Meet Bill Bonacci of the Sound Shore’s ‘Grateful Dead’

 On a quiet Wednesday night in Port Chester dozens of Deadheads milled around the front of Garcia’s bar and music venue anxious for the show to start. It was not during the nine-night Furthur run that brought thousands of hippies from across the country to The Capitol Theatre.

On this Wednesday night, the fans were there to see the Stella Blues Band, a group of seven local men who are dedicated to recreating the experience of being at a Grateful Dead show.

Each musician became “hooked” on Dead music as teenagers, most from going to their first live show. Decades later and they are grateful for the opportunity to be creating live shows of their own at Westchester and Connecticut area venues.

 By day the band members are working in finance, on CNBC or in music therapy, but on show nights, the collective group is dedicated to the poetic lyrics, the chance to improve, the thrill of performing live and the passionate fan base. 

The group was founded in 2009 with five original members and has grown into seven today.

The band consists of Bill Bonacci, a New Rochelle resident who sings and plays lead guitar; Steve Liesman, a Pelham resident who sings and plays rhythm guitar; Greg Solomon, a Greenwich resident who plays bass; Ken Aigen, a Hastings resident who plays keyboards; Marc Loponte, a Rye resident who sings; Chuck Black, a Rye resident on the drums and JP Geoghegan, also on the drums.

During their recent residency at Garcia’s the group attracted hundreds of music lovers and true Deadheads who knew the lyrics as well as the band. They have about a 100-song repertoire and strive to avoid repeat songs. During their last night at Garcia’s the fans picked the songs.

Patch stopped in early on their final night at Garcia’s to ask the band members a few questions about their time at the venue, what attracted them to Grateful Dead music; and how they balance family, work and shows. We also made them each pick their favorite Dead song.

This is the second in a series of Q&As with each band member. 

Name: Bill Bonacci

Age: 50

Instrument: Lead guitar, vocals

Occupation: City of New Rochelle Department of Public Works, Sanitation Bureau Assistant Supervisor

Town: New Rochelle

How has your residency been at Garcia’s?

It’s been awesome at the venue. It is kind of a Mecca for what we are looking to nurture and grow with the band. We’ve been having a lot of fun, seeing a lot of new faces. 

How did you get into the Grateful Dead?

In high school I had a friend who gave me the Greatest Hits eight-track tape and the song that got me hooked was ‘Turn On Your Love Light.

That vibe just grabbed me, the way it chugged along. (Bill snapped his fingers and hummed the base line while he talked about it.)

Since then, I have seen the Dead more than 100 times, which is not even that many times.

What do you like about Dead music?

I like how it is like jazz in a rock idiom.

 What does your family think of the band?

My family is very supportive and has attended many of our shows.  They often, when first seeing us, are amazed at how good we sound and if not familiar with The Grateful Dead, leave with an appreciation for a band they may not have been very familiar with.  I've heard ‘I guess I like The Grateful Dead’ a few times!  They see how much joy I get from this endeavor and are happy to share this 'nook' of my life with me. 

What is your favorite song to play?

Very difficult question as there are SO many - often it depends on how I feel in a given moment but If I have to pick one I'd say Scarlet Begonias.  As the lead guitarist this song gives me the opportunity to 'stretch out' in both the verse lead portion and the more free form jam that often leads to the song Fire On The Mountain.  The verse lead portion allows for some joyous lines intertwined with arpeggiated phrasing within a specific, bouncy chord progression and the end jam portion allows for creativity to flow in a less structured fashion where ideas amongst band members often point or hint toward interesting musical possibilities as we play off of one another. 

How do you balance work, personal life with the band?

With great care!  Work and music seldom cross paths except to the extent that a late weeknight of playing can make getting up for work a bit more of a chore!  We generally play twice a month with 1 or 2 rehearsals and then there are issues with band communications and personal rehearsal time.  So it's just a matter of scheduling and being sensitive to familial needs.  At times there are more than a few 'balls in the air'!

Stella Blue’s Band upcoming shows:

Saturday, June 29, Stella Blue’s Bar, New Haven, Ct., 9 p.m., $5

Saturday, July 20, Uncle Henry’s, Harrison, NY, 9 p.m. $5

Friday, August 2, Monster B’s, Stamford, Ct., 9 p.m., $5

Thursday, Sept. 12, Sullivan Hall, NY,NY, 9 p.m., $10 in advance, $12 at the door

Check them out at Facebook.com/stellabluesband and stellabluesband.net