Vendettas In The News

Library Comes Alive with '50s Music

The Vendettas shake, rattle and roll to great tunes

While 2 p.m. on a Sunday isn't exactly primetime for rock 'n' roll, no one seemed to notice at the Sachem Public Library as people bopped their heads and tapped their feet in synchronized fashion.

In a place where whispers are typically encouraged, all that could be heard was the resurrection of some of the 1950s' greatest artists. Playing for a packed house, The Vendettas shook up the library with timeless rockabilly tunes.

Not nearly as threatening as their name suggests, The Vendettas displayed a pleasant and amorous presence on stage toward the audience and each other.

They genuinely enjoy what they do and it was evident during the entire hour and a half set. The band has been together for roughly seven years, but it seems like they're still in their honeymoon phase. Before they started, guitarist Jay Janoski explained that they weren't used to playing so early. "We don't like to go out in the daylight too much," he said while wearing sunglasses. Opening with Jerry Lee Lewis' classic "High School Confidential," the energy in the room transcended from the clamoring crowd to the foursome's high-tempo performance. Lenny Brentson took on the unusual and difficult role of both the drummer and lead singer with the fervor of Lewis himself. For their next number, the guys took Johnny Cash's	metronomic hit "Folsom Prison Blues, " and laced in their own personality. Adam Tese belted out a saxophone solo not found in Cash's original, adding a jazzy feel to this usually downtrodden dirge.	The guys paid hip-twisting homage to Elvis playing "Heartbreak Hotel," "Little Sister," and "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby." Every song was delivered with the utmost respect to the original artists,but it never
	Every song was delivered with the utmost respect to the original artists, but it never felt like The Vendettas were a cover band.	felt like The Vendettas were a cover band. The most climatic part of the show was when they played Bo Diddley's "Mona." Brentson's vocals were so powerful, they seemed to soar up and over the crowd, undoubtedly impressing even the most devoted Diddley fans. Even though rockabilly is but a distant memory in today's pop music scene, The Vendettas breathe new life into this cherished genre.
	During what Janoski described as "rockabilly's national anthem," or "Blue Suede Shoes" as most people know it, Dave Doscher slapped his modern upright bass with the ferocity Carl Perkins' would have appreciated. Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue," received a huge response as people sang along, an obvious favorite among the older audience members. And of course, a 1950s rockabilly set list wouldn't be complete without the King.