THE BAND IS PRESENTLY ON HIATUS
PERFORMING THE BEST OF THE 60s – 80s
YOU’LL ROCK. YOU’LL DANCE. YOU’RE GONNA LOVE THIS BAND!
The KnightCrawlers LIVE in Ramsey, NJ
Click the button below to listen to a LIVE public performance by The KnightCrawlers as it was recorded from the mixing board. Enjoy!
After 15 years and over 175 appearances, The KnightCrawlers are taking some much-need time away from the stage. This decision was unanimously made mainly in response to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. The season we are currently entering (Winter at the time of this writing), and the financial pressures faced by the venues we play, have also contributed to this decision.
While the members of the band are not full-time professional musicians that depend on income from their live performances, they nonetheless take their commitment to the band very seriously. Untold hours are spent learning songs, rehearsing at home and together, promotion, social media, setting up, performing, tearing down, commuting to shows, etc. This commitment of time, talent, and resources to entertain our fans has value – to you, to the venues who book us, and to the members of the band. While we have made financial concessions to the venues that have supported us the most – to help them during the past year – as a six-member band (with a dedicated sound engineer) with over a decade-long record of success, The KnightCrawlers deserve to be compensated fairly for their time and talent. We hope all the venues that have booked us in the past will be on firmer financial footing come Spring. Please do your part in patronizing these venues over the next few months.
The KnightCrawlers – thanks to your support – have always drawn great crowds that show their appreciation for all we do. With winter upon us soon, the spread of the COVID-19 virus may gain momentum (hopefully not). The only opportunities to perform will be indoors which presents challenges for both the venues and the band. So for the next few months the band will be laying low hopeful that Spring will present ample opportunities to provide LIVE entertainment in a safe environment.
So for now, THANK YOU! Fifteen years is an amazing achievement for any group to work together. It would not be possible without YOU.
Until we see you again, stay well!
– Ron Damato, Mark Scala, Paula Newman, Dirk Vuijst, Alex Stecyna, and Steve Duva
(November 2021)
P.S. If you'd like a dose of The KnightCrawlers LIVE, please click the LISTEN NOW button above! This excellent "off the mixing board" recording is available as a free download as well (sounds awesome in the car!).
A NOTE FROM THE BAND
THE BAND
RON DAMATO Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar / Harmonica
After being chased for years by women who thought he was Johnny Depp, Ron decided to cut his hair and join a Rock and Roll band. Quite remarkably, they still chase him (ah, the power of fronting a Rock and Roll band). Ron’s unique showmanship is surpassed only by his ever-changing guitar and amp collection. And what’s truly amazing is Ron never plays the same guitar once, let alone twice! Member since 2006.
PAULA NEWMAN Lead Vocals / Percussion
Hailing from the ”other side” of Bergen County, Paula is ”the new guy” (er... gal) in the band. While she never met a microphone that she didn’t like, Paula has found singing to be a solution to her mid-life crisis (and she hasn’t even hit her mid-life yet!). Paula’s vocal range has added a new dynamic to the band – opening up some exciting new possibilities into previously unchartered musical waters. Member since 2014.
MARK SCALA Lead Guitar / Vocals
Mark prides himself on being taller than both Angus Young of AC/DC and Jon Anderson of Yes, and is equally happy he’s younger than both. Although “altitudinally challenged”, Mark‘s guitar tone makes him sound larger than life. Mark cites his early musical influences as ”anything you couldn’t possibly dance to.“ When The KnightCrawlers are offered a gig, Mark’s usual reply is, ”just tell me where to stand.“ Member since 2006.
DIRK VUIJST Bass Guitar / Vocals
”Diggler”. Many of you first learned of Dirk‘s big talent in the movie ”Boogie Nights”. Since then, Dirk has settled down, raised a family and learned to play bass guitar. And just like everything else, one word describes his thumping bass – BIG!! When Dirk isn’t slapping those steel strings, he’s twisting metal with his bare hands! A word of warning: If you tell Dirk his bass is too loud, he’ll gladly turn it up for you. Member since 2006.
ALEX STECYNA Keyboards / Vocals
Alex has a last name even his bandmates can’t pronounce. He can usually be seen hopping like a crazed mad man singing Ramones songs at the end of the night. Alex would love to own a real Hammond B3 Organ, but would rather have a healthy back instead (you need a fork lift to move them!) Alex's favorite quote in rehearsal is ”I think we should do it one more time”, to which the band replies in unison ”NO!” Member since 2006.
STEVE DUVA Drums ( just drums... you don’t want to hear him sing )
Steve plays drum with the thunder of John Bonham and intensity of Alex Van Halen – chewing up three pairs of drumsticks a night, (while his bandmates go through three pairs of ear plugs!). Steve is the ”senior” member of the band – not that he's old, but he got his first drums when Lincoln was President. Ba-dum-bum. Steve attended the famed Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp in 2006 and 2008, where he played with some of the biggest names in rock history. When asked if he learned anything new, he replied, “no, but I taught them a few things”. Member since 2006.
