Take everything you thought you knew about Rock N' Roll and throw it out the window. Pinwheel, a rock quartet from the Morris Park section of The Bronx, are breaking the walls down and freeing rock from its' boundaries.

      Pinwheel, consisting of Sal Scoca (lead vocals/guitar), Joe Ragalbuto (guitar/vocals), Vic Pena (bass/vocals) and Pete Santagada (drums) have been writing and performing original music since 1994. Their first album, Dear Blue..., is due out in record stores early 2001, but the first single off the album can already be heard on the radio. Dear Blue..., was produced by Joey Hone at Muzic Unlimited, and released by an independent label called Indi-Arts Entertainment.

      It has been a dream for the members of Pinwheel to hear their music over the radio ever since they got together a decade ago. For as many years as they dreamed of the arrival of that moment, nothing could have prepared these Bronx boys for the true reality of it. When Dear Blue... came over the airways on WLIR 92.7 FM in November 2000, only the band's singer/guitarist, Sal Scoca, was around to hear it. "It was about 1:30 a.m. and I couldn't sleep," he said. "I turned on the radio and there it was, our song. I was so excited."

      Scoca was so excited that he started jumping up and down screaming like a little kid. "I felt like I was a winner on Who Wants to be a Millionaire," exclaimed Scoca. But by the time the lead singer got through on the telephone to his fellow band members, the upbeat three-minute song had ended. However, the song has since began moving into LIR's regular rotation and is now being played throughout the day. The hot new radio single is also a favorite at the band's live shows.

      Pinwheel puts on a killer performance every time they get up on the stage. Through their edgy, original rock n' roll tunes and moving ballads, the quartet have developed a regular following of a diverse group of fans in Manhattan, Westchester and of course their home town - The Bronx.

      Most recently, they put on a kick ass show on Saturday, December 23 at Kenny's Castaway's in the trendy East Village of Manhattan. About 75 of Pinwheel's regular groupies came out to support their favorite local band.

      "One thing I can say is that it's worth it to come see us live," Scoca boasted. "You can expect to see four guys generating enough heat up on the stage to blow the roof off the place." Although the band has been having a streak of good luck lately, Scoca isn't getting his hopes up just yet. "Pinwheel has had so many letdowns over the years," expressed Scoca, who also writes the lyrics to their brilliant songs. "We've learned to expect the worst but hope for the best."

      For now, hope is what keeps the boys rocking. Pinwheel is still in dire need of a record deal and contract. As good as the band is currently doing, they still need the support of fans who can and should request their music at their favorite radio stations. Hell, when they make a video (a meeting with the local video production group, Harrington Talents is currently in the works), push them on TRL(read YBFREE.com's article on MTV).

      The guys from Pinwheel are determined to make it to the top. They have what it takes, the sound, the lyrics and the look. Now all they need is you.

      Send your comments and or questions about this article to Phyllis Provino-Cullen.

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