Catching up with Stem - By Lynn Ramage’

One of the strong local cover bands in this area is a band based out of the Northeast called STEM. Very powerful four piece fronted by a top vocalist Nick Brambilla, Brendan O”Boyle on guitar and vocals, Pete Pendal on drums, and Dominic Taurino on bass and vocal. They have been together about a decade. Nick, I actually booked as often as I could in an all original band that I adored called “Teachers Pet.” We met many moons ago as vocal students of Debbie Scarpell (Pink’s coach) and we all remained friends over the years. It’s great to see Nick and the band STEM doing so well with playing rooms all over the region like: AJ’s Sports bar in Levittown, Frank’s Tavern in NJ, Michaels in Wildwood, Slackers in Maryland, Pat’s Shamrock in Philadelphia, and Brady’s Irish Pub in Bensalem . They are covering hits from National acts like Audioslave, Velvet Revolver, Led Zeppelin, STP, Foo Fighters, Godsmack, to good punchy dance rock, and their set list goes on and on. I had a chance to catch up with Nick and this is what we talked about:

L.R: Nick what’s STEM been up to and how are things going?

N.B: The band is doing great we are having the best time going into some new rooms,
meeting some really cool people, having a blast. We have reunited with Dominic on bass. He was with me when I first started a cover band; we were called Earcandy a long time ago and its great having him back in the band He adds a thundering bass like always. Our old bass player, Greg Cash, moved to California; we wish him lots of luck. We joined up with a manager named Joe Butler, who does a great job getting us some really good rooms. He has been in the business a long time and knows it well.

L.R: You mentioned that you are favoring some of the cozier rooms and the crowds seem to
get more into the music? (Describe)

N.B: We like to go into places with no rules on what you have to play. Let us work the room, when customers shout out a song and the band will play it, hopefully. It lets them know we are there for them to party with, makes them get more involved, hang out, or come up and sing if they want. I give out those Mardi-Gras beads; the girls love them. If its your birthday, you will have a good time because its my job to make sure of that. We like that atmosphere.

L.R: With so many changes, mainly with the radio these days, what and how do you see that
possibly affecting the scene?

N.B: I don’t think it will affect the scene you don’t even need regular radio
With all the ways to get music today, whether it be computer, satellite (have one it’s the best), or cable TV, there is music playing 24/7. Technology today is great.

L.R: What songs do you think the masses like to hear the most and why?

N.B: Well that depends on where we play. Our friends over at AJ’S Sports Bar, which is a great rock room on Friday, love the classic rock, any Led Zeppelin is a big number there. Brady’s Irish Pub, play anything you want someone there will like it, they treat us good.
Slackers in Maryland is a hot room, the heavier we are the louder they get- Metalica,
Disturbed, Godsmack, Audioslave, Tool , and it’s mostly girls asking for it. That goes to show ya, you can dance to anything when you’re drunk. There are excellent people there. I love that room. When we play down the shore, its a little more dance music, fun stuff. Its all on what type of band you are and the places you play. If they want to dance, we play it. If they want it heavy, we love it.

L.R: What advice would you give to anyone just starting a band like yours today?

N.B: Get really good musicians that you get along with and a lead singer who can sing and knows what he/she can and can’t do. pick songs around your singer. I can’t say enough about the guys in this band. We work so good together Brendan is a phenomenal guitar player, very talented has a great sound and good harmonies, sometimes playing two guitar parts. I don’t know how he does it. Pete is the hardest hitting drummer I ever played with. He has excellent drumming skills and knows his instrument well. He also played and lived California for years, opening for a lot of big acts. Dominic is a natural bass player. He has a lot of groove, a really good ear, and great stage presence.

To book Stem contact:

Nick Brambilla
215-208-9248
or
Joe Butler
215-288-9948

Web site:
www.stemlive.com