FRANKLIN TURNPIKE • Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere • February 1, 2014 • West Milford, NJ
- 7 years ago
FRANKLIN TURNPIKE • Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere • February 1, 2014 • West Milford, NJ
North Jersey rock band name for the “famous” Bergen County road: Franklin Turnpike. FTP has shared the stage with Hot Tuna, NRPS, Commander Cody, Tom Constanten and David Nelson among others. Guitarist Dave Kopec has also performed with Jason Crosby, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Sipe, Richie Cannata, Walter Riley King, Shannon McNally, Joe Russo. Bernie Reilly and Eddie Brigati. FTP is currently in the studio recording their long awaited follow-up to “Fat Back City” tentatively titled: “Back Yard Wrestling” Dave Kopec: Guitar and Vocals; Erik Davi: Drums and Vocals; Dave Tarzian: Keyboards, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals; Charlie Holmgren: Bass, Vocals, Disc Golf Pro.
It all started in the Summer of 1990. Four friends: Dave Kopec, Erik Davi, Pete Holmgren, and Rob Terry, converged on Pete’s Garage on the corner of Main Street and Franklin Turnpike in Ramsey NJ. They started jamming songs by all of their favorite bands: Allmans, Dead, Pink Floyd, Clapton, etc. Their hard work culminated with their first ever gig on August 4th, 1990 at The Celtic Pub in beautiful Waldwick, NJ. "I remember soundcheck, which consisted of us, and 11 bar patrons with varying percentages of original teeth in their mouths." says vocalist and guitar player Kopec. "an hour later however, it seemed like 200 people from Ramsey burst through the door, they actually ran out of Budweiser that night!" December of ’90 saw the band play their first gig at the legendary Nobody’s Inn in Mahwah, NJ. (name after the Joyce Kilmer poem: The House with Nobody In It.) This led to a steady weekly gig that the band packed the house for over 4 years running. In the summer of 1992, with a cache of over 200 songs, the band played the always fabulous Wetlands Preserve in NYC. The kept a monthly residency at the club which lasted years as they became a favorite of the club and patrons alike. It was at this time that they also started concentrating heavily on original material. Playing at Wetlands provided an excellent arena for exposure. The band was fortunate to be approached by many other clubs and colleges throughout the Atlantic region . It led to tours including runs through NY, NJ, CT, RI, VT, MA, NH, PA, OH, D.C., VA, NC, MD, and GA. The band was fortunate to meet Blues Traveler producer and live sound engineer Dave Swanson at this time. He offered to produce the band’s debut CD: "Fat Back City". Working with the hi-caliber Swanson proved to be an invaluable experience for the band. This disc also features the talents of the newly acquired Bernie Riley on guitar and vocals and Fred Pastore on bass. While barnstorming clubs and colleges, the band sold thousands of copies of Fat Back City and received fine reviews from Relix Magazine, The Village Voice, and The Golden Road. Perhaps the band’s most fertile period, the mid 90s saw them approached to share the stage with several national acts.
North Jersey rock band name for the “famous” Bergen County road: Franklin Turnpike. FTP has shared the stage with Hot Tuna, NRPS, Commander Cody, Tom Constanten and David Nelson among others. Guitarist Dave Kopec has also performed with Jason Crosby, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Sipe, Richie Cannata, Walter Riley King, Shannon McNally, Joe Russo. Bernie Reilly and Eddie Brigati. FTP is currently in the studio recording their long awaited follow-up to “Fat Back City” tentatively titled: “Back Yard Wrestling” Dave Kopec: Guitar and Vocals; Erik Davi: Drums and Vocals; Dave Tarzian: Keyboards, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals; Charlie Holmgren: Bass, Vocals, Disc Golf Pro.
It all started in the Summer of 1990. Four friends: Dave Kopec, Erik Davi, Pete Holmgren, and Rob Terry, converged on Pete’s Garage on the corner of Main Street and Franklin Turnpike in Ramsey NJ. They started jamming songs by all of their favorite bands: Allmans, Dead, Pink Floyd, Clapton, etc. Their hard work culminated with their first ever gig on August 4th, 1990 at The Celtic Pub in beautiful Waldwick, NJ. "I remember soundcheck, which consisted of us, and 11 bar patrons with varying percentages of original teeth in their mouths." says vocalist and guitar player Kopec. "an hour later however, it seemed like 200 people from Ramsey burst through the door, they actually ran out of Budweiser that night!" December of ’90 saw the band play their first gig at the legendary Nobody’s Inn in Mahwah, NJ. (name after the Joyce Kilmer poem: The House with Nobody In It.) This led to a steady weekly gig that the band packed the house for over 4 years running. In the summer of 1992, with a cache of over 200 songs, the band played the always fabulous Wetlands Preserve in NYC. The kept a monthly residency at the club which lasted years as they became a favorite of the club and patrons alike. It was at this time that they also started concentrating heavily on original material. Playing at Wetlands provided an excellent arena for exposure. The band was fortunate to be approached by many other clubs and colleges throughout the Atlantic region . It led to tours including runs through NY, NJ, CT, RI, VT, MA, NH, PA, OH, D.C., VA, NC, MD, and GA. The band was fortunate to meet Blues Traveler producer and live sound engineer Dave Swanson at this time. He offered to produce the band’s debut CD: "Fat Back City". Working with the hi-caliber Swanson proved to be an invaluable experience for the band. This disc also features the talents of the newly acquired Bernie Riley on guitar and vocals and Fred Pastore on bass. While barnstorming clubs and colleges, the band sold thousands of copies of Fat Back City and received fine reviews from Relix Magazine, The Village Voice, and The Golden Road. Perhaps the band’s most fertile period, the mid 90s saw them approached to share the stage with several national acts.