Frank Sonsini
Interview by Uriah Young
QFTD: What has your musical journey been like since you began playing guitar in bands?
Frank: At age 16, I played my first paying gig at All That Chazz Lounge in Marlton, NJ. I have played in numerous Rock bands since, including Nasty Canasta that gained interest from Polygram Records. With firm knowledge of recording and engineering, I fell into composing music for film and various mediums.
My first film project consisted of composing bone chilling, original music for the 1999, TNT Network production, Faces of Evil. This documentary combines a score by the late Bernard Herrmann, interviews with John Carpenter and Marilyn Manson, and narration by Malcolm McDowell. TNT aired the documentary multiple times.
My music was used as the creepy soundtrack for the short film Last Stand. A Director's Cut from the 2007 zombie film, George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead. E! Entertainment Television featured my Rock music to accompany Tara Reid’s Taradise, somber rhythms for 25 Celebrity Near Death Experiences, and upbeat Rock tracks for the Chelsea Lately Show and 20 Acts Of Love Gone Wrong. After years of studio work, I was anxious to publicly perform and honor the most talented musicians that inspired me throughout my life, bringing me back to my roots, playing the “Blues!”
QFTD: Why was the guitar your choice as an instrument?
Frank: Actually, I started out on drums. My father was a drummer for many years. I was 12-years-old at the time, and one summer day while home from school, I pulled out his old drum kit. Over time, I taught myself to play. Within that time, I found my uncle's electric guitar in my grandfather’s attic. He let me have it, and I knew from how it felt in my hands, that it was the instrument for me!
Uriah: Who is a guitarist that has inspired you?
QFTD: There are many. The most influential were Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page, Toni Iommi, Richie Blackmore and Billie Gibbons.
Uriah: What makes your band unique?
Frank: The years of musical experience that each of us have individually, have made us into well rounded and versatile musicians, allowing us to perform at a top professional level. We have an intense energy between all of us that is undeniable and it is conveyed to the audience. We have been told that when we perform, you can feel the instruments talking to you!
QFTD: If you could describe your band's style, how would you describe it?
Frank: Edgy, Blues / Rock consisting of all the feel, technique, energy and elements from every one of our past and present influences.
QFTD: What songs are your favorite to play and why?
Frank: Man, that’s a tough one. We meticulously picked every song in our set lists based on uniqueness , feel, style and quality of song writing.
QFTD: If a you could give advice to a young person about playing in a band, what advice would you give?
Frank: If it is your dream, NEVER give up! Never let anyone tell you, you can’t do it. Don’t let anyone get in your way. Practice, practice, practice to the point that you don’t even have to think about what your hands are doing. When you play, feel it from your brain, heart, soul and let it flow out of your hands, mouth etc.
To see more from Frank and The Blues Hawks, click below.
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