Rock fans that love musicians with great chops are listening to Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ new live box, “Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock).” The collection on two CDs and DVD/Blu-rays show this treasured electric violinist/singer-songwriter’s history of favorites in the past decade and a half in the rock scene.
“Game of Chicken” is a race to self-destruction, but escaping at the last minute. With a little country/bluegrass influence, “Climbing” is Joe’s dedication to anyone in the arena, paying their dues and going after their dreams.
“(Live at ProgStock)” features eclectic covers. King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame” is a wild version of a Crimson classic! King Crimson is a huge influence for Joe, “My voice is the same range as Adrian Belew’s, and ‘Frame by Frame’ always beckoned me to cover it. It’s fun to play Robert Fripp’s fast ostinato guitar part on violin.”
The band takes a Queen-esque approach to muse’s “Hysteria.” A spontaneous, unrehearsed cover of Chick Corea’s “Spain” with blind piano and flute virtuoso Rachel Flowers and Testament’s guitarist Alex Skolnick is a highlight of the album.
Alex and Joe co-wrote “Heavy Shtettle.” Alex’s history with Stratospheerius dates back to the early 2000s, when Alex briefly toured and recorded with the band.
All of Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ albums feature topical songs for speaking up against corrupt and hypocritical leaders, “Behind The Curtain,” “The Prism,” “Take Your Medicine,” “One Foot in the Next World.”
“Behind the Curtain (Live at ProgStock)” is three years in the making; the collection is made up of live performances at the ultimate Northeast progressive rock festival, ProgStock in 2019 and 2021. Writes festival attendee John Giordano in the new issue of UK’s “The Progressive Aspect, “The performance is so alive, I can almost feel the discomfort of the old theatre seat on my bum. Wow!”
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ previous studio album, “Guilty of Innocence” reached #4 on the Jamband/Relix charts in North America, and broke the European Top 200 Indy releases at 72. The group, which has 5 albums out, are signed to Melodic Revolution Records.
Joe (who plays in orchestras for the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50Cent, and as the concertmaster for Renaissance) and his bandmembers: (Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neal Morse Band), Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Riot Act), have streamed over 3 million times on Spotify and other streaming services.
released May 19, 2023
Stratospheerius is:
Joe Deninzon-lead vocals, electric 7-string ”Viper” violin
Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar, vocals
Paul Ranieri-bass, vocals
Jason Gianni-drums, vocals
Special guests:
Rachel Flowers-piano, flute
Alex Skolnick-guitar
Filmed on October 13th, 2019 and October 2nd, 2021 at ProgStock Festival
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway, NJ
www.progstock.com
All songs, music & lyrics by Joe Deninzon
© 2022 Fiddlefunk Music. All rights reserved.
“Storm Surge” by Joe Deninzon, Jason Gianni, and Michael Sadler. Based on themes from “L’orage (The Storm)” by Frederic Burgmüller
© 2020 Fiddlefunk Music, JSGDRUM Music, Michael Sadler Inc.
“Climbing” by Joe Deninzon and Mack Price
@2008 Fiddlefunk Music. All rights reserved.
“The Missing Link” by Joe Deninzon & Mazz Swift
@2008 Fiddlefunk Music. All rights reserved.
“Heavy Shtettle” by Joe Deninzon & Alex Skolnick
@2004 Fiddlefunk Music. All rights reserved.
“Spain” by Chick Corea and Joaquin Rodrigo
Copyright ©1973, 1982 Universal Music Corp. Copyright Renewed.
“Hysteria” by Matthew Belamy, Chris Woldtenholme, Dominic Howar.
©2003. Published by WC Music Corp OBO Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.
“Frame by Frame” by Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, and William Scott Bruford. ©1981. Published by Universal Music-Careers Obo E.G. Music Ltd.
“Chasing the Dragon” (end credits) by Joe Deninzon & Jason Gianni
©2022 Fiddlefunk Music, JSGDrum Music. All rights reserved.
Guest musician: Bill Hubauer-keyboards
Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser
Live audio mixed by Matt Vanacoro
CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray Surround Sound Mastering by Dave Kerzner
DVD and Blu-ray authored by Joel Barrios
Backdrop videos edited by Joe Deninzon & David P. Levin
www.brainstorm-inc.com
Live video edited by Joe Deninzon with assistance from David P. Levin
Filmed by Matt Urban
Backdrop video projection (2019): David P. Levin
Backdrop video projection (2021): Brando Jenkins
Sound engineer: Joel Simches
Stage monitor engineer: Robert Frazza
Livestream filmed by Erik Nielsen
Photographers: Joel Barrios (2019), Eric Pseja (2019), Brian Tirpak (2019), Erik Nielsen (2021)
ProgStock Festival Organizers:
• Tom Palmieri
• Ann Rinaldi