A local band is bringing its self-described “Memphis soul” sound to Hudson County. Enzo and the Bakers, led by new Weehawken resident Anthony Tamburro, have played the local scene for over eight years, and will finally release a live album this June.
Recorded at the historic Loews Theater in Jersey City, the new release features six cover songs, as well as two originals called “I Can Make You See,” and “Sweet Love.”
The latter song was written after a formidable fight with an ex-girlfriend, the musician said.
“I was at a little local dive in Jersey City and had a pretty bad fight,” he said. “The next day, that incident really spurred me on.”
“We actually played our first song together when we were like 16.” – Anthony Tamburro
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“I wrote it over 10 years ago,” Tamburro said. “It has a really hooky chorus. People really dig it when I play it, so you never know.”
With influences like Otis Redding, Tamburro likened the band’s sound to old heart-and-soul bands from the 1960s. And with two guitarists, a pianist, an organist, a bass player and a drummer, Tamburro said that playing the large stage at the Loews Theater was a great experience.
“It was almost weird playing on that kind of stage with all the equipment,” said Tamburro, who has played shows at popular music venues like the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. “We’re usually bumping into each other on stage.”
Although the band plays at the Great Notch Inn in Little Falls every Friday, Tamburro said the band’s primary focus is to release their first full-length album of all original music by the end of the year.
“We want to keep with the sound we have and we already have the songs,” he said.
Enzo and the Bakers new release “Live at Loews” will be released next month.
The band will play at the Robin’s Nest Rhythm and Blues in Linden, N.J. on May 22.
Childhood and day jobs
Tamburro started the band with guitarist Lou Bevere, a childhood friend, when they were 15 years old. “We used to do the whole tennis racket [as a guitar] thing and just played a lot of records. We even took guitar lessons together,” he said.
But the lessons didn’t last long. “We quit after six months,” he said.
The two started writing songs almost immediately after picking up their instruments.
“We actually played our first song together when we were like 16 or something,” he said. “I mean, it was crap. I don’t remember it now.”
Since then, Tamburro has become a chef, working at the Panasonic corporate offices located in Secaucus.
“I was actually working in a deli and decided to go back to school.”
When asked why he decided to play music, Tamburro, who grew up in Bloomfield, N.J. and has also lived in Jersey City, was frank and honest: “To get girls, which is the truth actually. Anyone who says differently is lying.”
For more information on the band and their upcoming shows, check out their website: www.enzoandthebakers.com.
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com