Grow Your Own
by Ian D'Giff, The Village Voice
November 2000

In the stagnant musical landscape that is Long Island, some musicians have decided it is up to them, and only them, to stoke the "scene" so many have envisioned. Witness the first Long Island Palooza, set to take over both floors of the Swing Set in Bay Shore on Nov. 28.

The six-band event is being organized by Orion's Belt leader Elaine Genna, who aims to introduce people who might be fans of just one or two bands to a wider array of LI artists. Genna also wants the artists themselves to meet and make friends with one another, rather than concentrating solely on their own audiences. "There is a lot of talent out here," she says. "But I do think the reason that the LI scene is still relatively unknown is our fault, the musicians, just for the simple fact that we should support each other, but we don't."

In addition to the volatile Blondie-meets-Morrison-and-the-Cure sound of Orion's Belt, LI Palooza will feature the dark and foreboding new-wave stylings of the basals, the psychobilly of the Fritz O'Hara Band, the 10,000 Maniacs-cum-Sundays blend of Gone Again, the rough-edged rock of Stage and the power-pop of Iridesense.

Like many other local musicians, Genna says she has grown disenchanted with a scene that has too many greedy fishes dipping their fins into the pockets of bands. "By doing this, I'm also trying to cut out the middleman," she says. "Behind every corner there are eight thieves. I don't really trust anybody any more."

Finlandia Vodka and Miller Lite have already signed on as sponsors for the event, which will feature band booths, body artists, tarot card readers, caricature drawings and raffles and giveaways.

"There's power in numbers," says Genna. "If we all join forces, chances are if one gets noticed the others have a greater chance to as well."