Beloved ProgRock Band Keeps “Climbing,” Hitting The Number 8 Slot
Joe
Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ “Behind the Curtain (Live at
ProgStock)” box set (Melodic Revolution Records (Amplified
Distribution) has broken the top ten at Number 8 on the Jam Band/ Relix Radio
Charts. During the summer, in July the group was also in the top ten, and began
to sink to 29. But then the students came back, and liked what they heard
in the band’s music.
Radio promoter David Avery at Powderfinger Promo says the value of
the placement is career-empowering for musician-oriented rock bands, “The
high-profile monthly radio chart published by Relix and Jambands.com is the chart of record for music that
falls under the Jamband music category. With regular releases coming out by
Gov't Mule, Phish, Leftover Salmon, The Wood Brother, et al, it is also a very
competitive chart that bookers, managers, and record labels keep a close
eye on.”
Part of
the reconnection came about through music people’s awareness of Joe joining
classic prog rock band Kansas this past May, and all the work and promotion Joe
Deninzon & Stratospheerius and his record label Melodic Revolution/Amplified Distribution has done through the years, including playing festivals, and the
group working in education. Joe’s authored the violin instruction book,
“Pluggin’ In” and has taught in schools and music camps all over the
world.
The media
is playing a role, too. “Behind The Curtain (Live at ProgStock)” received
major support:
Prog UK: “two spirited sets packed with hooks
and chops, and delivered with decidedly American zeal.”
ProgArchives: "this collection is just
stunning"
Powerplay: “…all top talent musicians, who
show exactly what they can do but always in service of the song. And these
songs deserve all the servicing they can get.”
Goldmine:
“The band, is outstanding — drummer Jason Gianni, guitarist Michelangelo
Quirinale, and bassist Paul Ranieri are all strong players, and are
collectively a very tight and well-rehearsed unit. And with the way Deninzon
swoops, chops, and coaxes all manner of noises out of his violin, he certainly
lives up to the “Jimi Hendrix of violin” label he’s gotten from the
press.”
Strings: “I noticed the audience seems to be very
attentive, unlike what you hear in live recordings of other rock ’n’ roll
shows.
The group will be releasing a to-be-announced music video
soon.
The boxset (2 CDs/DVD/Blu-Ray) “Behind the Curtain
(Live at ProgStock)” is three years in the making; the collection is
made up of Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ 2019 and 2021 live performances
at the ultimate Northeast progressive rock festival, ProgStock.
Joe is the new violinist with legendary rockers Kansas, now on tour celebrating their 50th anniversary. He has played violin for the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50Cent, Sheryl Crow, and as the concertmaster for Renaissance. The other Stratospheerius bandmembers have a great heritage, as well: Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neal Morse Band), Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Riot Act).
