Tony Mecca

Tony Mecca writes and performs songs about people and personalities. Real people that is, and genuine life experiences like love, longing, growing-up, working and watching life play itself out. But tedious and plodding reflection is not his forte, and rock ‘n’ roll sensibilities are injected at every opportunity to keep the proceedings vibrant, passionate and really fun. His music has been called Pop Rock, Singer-Songwriter Rock, Adult Rock and Americana among others. He calls it “Urban American Heavy MeNtal” or “Americana from a city boy”. In reviews his songs and sound has been compared to Springsteen, Petty, Mellencamp, Elvis Costello, Smash Mouth and Leonard Cohen. He’s been described as “The bastard son of Huey Lewis and Joni Mitchell” and “The Who fronted by John Prine.”
Bio
A troubadour that rocks - really! Philadelphia singer/songwriter Tony Mecca serves wisdom from deep in the inner city via a delicious storytelling based blueprint that inventively merges elements of Pop, Roots, Americana, Folk and plain old Rock 'n Roll. In the grand tradition of elite wordsmiths like Dylan, John Prine and Ray Davies (The Kinks), Mecca fuses equal amounts of humor and sympathy to thoughtfully examine everyday people dealing with ordinary and surreal life circumstances. However, his musically eclectic approach, robust delivery and a gritty Philly twist produce results that are quite different from that of his esteemed forerunners.
Meet “Annie Helicopter", "Plain Jane & Average Joe", "Billy the Bully" and a host of other characters and friends from Mecca's sumptuously eccentric neighborhood that laugh, cry, love and cavort on the mean streets and avenues of his beautiful Urban American landscape. As anyone more than a little familiar with Tony Mecca’s music will tell you, his infectious raspy voice and hook laden melodies may initially confiscate most of your attention, but it is his sage commentary on the beauty and failings of the "human drill" that will eventually permeate your head, heart and soul.
That's my Tony Mecca Bio/Article, your thoughts?
I’m flattered and a little embarrassed.
What can you tell us about yourself?
I was born and still live in Philadelphia. I’m 53 years old, married and have five kids and six dogs (currently). I own the Opera House/Ozone recording studio. I miss Frank Zappa terribly.
You’re a pretty old dude.
No shit!
What style of music do you play?
Urban American Heavy MeNtal
What’s that?
Storytelling Rock Music slightly altered by elements of Root, Pop and Folk – My music has also been called “Singer/Songwriter Rock”, “Adult Rock" and several other sub-genres of "Rock"
Who do people say you sound like?
In reviews I’ve gotten Springsteen, Petty, John Prine, Mellencamp, Billy Joel, and Leonard Cohen among others. In a recent email poll through our website, our friends said we sounded like:
- The bastard son of Huey Lewis and Joni Mitchell
- The Who fronted by John Prine
- Random Old School
Where have you been and where are you going?
I’ve recorded three CD’s - Purple Monkeys (2003) / Princes of the New Dark Age (2005) / Hello, Goodbye & Everything in Between (2007) - and I’m back out playing the bars – Over the past year I’ve signed eight of my songs with various publishing companies throughout the country. While I’m not disappointed with my status as a "local artist", I do live in hope that my songs will someday reach a larger audience through higher profile recording artists. They tell me we’re getting close!

Finally, a bit about your musical past...
After playing along side the likes of Cinderella, Britney Fox, The A’s, Robert Hazzard/Heroes, The Hooters and a host of many other wonderful bands on the fertile 1980’s Philadelphia/South Jersey rock scene with his bands HABITS and MECCA, Tony had devoted all of the 1990’s to operating his rehearsal studio - THE OPERA HOUSE - while organizing its eventual resurrection as one of Philadelphia's premier recording facilities. He would go on to become an instrumental force on the Philly music scene as a manager, arranger and producer for several popular area bands including WARNER BROTHERS recording artists TIDEWATER GRAIN before returning to his first love, songwriting (Tony has recently produced the 2008 EP "Word On The Street" for Philly's wonderfully heavy DRIVE 56)...
…and your opinion?
Very accurate – you are well informed.
Thank you!
What did you say your name was?
_________________________
HELLO, GOODBYE & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
(Released March 2007 - Available through CD BABY)
Purple Monkeys /
Princes of the New Dark Age
(Our first two CD's are available as a 2 CD set at a special discounted price through our site by clicking on the CD's)