TONY BATASKA profile picture

TONY BATASKA

50stories.blogspot.com

About Me

Hi. I'm singer/songwriter Tony Bataska. I've loved all kinds of music all my life. I started early with a few years of piano lessons. When I moved to California in seventh grade, I got into the altervate/grudge music scene. The first CD I ever owned was Stone Temple Pilots "Purple." In eighth grade my friends were starting a band. They had three guitar players and a drummer. They told me, "If you learn to play bass, you can be in the band." I promptly got a bass and we started jamming. Throughout high school the band had many incarnations and names. I believe it started off as Revolution, then went to Aberration, then to Catch 22, and finally, after we realized there already was a Catch 22, we became Last Exit. By the end of the band I had completed my transistion from bassist to guitarist. We only played a couple shows, but this whole experience kick started my passion for music.
In college, I still played guitar, but I had surgery on both my wrists. This set me back a bit, but as my wrists got better, I started playing and writing songs again. I then set a goal to play at the open mic night at the G Street Pub in Davis. I went there one Tuesday and played 4 songs. From then on I showed up almost every week and got to know the host, Adam Donald. Adam played/plays in notable Sacramento bands Honeyspot and American Karma. His help and advice have been extremely crucial in my musical development.
Going from someone who set out to play an open mic night, I baby-stepped my way to playing regular shows at G Street, Old Ironsides in Sacramento, Fox and Goose in Sac, Luna's in Sac, the Cubby Bear in Chicago, and opening for Matt Costa at Harlow's. I also released my first album, "Tonight I Confess" in early 2006. It is a modest effort, but I am proud of the songs and just the fact that I have a real shrink-wrapped, barcoded album. I am going to continue to write and record music, as well as push myself to be the best entertainer I can be. I hope you enjoy my music, and I thank you for lending me your ear and giving me a chance.
Buy Tony's Debut album Here!
Buy "Tonight I Confess" at CDbaby.com!


You can also pick up "Tonight I Confess" at the iTunes store!


OR:
Born with a guitar in his hand, baby Tony began performing songs for his family and friends at the age of two. After releasing his first original composition "Baby Made a Poopy", the local media began hyping baby Tony as the next big thing in the music industry. Baby Tony's record company was unsure whether America was ready for such talent and the decision was made to send baby Tony overseas. Tickets for a European tour sold out in minutes. Night after night, baby Tony captivated audiences with his flamboyant dance moves and daring lyrics. Immediately following his final performance in London, a press conference was held to announce a full scale world tour. By the time baby Tony was seven, he was riding a tidal wave of success. His face was all over shirts, hats, and diapers. Baby Tony was happy.
But baby Tony's happiness wouldn't last much longer, as his age finally started to take its toll on his career. After a few years, the general public became increasingly uncomfortable with a ten-year-old boy wearing diapers on stage. Management quickly scrapped baby Tony's guitar-toting infant persona and retooled the entire act. Performing as "Baby T", the record company hoped to attract an urban crowd. But not even "Baby Made a Poopy (The Remix feat. Vanilla Ice)" could save the show. Humbled and depressed, baby Tony left the music industry the day before his thirteenth birthday. He was no longer baby Tony. He was man Tony.
At the age of twenty, while dumpster diving with a fellow homeless man, Tony came across an acoustic guitar. Memories of a brilliant career flashed before his eyes, along with the headlights of an oncoming truck. Tony was in a coma for a full leap year, when he awoke to a familiar sound. A radio in the hospital was playing the title track to his 1985 album "Milk is For Babies (Real Men Drink Beer)". Inspired by his own voice, Tony grabbed a guitar and set out to entertain the world as he once did.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/5/2005
Band Website: tonybataska.com
Band Members: Tony Bataska - vocals, guitars, bass, harmonica and keys.

Bart van der Zeeuw - drums, percussion, vocals
Influences: NOT NICKELBACK! They're awful.
Sounds Like: If the Beatles and Crowded House were able to have a love child, that child was not a mammal, but a fish. That fish survived 10 days in the ocean and then washed up on shore. Someone found the fish and buried it in a forest. Then a tree grew up in that very spot in the ground. We sound like that tree.
Type of Label: None

My Blog

My New Blog Webpage

I have a new blog at: 50stories.blogspot.comI'll do most of my posting over there.  It will be more regular and funnier.  Also, I'm pretty sure there's a way to import my posts to here. ...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:22:00 PST

My Favorite Thing About the Super Bowl

Prop Bets!  There is nothing more fun or ridiculous than prop bets!  I wouldn't even recommend betting on any of them, but they are fun to read.  Here are some fun ones: American Idol w...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:14:00 PST

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

During the Holidays, it's always nice to share good things with people.  Well, here are some great things that I enjoy, and you might as well: For the sports fan: - mlbtraderumors.com - This blog...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:13:00 PST

Let me sing a song with you...

I know I occasionally post negative annoyances here, and here's one more: Sometimes (many times) I've been on stage and an audience member asks if they can: a) use your guitar and play a song or b) si...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:53:00 PST

Stuff and Nonsense

I haven't posted on a blog in quite some time!  But here are some random thoughts: - RIP Joe Kennedy, Casey Calvert, and Sean Taylor.  All guys in their 20's dying for no good reason.  ...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:47:00 PST

The First CD I Ever Owned

I broke out STP "Purple" yesterday and couldn't stop listening to it.  It was the first CD I ever owned.  I can still sing-a-long to the whole album.  It's just a great feeling to go ba...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:19:00 PST

Some Stuff I've Been Listening To...

I was reminded of the song "Wonderful" by Adam Ant this morning.  It brings me back to my middle school years when I taped the song off Live 105 and listened to it a lot.  Ahhh... right when...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Fri, 18 May 2007 02:52:00 PST

New Acoustic Song Up

Hey- I put up a new song on my profile.  Feel free to listen and let me know what you think.  I did it on Sunday at my friend's house.  Three mics, acoustic guitar and me.  One tak...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Wed, 16 May 2007 09:02:00 PST

Laughter

My Great-Aunt passed away this week, and I was initially very sad.  She was truly a great, caring woman who led a very fulfilling life.  Her greatest trait was her sense of humor.  She ...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:52:00 PST

Please Read! This is for a great cause

My friend Stacey is walking to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.  Here is a message from her: Hi everyone! My personal Avon Walk for Breast Cancer website is up and running, and I need your help...
Posted by TONY BATASKA on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 12:02:00 PST