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a review of a ZELDA PINWHEEL live show on NOVEMBER 30, 2001 @ the saint in asbury park, nj.
writen by kerri daskin.
published in 'The Two River Times' in the week of december 14-21, 2001

Zelda Pinwheel, a local band from Middletown, played a show at The Saint in Asbury Park on November 30. It was the band's first scheduled show in nearly two years and they performed with a stripped down line-up.
Cousins Stephen Quaranta and James Dellatacoma create the abstract, all-encompassing sound that makes Zelda Pinwheel startlingly unique. A tremendous amount of growth has occurred in these two musicians in the last two years and their different styles are gelling more than ever.
Moving away from the more melodic songs they were performing and recording for their album "As Seen Through a Thin Sheet of Glass", which was released May, 2001 by the band's own record company Transparent Voice Records, Quaranta and Dellatacoma performed a seamless set of dizzying delayed and heavily affected guitar licks. This sound was accented by several other instruments including a melodica (small keyboard that makes sound when you blow air through it - made known by the Kinks), a toy xylophone, a voice modification device, a drum machine, tape loops, a screwdriver for sound effects on the guitar, a violin bow and the E-Bow, a device which makes Quaranta's guitar playing sound more like an entire string section.
Zelda Pinwheel generally plays at smaller venues such as the Internet Cafe in Red Bank and Cafe 52 in New Brunswick. "It was nice to be able to play loud and to use the electronics we have been playing around with," said Quaranta.
Quaranta's style is infused with a post-rock artsy feeling and his creative edge echoes that of bands like godspeed you black emperor! and Mogwai. Dellatacoma's style reflected his interest in all types of music including heavy metal and funk. His guitar playing added soul to the mix. The combination of the two styles made their performance a journey through a disjointed but gorgeous universe for the listeners. The crowd at The Saint, which had been warmed up by more typical bar bands No Soap Radio and Glen Closer, stood quietly listening to Zelda Pinwheel's unusual sound.
The songs, according to Quaranta, are not the same every time. "We have motifs, basically," he said, calling their style of playing "structured improvisation." "We want them to be recognizable songs," he said, "but not the same recognizable song every time."
The set consisted of four songs, one blurring into the next. "And the Blue Stretched for Miles" and "The Fabric of Our Lives" are new songs and "Serenity (now!)" and "Circles for the Blind" are from the album. Some of the songs include some vocals by Quaranta, showcasing his unusually strong voice.
Zelda Pinwheel's set was followed by a performance by the band, Celesphere.
Dellatacoma is a sound engineer for well-known producer Bill Laswell at his production company, Material. Quaranta is a substitute teacher in Staten Island and a part-time employee at Jack's Music in Red Bank. The two cousins have been playing together since they were children. They are currently recording another album.
According to Quaranta, the band is trying to set up some shows in both New York City and Philadelphia for later this winter. You can find out more about the band or purchase "As Seen Through a Thin Sheet of Glass" at their website, www.zeldapinwheel.com. The band can be seen almost every Sunday night at the Internet Cafe in Red Bank.

a guestbook post by
BRIAN McGary of CELESPHERE

'i enjoy your cd more & more each time i listen to it, & i stress that last verb because just "hearing" the record, while good for putting me in a warm slumber, doesn't do the sonic intracacies justice.'


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here's what some people had to say about us (if that sort of thing matters to you...) a review of a ZELDA PINWHEEL live show on NOVEMBER 30, 2001 @ the saint in asbury park, nj. writen by kerri daskin. published in 'The Two River Times' in the week of december 14-21, 2001 Zelda Pinwheel, a local band from Middletown, played a show at The Saint in Asbury Park on November 30. It was the band's first scheduled show in nearly two years and they performed with a stripped down line-up. Cousins Stephen Quaranta and James Dellatacoma create the abstract, all-encompassing sound that makes Zelda Pinwheel startlingly unique. A tremendous amount of growth has occurred in these two musicians in the last two years and their different styles are gelling more than ever. Moving away from the more melodic songs they were performing and recording for their album "As Seen Through a Thin Sheet of Glass", which was released May, 2001 by the band's own record company Transparent Voice Records, Quaranta and Dellatacoma performed a seamless set of dizzying delayed and heavily affected guitar licks. This sound was accented by several other instruments including a melodica (small keyboard that makes sound when you blow air through it - made known by the Kinks), a toy xylophone, a voice modification device, a drum machine, tape loops, a screwdriver for sound effects on the guitar, a violin bow and the E-Bow, a device which makes Quaranta's guitar playing sound more like an entire string section. Zelda Pinwheel generally plays at smaller venues such as the Internet Cafe in Red Bank and Cafe 52 in New Brunswick. "It was nice to be able to play loud and to use the electronics we have been playing around with," said Quaranta. Quaranta's style is infused with a post-rock artsy feeling and his creative edge echoes that of bands like godspeed you black emperor! and Mogwai. Dellatacoma's style reflected his interest in all types of music including heavy metal and funk. His guitar playing added soul to the mix. The combination of the two styles made their performance a journey through a disjointed but gorgeous universe for the listeners. The crowd at The Saint, which had been warmed up by more typical bar bands No Soap Radio and Glen Closer, stood quietly listening to Zelda Pinwheel's unusual sound. The songs, according to Quaranta, are not the same every time. "We have motifs, basically," he said, calling their style of playing "structured improvisation." "We want them to be recognizable songs," he said, "but not the same recognizable song every time." The set consisted of four songs, one blurring into the next. "And the Blue Stretched for Miles" and "The Fabric of Our Lives" are new songs and "Serenity (now!)" and "Circles for the Blind" are from the album. Some of the songs include some vocals by Quaranta, showcasing his unusually strong voice. Zelda Pinwheel's set was followed by a performance by the band, Celesphere. Dellatacoma is a sound engineer for well-known producer Bill Laswell at his production company, Material. Quaranta is a substitute teacher in Staten Island and a part-time employee at Jack's Music in Red Bank. The two cousins have been playing together since they were children. They are currently recording another album. According to Quaranta, the band is trying to set up some shows in both New York City and Philadelphia for later this winter. You can find out more about the band or purchase "As Seen Through a Thin Sheet of Glass" at their website, www.zeldapinwheel.com. The band can be seen almost every Sunday night at the Internet Cafe in Red Bank. a guestbook post by BRIAN McGary of CELESPHERE 'i enjoy your cd more & more each time i listen to it, & i stress that last verb because just "hearing" the record, while good for putting me in a warm slumber, doesn't do the sonic intracacies justice.'


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