A.J. Caruso

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Hear my guest appearance on 3 songs on the Motley Crue Tribute release "Too Fast For Love: A Millennium Tribute To Motley Crue" on VERSAILLES RECORDS , on sale June 19, 2007. It also features STRAITJACKETSMILE bandmates RICHARD KENDRICK and ROSS STEPHENS
GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! CLICK HERE
...OR HERE
Read the official news release by the band at MOTLEY CRUE NEWS

Having discovered my dad's electric guitar in his closet at age 14, along with the revelation of the music of Ozzy, Def Leppard and Motley Crue, I set forth on what would become the journey of my life for the next umteen years. Born and raised in New Orleans, LA and having joined my first band very early on (as soon as I could learn a complete song), I knew very quickly that I was far more interested in playing with a group and writing songs versus becoming the next great guitar GOD! My music career really began, save a few bands in high school, with a Rock cover band called CENTERFOLD. We progressed over 2+ years into a number of original tunes, but overall got extensive experience traveling and performing throughout 10 states in the Southeast region. This taught me a great deal about life "on the road". CENTERFOLD disbanded and I then formed an all original act named PARK AVENUE.
This was extremely exciting in that this band was going to venture down the path of all original music, which was basically unheard of in the New Orleans (rock) music scene. This progressed to the booking of our first tour as an opening act, but our singer quit in the final hour, and we broke up.
The next phase was a move to Austin, TX to join forces with the ex-singer of New Orleans famed LILLIAN AXE . This was another all original band called APACHEE BLACK, which had a really cool blues based rock sound. This lasted for about a year, then crumbled. Upon my return to New Orleans, I decided to turn my focus to purely song writing. Over the years, I had learned to play bass, keyboards and (barely) sing a bit, which was all I really needed to record original tunes. I was then asked by friend RICHARD KENDRICK from a previous band (STRAITJACKET SMILE...which had a bad accident on the way to our first gig hence the band never got off the ground), to join his latest project. I went to see their live show and was thrilled with the talent in the band...I accepted.
As a group, we decided to begin with a fresh start since we were breaking in a new member, so we dusted off some of my recent recordings and inserted them into the set and resurrected our old name, which we never really used and STRAITJACKET SMILE was born again. Having kept the equipment trailer out of the swamp this time ;), SJS had grown into the most popular rock band in town. We later recruited long time friend, drummer SERGIO YETTA and the band became more powerful than ever. We toured quite a bit, and became the opening act for just about every major artist that came through town. Including CHEAP TRICK , FOREIGNER, KANSAS & REO SPEEDWAGON to name a few. The talent in the band was phenomenal. This was it! Then just as we were pitching our project at the SXSW music conference in Austin, TX, another singer bit the dust. We struggled for almost a year but could not find a replacement. Time had taken its toll and after a slight attempt to salvage the project forming a temporary cover band with the remaining members to make ends meet...it was now my turn (Sounds like a damn good VH1 Behind the Music episode if you ask me). I decided to go back to my songwriting ventures, pursuing everything from rock tunes to instrumentals for computer games.
Over the years, I had continued more as a hobby, continuing to write and record of which has led me to building a small recording studio (STRAITJACKET STUDIOS). Now living in Atlanta, GA, I am having fun recording both myself as well as various local artist, including long time bandmate and friend Fran of THE LOVE BUZZARDS with whom I shared the stage almost 20 years earlier.
I am currently working on various recording projects, to include a STRAITJACKET SMILE release for VERSAILLES RECORDS which should be released in early 2008.
I did, do, and always will have a passion for music, great songs and great songwriters. Music moves the world so let's keep the world moving!!!
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