Twice Around
Short History of a Small Band
It was twenty years ago today…no wait…that’s when Sgt Pepper taught the band to play. Well actually it has been a lot longer than that now. More like forty one years…no wait…that was when we first heard about it being “twenty years ago today”, so that really makes it about sixty one years ago now…whew. But that is not what this is about. This is supposed to be a short history of the duo Twice Around, although it’s starting to look like it is a little too late for that…the shortness that is, not the history.
O.K. our story starts almost 17 years ago. The Place: Darien Dinner Theatre, Darien, CT. The Time: 1991. The Show: “West Side Story”. Frank was working as a stagehand and Luisa was working as an actress. Frank introduces himself. After checking with management, Luisa is reassured that “looks notwithstanding, Frank is relatively harmless" and they become fast friends. They soon discover a mutual interest in music. They also soon discover that their musical tastes couldn’t be farther apart. Frank figures Luisa can be corrected of this over time but has presently given up the fight.
Fast-forward three years. They are now spending their evenings doing the bar (and occasional beach) circuit with the ten- piece R&B band “Step Edna”. It is here that they meet a talented singer named Maureen Wasik. While performing over the next couple of years, they decide that while all this large band stuff is great, they also love acoustic guitar based music and vocal harmonies, so in their off time with the band, decide to form an acoustic trio. They name the group "FreeFall", and from 1997 thru 2001 they play regularly in coffee shops, books stores, etc. and quickly build a small (but large) following (it's all about perspective).
The year 2000 saw the release of their debut album
“…Flying”. On this release they expanded their usual live trio sound by enlisting the help of some of their talented friends. These include Chris Aleo and Steve Young (Frank’s old bandmates), Gene Heiter and Lou Fiorillo from “Step Edna”, and Chris “Opey” D’Amato and Billy Bileca. from “Smokin’Opey”. Most of the music is recorded in Frank’s basement studio, and it is there where a lot of it still resides in a cardboard box.
In 2002, Frank & Luisa officially became a duo. They figured it was safer than unofficially becoming one. After much angst and deliberation, they named themselves Twice Around, and it is under this moniker that they continue to create and perform music that they love.
A lot of love went into making this music, so Karmic-ly this CD is destined for greatness. Realistically however...well, that's a whole other conversation.
No one knows what the future holds, but it is sure to be exciting, and they would like nothing better than to have you along for the ride…figuratively speaking of course…with all of the equipment and stuff, there is not a heck of a lot of room for you in the car.Back to Top
