Coney Island Cartel profile picture

Coney Island Cartel

Ride the giant octopus arms!

About Me

Coney Island Cartel is an enigma born of nostalgia and fertilized by creativity! We are an old-time band seeking to breathe new and strange life into ragtime, pipin' hot jass, torch songs and showtunes from the 20s, 30s and 40s. In order to do this we employ unusual instrumentation, sound effects and deliciously hokey interpretive dance!

Dramatis Personae:

Squish

As the tallest member of the ensemble, Squish the sawman and ukulele slinger plays the role of frontman. If any of the rest of the band members get out of line, he places their instruments where they cannot reach them. Squish also possesses an impressive collection of mustache wax and bow-ties and has been known to dabble in the ways of the accordion: clear signs, indeed, that he is preparing to conquer the Earth vaudeville style!

Doctor Something:

Doctor Something received her doctorate degree in Something from the prestigious University of Somewhere. She now practices clarinet. Very infrequently. Sometimes she also sings and plays the six-string acoustamophone. She enjoys grilled cheese sandwiches, putting things on top of other things and long walks through petroleum jelly.

Professor Banjo:

When not playing banjo for purely educational purposes, Professor Banjo creates and plays ingenious percussive contraptions. In addition to this, his brain is a comprehensive encyclopedia of puns and related witticisms which he refuses to keep to himself. He is also single-beardedly spear-heading the revival of the snappy look pioneered by 19th century playwright and fashion-plate, Henrik Ibsen.

Daisy Doolittle:

When torch singer, tap dancer, actress extraordinaire and former 80s pop icon Daisy Doolittle graces the stage, all the men swoon and all the women dance the funky chicken! She does everything the rest of the band doesn't only on a wooden platform and in heels. Hailing from New York City, that big delicious theatrical apple of America's eye, Daisy brings the big-time Coney Island pizzazz to this West Coast band.

B. Bracket:

B. Bracket rules the bottom bracket of the audible sonic spectrum with iron fingertips! His masterful bass playing is the sonic spindle that cranks the musical gears of the smiling bicycle known as Coney Island Cartel, allowing it to ascend the mountain of genius! He has also been known to pose as the Sandman on occasion and, at times, the Sandman has also posed as B. Bracket.


My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/12/2006
Band Website: coneyislandcartel.com
Band Members: Squish : ukelele, vocals, musical saw, whistling, accordion; Doctor Something : clarinet, vocals, guitar; Professor Banjo: DIY percussion, sound effects, comedy jokes; Daisy Doolittle: Dance, Vocals, sound effects, Promotion; B. Bracket: Upright Bass
Influences: Harold Arlen, Frank Zappa, Sneakin' Out, Ann Ronell, Duke Ellington, MGM Musicals, Coffee, The Asylum Street Spankers, Busby Berkley, Spike Jones, The Cheap Suit Serenaders, Irving Berlin, Bicycles, Ginger Rogers, Looney Tunes, Charlie Chaplin, Ella Fitzgerald, The Muppet Show, Doris Day, 3 Leg Torso, Boswell Sisters, Trashcan Joe
Sounds Like: We are a party band! We love unusual instrumentation, sound effects, and like to have fun with tunes. We play jazz, ragtime, swing songs from the 20's through the 50's, instumentals, as well as plenty of vocal harmonies. We play standards, originals, waltzes, torch songs, and show tunes. Music that'll make you want to dress up in your favorite duds and cut a rug!
Type of Label: None