Renowned New York City guitarist and singer-songwriter Steve Conte (New York Dolls, Michael Monroe) is back with his latest release, The Concrete Jangle , on Stevie Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records.
The new album includes 10 tracks of what Conte describes as the 60s meets 80s power pop about truth versus misinformation, entitlement, boredom, addiction and loss, and love and lust, of which half is co-written with Andy Partridge of XTC fame, who also happens to be one of Conte's musical heroes.
The lead single "We Like It" is a who's who of rockers that all contribute their unique voices to the backing vocals, including Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Lillywhite (Ultravox), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople), Simon Kirke (Bad Company), Marc Broussard, Palmyra Delran, and The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli.
Conte plays a multitude of guitars and other instruments and brings a bunch more of his famous friends and musical talents in on the action.
Co-producer Andrew Hollander plays piano and Mellotron, while keyboard whiz Rob Schwimmer adds an authentic 1960s Ondioline as well as Theremin and synthesizer sounds; trumpets by Chris Anderson, cello by Mark Stewart, and drums by Prairie Prince (The Tubes, XTC, Todd Rundgren), Thommy Price (Joan Jett, Billy Idol, Mink DeVille), and Brian Delaney (New York Dolls).
Even brother John plays bass, and his two sons, Zia and Baz, sing backing vocals.
This latest project is clearly a labor of love.
Conte stopped by the LifeMinute TV Studios in Times Square recently to discuss the new album and enthrall us with a history of his varied musical background, which includes, most famously, his stint as the new lead guitarist for the reformed New York Dolls in 2004 with original members David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain, and Arthur "Killer" Kane.