The Badlees are a four piece rock band that have been creating and performing music since 1990. Pete Palladino (vocals), Bret Alexander (guitar), Paul Smith (bass) andRon Simasek (drums) joined forces decades ago after a few happenstance introductions, that some would say, were driven by destiny. Individually, The Badlees are very different on many levels, each coming to the table with unique personalities and musical influences. However, these differences are why The Badlees worked in the first place and hence, survived the ups and downs in the ever changing music industry. A true band is when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and The Badlees are no exception.

In 1990, the band embarked on a journey that is currently entering its 3^rd decade of creating The Badlees sound. Since then, the music business has seen its fair share of trends but The Badlees only focused on their own trend; making great music without regard to what is in vogue. Wrapping complex, thought-provoking lyrics in the rock band format is The Badlees secret sauce.

Over the past 22 years, The Badlees continued to produce relevant music without regard to the trends. In 2012, The Badlees will enter the studio to record their 10^th studio release following up their latest release, See Me As A Picture: The Best, So Far, an 18-song compilation of musical highlights from the band’s career. See Me tries to accomplish the unthinkable task of representing a 22-year career in an hour of music. Considering that the band’s career features a couple of major label record deals, radio hits, and national critical acclaim, a true summation of the band’s career won’t get the proper attention it deserves in a few paragraphs.

Emish is high-powered rock with Irish heart and described as “a force to be reckoned with” by Matthew Nelligan, President of the Irish 2000. Whether they are playing on the main stage at a festival, theater halls or pubs, Emish brings an energy packed show with witty banter on stage, leaving their fans asking for more.

With their versatility and well-seasoned skills, combined with on-stage foot stomping energy and offstage charisma, Emish has been making fans from one coast to the other. Their music includes “emishified” traditional songs and tunes with their own original compositions that creates a sound described as “High-Powered Rock with Irish Heart”. In seven years since the conception of the group, they have recorded three albums. Including debut album “This Light” 2007, “One More Round” 2008, and “Sinners Make the Best Saints” 2011. Whether they are playing on the main stage at a festival, theater halls or pubs, Emish brings an energy packed show with witty banter on stage, leaving their fans asking for more.

Musically, Emish has both polished and expanded their approach while retaining the quality of their sound that has hooked so many of their fans. Still very much present is the plaintive and moving lyrics and song writing of Bobby Curreri. Matched with the driving fiddle and flute duo of Christy Brown and Jennifer Curreri and solid rhythm of Andrew Hulle on drums and Mike Goliber on bass, Emish and their new material have been dubbed as “A force to be reckoned with” by Matthew Nelligan, President of the Irish 2000, which is one of the nations largest Irish Music Festivals. They have also been characterized as a “Wall of Sound” which emanates not only the power of their music, but the power behind it. All of this has fans screaming rave reviews and has rocketed Emish into the spotlight of the North American Irish Festival circuit.

Jimmy Vivino serves as the Music Director on the TBS late night show “CONAN.” Vivino has been a consistent element in O’Brien’s late night career, starting with the first episode of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” in September 1993. In June of 2008 Vivino moved from New York to Los Angeles and worked as Music Director/guitarist/arranger on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” “The Legally Prohibited from Being on Television Tour” and currently leads “Jimmy Vivino and The Basic Cable Band” on “CONAN.”

When not appearing weeknights on TBS, Vivino divides his time between recording sessions and live gigs throughout the country. In addition to his solo work, Vivino plays with the successful Beatles tribute band “The Fab Faux.” Vivino has also recorded and played live with such legends as Johnnie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm and Al Kooper. Earlier in his career Jimmy got his start producing playing and arranging for such artists as Phoebe Snow, Laura Nyro, John Sebastian and Donald Fagen.

Prior to landing in television, Vivino worked on Broadway and in film. He arranged and orchestrated the scores for “Leader of the Pack” on Broadway, as well as “Sister Act” and “Sister Act 2” for Disney.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Vivino currently resides in Burbank, California.

“It’s all about the song.  It has to be.  If it isn’t, then as far as I’m concerned, you’re missing the point.”  These words spoken by Pat O’Shea in a recent interview speak volumes about the singer/songwriter/guitarist and his band The Honest Men.  In a world where much of the music of the day runs rampant with empty bravado and even emptier content, a band like The Honest Men is a lung full of fresh air.  Five members all focused on “the song”.  “It’s really a ‘sum of the parts’ kind of thing” explains O’Shea.  “I’m a guitarist, a guitar solo is a great thing – as long as it serves the song.  But not every song needs a guitar solo or maybe not even any kind of solo.  And these are the kind of songs we write.  Songs that speak, that speak to me.  If it speaks to me then I have to believe it’s going to speak to others.”

O’Shea has the kind of musical pedigree many only dream of having.  He spent six years as guitarist for the legendary Levon Helm.  He toured extensively during that time playing “…joints to festivals and everywhere in between.”  He has also played guitar along side the late blues legend Hubert Sumlin as a frequent substitute in the Howlin’ Wolf Tribute Band.  He did a stint playing guitar for Grammy winning bluesman Joe Louis Walker.   O’Shea has also performed and/or recorded with James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Johnny Johnson, David “Fathead” Newman, David Johansen, Bobby Keys, Bernard Purdie, Jerry Jamott, Lee Roy Parnell, The Kentucky Headhunters, Delaney and Bonnie Bramblett, Larry Campbell, Tony Garnier and Dave Edmunds.

The rest of The Honest Men bring a combined over 80 years of touring, performing and recording experience.  All have spent the majority of their lives as career musicians and are staples in the enormous music scene in and around the New York metropolitan area  “Its the best band I’ve ever been in”  says O’Shea.  “I’m thrilled to have these guys around me, they’re some of the best players I know.  I’m a lucky guy to get to play with my best friends night after night.”

“It’s straight ahead American rock and roll,” says O’Shea.  “It’s songs with strong musical content, three part harmonies, parts that grab you and refuse to let you go, and some of the most honest song writing you’ve heard in a long time.”