Several months ago, I, Jon Minners sat in The Bronx Times Reporter's office, when a co-worker came in raving about a new band she had interviewed for an article in the paper. Phyllis Provino-Cullen had grown fond of the band and felt they were destined to make it to the big time. With a song on the radio and a CD being sold, Pinwheel seemed to have all the right tools to make it to the world of MTV and rock star fame. They were just missing one ingredient and that was a contract with a major record label.

     That's where BANDWIDTH comes in. Phyllis is a co-worker of mine, so I agreed to have an article printed in our e-zine about the band. Phyllis wrote the article and I gave the CD a listen. I get a hundred independent CDs to review and most of them have become coffee mug coasters. If you have read my reviews, and in this issue, I rip up two groups who had no business in music, you know I am critical and often times downright insulting. However, this band kicked ass and I decided to write an accompanying piece about the CD. They had the stuff and it soon became a personal mission to get these fellow Morris Park residents, a spot on TRL and constant rotation on every major radio station across the world.

     Now a three-man group, Pinwheel is actually better than before, and in this issue of BANDWIDTH, Phyllis Provino-Cullen, the woman who started the ball rolling, sits with each member of the band to get to know them better and let the readers learn what Pinwheel is all about. This is it. Fifteen Minutes with Pinwheel.

Provino-Cullen: When did you first realize that you wanted to be in a band? What are your influences in terms of music? If you could name a few bands that play similar to your style, who are they?

Pete: At about 14 or 15, my mother got me my first drum set. I was listening to Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue and Bon Jovi and they influenced the way I play the drums. When I listen to our song, Believe, I picture Bon Jovi. Right now, I am listening to Our Lady Peace. The Beatles and the Foo Fighters have also influenced the way I play.

Provino-Cullen: How do you feel about your current position, having a song played on 92.7 WLIR, having a CD and playing such spots as Kenny's Castaways in Manhattan, and the Shannon Sea View in The Bronx? What do you owe your success to?

Pete: It's important that music and the band come first. It's a great feeling to hear our music on the radio and see how successful we are becoming. It can give you a real ego trip, but I don't want it to get to that point. I want to continue to be me. I always wanna be cool and be my own person. No matter what happens with Pinwheel, I am gonna be cool.

Provino-Cullen: Where does the name Pinwheel come from? What does it mean?

Pete: It's colorful. We could be any genre of music that we want to be. The name just fits.

Provino-Cullen: What other interests do you have outside of your music and do those interests end up playing a role in your music?

Pete: Having sex and stopping before climaxing. It gives me the energy to play better. It's an adrenaline rush. I like girls who shave properly. I also collect figures-dragons, mostly. Anything Oriental. We also like the strip bar and the alcohol.

Provino-Cullen: Where do you see Pinwheel at this time next year?

Pete: I want to be the most downloaded band on the Internet. I want to win awards and do a pay-per-view contest.

Provino-Cullen: What steps are you taking to get there?

Pete: I would like us to do another CD and start playing different areas. (The members of Pinwheel are currently getting ready to make another CD and are gearing up to play in Philadelphia).

Provino-Cullen: When did you first realize that you wanted to be in a band?

Sal: When I was 11. I went to see the Kinks with my brother. My eardrums started to bleed. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Better than losing my virginity.

Provino-Cullen: What instruments do you play?

Sal: Any stringed instruments and piano.

Provino-Cullen: What are your influences in terms of music? If you could name a few bands that play similar to your style, who are they?

Sal: I was into Saigon Kick. They were my role model and how I wanted the band to sound. I'd like to see Poison, Britney Fox and Cinderella rather than Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach.

Provino-Cullen: Where does the name Pinwheel come from?

Sal: It was in 1995 and we were trying to think of a name. It was around the 4th of July and there were fireworks everywhere. I had a name in my head and I told Pete to guess what I was thinking and he did. There it was-Pinwheel.

Provino-Cullen: Who or what do you owe your current success to? How do you make it in this field? What dedication is needed? How much money is needed? What do you have to think about before deciding to start a band?

Sal: 100% dedication, no social life and lots of money. You have to have a day job.

Provino-Cullen: At one time a member of the band left the group, yet you played on and did a better job. Would you care to comment on that?

Sal: We tried for years to find someone, but they all had that attitude. (Vic Pena jokingly adds, "Now Sal has it.") Aside from members coming and going, we've been a close family. (Editor's note: Sal was not always the lead singer. For more on that, read Vic Pena's interview.)

Provino-Cullen: How do you feel about your current position, having a song played on 92.7 WLIR, having a CD and playing such spots as Kenny's Castaways in Manhattan and the Shannon Sea View in the Bronx?

Sal: We're constantly chopping away at songwriting. Just because there is one song on the radio, doesn't mean you should just rest there. You always want to improve what you have. Also, we are currently seeking legal representation. I'd also like to announce that my breast implants will be in by June so that guys in the band will pay more attention.

Provino-Cullen: What's next for the band?

Sal: We're doing shows in Philadelphia.

Provino-Cullen: Where does the inspiration come from your songs? I understand Dear Blue has an interesting story behind the writing and what it means.

Sal: The inspiration comes from my groin. There was not much of one for Dear Blue. It was a challenge for myself to write a song in under five minutes.

Provino-Cullen: What other interests do you have outside of your music and do those interests end up playing a role behind the writing and what it means?

Sal: I'm into avid masturbation. I use my brain a lot. I could think myself into an orgasm. It doesn't effect my music at all. I just wanted to announce that.

Provino-Cullen: Any other interests?

Sal: I like to catch independent flicks at least once a month. We also like the strip bar and the alcohol.

Provino-Cullen: Would you like to say anything to those who are a little bit leery of watching an independent band perform?

Sal: I will make a guarantee that if you come and see us, you'll like us. We're three hardworking guys who will sweat to put on a good show.

Provino-Cullen: When did you first realize you wanted to be in a band?

Vic: Since I was a child. My dad woke me up to watch Led Zeppelin. I was mesmerized. I was about five or six at this time and I had a guitar at nine, given to me by my grandfather. I broke my wrist at 12 and didn't play again until 16.

Provino-Cullen: What other instruments besides bass do you know how to play?

Vic: Percussion and piano.

Provino-Cullen: What are your influences in terms of music? If you could name a few bands that play similar to your style, who are they?

Vic: Nirvana is a big influence. So are Green Day and Our Lady Peace. I like the good old days of rock-n-roll when bands like KISS would perform.

Provino-Cullen: How did you all meet up? How has the band changed over the years?

Vic: I joined in 1994. Sal and Pete have been together for 12 years. We met through a mutual friend and I filled in for the bass player. I saw that I could go somewhere with these guys. I used to see them play in clubs and I started poking around in studios and I got to know them. 90% of the time, it has been the three of us. We went through a lot of singers. Our singer at the time started not to show up so when we rehearsing, Sal was singing. As time went on, it was Sal singing the songs. We wanted the songs to be written for us and Sal was able to do that. Me and Pete saw potential in Sal to sing more. It came to the point when we didn't need our lead singer anymore and Sal was able to take his place.

Provino-Cullen: Who is behind Pinwheel? We see the band playing, but who else, if anyone plays an important role in the growth of the band?

Vic: Three main people have helped us. Phyllis Provino-Cullen, Maria Shell and Joey Hone.

Provino-Cullen: How do you make it in this field? What do you owe your success to?

Vic: It takes a lot of work and sacrifice.

Provino-Cullen: Who or what do you owe your success to and what other interests do you have that helps you in your musical career?

Vic: My family. They give me a thriving energy. We also like the strip bar and the alcohol. I also work out and read. All of that helps me focus on my passion and music.

Provino-Cullen: Any memories that stand out in your mind as Pinwheel rides the road to success?

Vic: We had a show a couple of years ago at the Blackthorn and someone slipped a mickey in Sal's drink. We sobered him up and threw him onstage to perform. I sobered him up with ginger ale and coffee.

Provino-Cullen: Where do you see Pinwheel at this time next year?

Vic: I'm playing for the best. This time next year, I want us to be a household name. Hopefully by then, we will be on a major record label.

Pinwheel

By Jon Minners

     These Morris Park residents are doing the Bronx proud. The Bronx has long been dumped on for being a place where criminals roam, and trash belongs, but as the new slogan says, The Bronx is Beautiful. I am from the Bronx and yes I do show some partiality to the borough I have been a part of for 25 years. Forget the New York Yankees. I am proud to say that two great wrestlers, The Boogie Knights, hail from The Bronx. I am happy to say that The Bronx has one of the best video production crews in Harrington Talents and most importantly, I am honored to say that The Bronx rocks once again, with Pinwheel leading the charge. On March 24, Pinwheel returned to the Bronx and put on a show at The Shannon Sea View, on 50 Pennyfield Avenue, in The Bronx.

     The place was packed. There was standing room only and if you decided to sit down, you weren't going to see a thing. Crowds of people gathered near the stage to see Pinwheel's return to The Bronx. Unlike shows at Kenny's Castaway, where other bands performed before Pinwheel, this show was theirs and theirs alone. Everyone in the room was there to see them, and no one left disappointed.

     Pinwheel rocked the house until 1:30 in the morning with the songs that have made them famous in the area. Dear Blue, Time Bomb and a Memory, Frozen, Believe and much more were performed in some unique ways. Sal added in vocals from Billy Joel and U2 into Dear Blue and made an all ready hot song, hotter. Their rendition of No Woman, No Cry, was rather interesting to say the least. Billy Childs from Britney Fox was on hand for a song, and Joey Hone, the group's engineer, even performed with the band for a song. I remember this guy from his days as a customer when I worked at Carvel. You can kind of tell the guy can rock. He kicks ass!

     There is nothing like hearing the band perform live. I listen to the CD a lot, and I will play Believe over and over again, but it is so much better in person. Always great to see a band starting out. May be the only time I can be so close to the action. I was upset to see the show end, but what a great way to end the show with a cover of the Kinks' Destroyer. They were originally not going to play the song, but the crowd wanted more and they got it. After the band played their set, many of the crowd stuck around talking to the band, congratulating them and buying CDs. Pinwheel is full of class. They are a polished act and they respect the fans that put them where they are today. A record contract cannot be far away.

     For more information on Pinwheel, you can read the interview in this issue, read articles in past issues of BANDWIDTH or go to Pinwheelonline.net, listen to their music, and buy their CD. Tell them BANDWIDTH sent you. You'll be happy you went. In a time when boy bands and pop stars are running rampant in the world of music, it is nice to see the return of rock-Pinwheel!