The Love Rocketz is a power pop/rock recording group from the Baltimore, Maryland area. All of the songs are written by the songwriting team of Joe Bontz and Ray Hentz. Both songwriter/musicians have been involved in the Baltimore music scene for many years, sometimes together as a duo and other times in full fledged rock bands. Performing on the album are Joe and Ray, Tommy Gunn (drums), and Wayne Schuster (keyboards). The idea for the CD began about a year ago as a "just for fun" project. But, as time went on and we started to play our songs for friends, co-workers and other musicians, we knew we had something bigger than both of us. Everyone has told us that we have to "get our songs to someone", that they were "better than anything they've been hearing on the radio lately".
As Ray puts it:"Joe and I go way back. We both grew up in the same neighborhood in suburban Baltimore. We first met in Cub Scouts. Both of our mothers were Den mothers. In fact we were born on the same day, same year. After high school and college we started to perform together in acoustic duos and trios. But, it was never satisfying enough to play other peoples songs so we started to write and perform our own music. We lost touch for some years, went in different directions as we both played in other bands and "life got in the way". Somehow, we got back together about a year ago and started writing and recording again. At first we had no expectations or goals; it was just fun to be back together. But as the process evolved we found that we still had the old magic. We still wrote songs that where lyrically and melodically catchy and memorable; the kind of music that we love to listen to. And, the songs were still filled with angst, just a little more mature angst". Most of the songs on the CD were written by Joe Bontz, who is definitely the most prolific writer in the group. Some of the songs were written as a collaboration between Ray and Joe both lyrically and musically. However, the real collaboration comes in arrangement and production. Both musician/songwriters have great ideas about "how the song should sound". The CD itself was recorded in Joe's basement studio. Post production took place at The Bratt Studio, in Woodlawn, Maryland. And that's where the fifth man, Bill Pratt, worked his magic. His production advice, musical expertise, and digital wizardry helped to bring the project home. Special thanks to Bill for all his help and support, "we couldn't have done it without you". Pay special attention to the "man behind the curtain".
Special thanks to Ted Pratt for the album artwork and design.
The songs on the CD have been described by others as:"...the style is Pop/Rock to a Power Pop Genre""guitar driven pop rock that's accessible, energetic, melodic and clever! "though angst infused, the music remains melodic and is performed really well""straight-forward classic rock n roll with a little southern influence" "original project combining the best of old and new rock sounds"Influences that others hear in the music are:Bruce Springsteen, Nick Lowe, Bon Jovi, Elvis Costello, Don Henley , Eagles, FaceDancer, Hooters, Doobie Brothers, Cars, Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, John Kay, Andy Partridge (XTC), Roy Orbison, Bob SeegarHere are some other comments:---------------"...guitar driven pop rock that's accessible, energetic, melodic and clever! I was trying to get across this idea that, while angst infused, the music remains melodic and is performed really well. I think the CDbaby idea is great. All the best!" - Tommy Gunn (love rocketz "skinster")"Patte, Kendall and I all put the style in Pop/Rock to a Power Pop Genre. Good luck and remember your old friends when you hit the big time. We all enjoyed it...Kendall thought we were listening to the radio...ESP perhaps! I hear a little Bruce, John Kay, Don Henley..even Andy Partridge (XTC)."- Keith Zumbrun"Style-wise I'd say you are pretty much straight-forward classic rock n roll with a little
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