ABOUT
ELM TREASON is the musical union of Andy Roman and Bobby Steel.
Two dudes who adore - and live for - music.
First, a word about their sound: Truly, the band’s vibe is quite eclectic – from bluesy rock to trippy grooves, from jangly guitar pop to pseudo-Brit rock; from 6/8 to 4/4; from neo-progressive to pentatonic scale heaven. And a few stops in between.
And all of it - ROCKOUSTIC!
Not “Acoustic Rock.” That doesn’t cover it.
The word is “ROCKOUSTIC.”
Some rock, some glide. Some float, others roll. It's maybe a little indie-ish and overall strangely familiar.
Bouncy bass lines, infectious guitar riffing, smooth as silk harmonies, amazing falsettos, varying moods and styles (and even some horns) - all infused with delicious musicianship. They are far more than just a collection of hackneyed Zeppelin and Stones doppelgangers.
As one reviewer put it: “They sound like you should know them. They are as comforting as warm water on your fingertips and as fulfilling as that cookie fresh out of the oven ... and one or three bottles of beer.”
It’s actually difficult to classify Treason music as sounding like “this group” or having the same feel as “that group.” Indeed, they have a lot of different “feels.”
It’s probably easier to say what they aren’t
No opera here (not that there’s anything wrong with opera).
No hip hop here (not that there’s anything wrong with hip hop).
No Icelandic polka (there may be something wrong with Icelandic polka).
This dynamic duo writes, records and produces it all themselves. To repeat: They are all about hooks, melody, harmonies and musicianship.
“Who we sound like really depends on the song,” Andy explains.
“Eclectic, overall…but each song is very distinct and definite,” says Bobby.
A long road of music, in various forms of incarnation, led them to the end game that is ELM TREASON.
Now, about the musicians: Bob's previous bands included "Ambience" (playing under age in Staten Island clubs with bands almost twice their age). His second and Third bands were "Steel" and "Black Teacup Yorkie". One was a heavy metal band, the other was an acoustic based East Village coffee house group (with the same members). Steel's self-titled EP received a four star review in The Aquarian. His Fourth Band was called "Isko Suno" (a multicultural blend of rock, hip hop and trip hop). A review in the Village Voice called their music "Ethnic Groove".
As a pianist for the Brooklyn College Jazz Big Band and Small Ensemble, Bob performed at Amherst Unitarian Church in Amherst MA; at the Abrons Arts Center in Manhattan; and at the University of Connecticut in Storrs CT, for which he received a write up in a Hartford Newspaper.
Bob's credentials include: BA Music: College of Staten Island 1992; MA Music Education : Brooklyn College; Recipient of 2011 Kadish-Millet Award for Excellence in Songwriting.
Andy has played music over the years in a few groups/projects that never amounted to much, save for some critical experience and a bucket full of memories. His partnership with his buddy, Gil, in Washington was short-lived, albeit a load of fun. His collaboration with keyboardist Matt Werning was equally short, but inspirational. Perhaps the best collaboration was with his long-time friend, Rich, in a little project called Red Ant Picnic featuring such tracks as "Sister Alice," "End Game #3" and "Innocence Then."
Mostly, however, over the course of his musical life, he had been an open-mic night, open guitar-case in the park, subway platform kind of guy.
He has made his living in audio and video production. He was a minor TV celebrity for a time in Fort Wayne, Indiana as part of the "Shane and Andy On The Road" series on Fox. He also created and hosted the wildly popular Major League Baseball radio program "Diamond Stuff" in Northwest Ohio. He is also a professional voice over actor and has won five Addy Awards for radio commercial writing/production.