHAIN GANG will take you from the 50’s through the 80’s with all your favorites—the best dancing and listening tunes of all time. If you like Billy Joel, The Beatles, The Commodores, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Doobie Brothers, Bread, come on out and hear this band play timeless Classic Rock and Pop.

The CHAIN GANG got together about four years ago. Since then, they’ve been performing at many benefits in the area and have also performed many local events/parties and clubs. Each member is a seasoned performer: Doug Abramson, bass player and musical director, is a master of blues, pop, the big band sound. You’ve also heard him in the "Little Sammy Davis" blues band on the "IMUS in the Morning" show on MSNBC; Sam Costanzo, lead vocalist, has played and sung for other bands and also an actor/singer with the Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company. And you can close your eyes and believe that you’re hearing Billy Joel or John Lennon when he sings; Dennis Blandino, lead guitarist, has been playing for over 30 years, and is one of the founding members of the band Harvest. He’s renowned for his seamless guitar style. (Dennis met John Lennon many years ago at a recording session once and John actually lent him a guitar for a riff.); Steve Wanzer, on keyboards, is another member of Harvest. A classically trained pianist, Steve has an uncanny ability to cover all the sounds of your favorites. Listen closely to the band’s rendition of Bread’s "Guitar Man"—you’ll be astonished; Mike Palladino, a talented Hudson Valley drummer has been playing over 30 years. Some may remember him as the drummer with Lenny Frank and the Rhythm Rockers and has since played with many other groups.

This band is a "must hear". They will take you back in time bringing back many memories with the same style as the original artists. Whether you’re older or younger, you are sure to enjoy the band and their reproduction of these classic songs that are still popular today!

FOR BOOKINGS CALL:

Doug Abramson - 452-2468 or Sam Costanzo - 452-1099

"The Chain Gang" is a local favorite of many venues and is noted for reproducing the style and sound of the original artists.