Charlie Sub & Sound Dogs – The Bronx Is Burning

By starrymag | June 28, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) We pull heavily from 70’s rock n’ roll influences, alongside jazz, blues and soul elements.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) A wide variety of artists from many decades including Hendrix, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Cream, the Doors, the Ramones, Springsteen and many others.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new single “The Bronx is Burning.”

A) The track builds in climatic tension to reflect the chaos, dread and anger of the late 70’s NYC scene. In 1977 I was living on my own just out of college. New York was in bad shape at that point – the city was bankrupt, “Son of Sam” was terrorizing people and landlords were burning down their buildings to collect insurance on their bad investments. People were on edge and there was a palpable energy. The highlight of that year was the Yankees, under Billy Martin, winning the World Series. As you watched the home games on TV, clouds of smoke from the burning Bronx buildings would sweep over the field.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think several aspects of the song intrigue people.  The band is amazing with all our seven members having high energy solos. But we tell a story–the lyrics express the anxiety and resilience of NYC in the 70s.

Q) Charlie, you heavily note that you took a lot of inspiration from 70’s rock n’ roll, and that your father owned Queens nightclub The Coventry. How has that inspired you and your songwriting?

Our band has a great back story, my Dad, Paul Sub, owned Queens Coventry Nightclub in the 1970s. It was a ground-breaking nightspot that introduced New York to glam and punk rock. Kiss played their first performance there as well as many early shows with the Ramones, New York Dolls, Blondie, the Dictators and many other revolutionary bands. My first job was with my Dad here and had a profound influence on my musical identity. I saw all the behind the scenes hard work and other 70s activities.  It just kind of reinforced a few axioms about being in the right place at the right time in front of the right person. You never know who is in the crowd so you should always bring your A-game to each show. Hard work pays off obviously.

Rehearse, rehearse and keep an open mind to other bands and members of your band.  There is no magic formula. It is hard work. An over-night sensation is almost unheard of in today’s climate.

These now-famous guys just starting out weren’t the best role models!  And it was odd in the 70s watching men apply full make-up, glitter and wigs as Kiss did nightly.  So, I thought back then that was not what to do…Who knew?! Just be your true self and bring people into the journey.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The video is from a recent live show at Ethyls, the 1970s inspired club I opened in the Upper East Side interspersed with some clips from the literal burning of the Bronx including firetrucks and looting.  I think it is both a great video for the music and the historical context melding together.

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) My name is on the band and I write all the songs/lyrics. That being said, I welcome input from all band members and we have a producer Ryan Brahms who has had several songs on the charts who directs rehearsals. As the old saying goes, “you don’t want to see how the sausage is made but just savor the taste!”

Q) What songs off your upcoming EP are you looking forward to performing live?

A) We have a rotation of about 15 songs we perform.  The ones from the EP are in pretty much all are shows.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

A) Ultimately, just a musical journey expressed through my life experiences with a current twist on 70’s rock.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) We perform throughout Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn often.  All venues are unique and bring a different vibe and energy on a particular night.  We treat each show professionally with a feel-good attitude. This is not Sophie’s Choice about choosing a favorite. It is NYC and as the song goes…Well, you choose the song…old or new. [laughs]

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Social media is an amazing way to express ourselves, which did not exist in my youth. You can’t obsess over it, but it is absolutely an amazing way to network, share out artistry and energy with everyone.  There is a hedgehog on Instagram with 2 million followers. A few dozen mainstream artists have topped 1 billion hits on YouTube with their videos:  Ed Sheeran, “Despacito,” Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and about a dozen others. Plus, YouTube isn’t even 15 years old.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Profound thanks and appreciation. There are so many entertainment options and to realize people go out of their way to follow you is a supreme compliment.  We will take this inspiration and hope to continue to entertain you.

 

 

 

Watch The Video For “The Bronx is Burning”: