GRAFT
We are an innovative rock band based in Astoria, playing a variety of originals and covers. Our influences range from Elvis to Elvin Bishop to Frank Zappa.
Dan Casper (vocals) has sung in several different rock and blues based bands since the age of 18. A fan of the theater, he has participated in several plays and musicals since his high school days. He has also studied acoustic guitar and piano. Dan has also recently taken Improv classes and performed in shows at the Magnet Theater in Manhattan. His vocal influences include Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder, U2's Bono, and the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson.
Francesco D’Ambrosio (guitar) is a native of Italy, but probably should have been born in the Mississippi Delta on account of his love for the blues and American roots music. Francesco began studying classical guitar at age eight, but by age twelve had changed to electric. His teachers included Davide Civaschi of the Italian group ELST. For ten years he played with a blues band in Milan. Francesco has also studied piano.
Robert Fischbach (drums) began playing at the age of 14, starting with group lessons at Frank's Music in New Rochelle, NY. At Mamaroneck High School he played percussion in the orchestra, concert and marching bands. He played in various rock bands throughout high school and college, including the Hunter College Jazz Ensemble. Robert has had experience playing percussion with an acoustic jug band, and he played snare drum with the New York State Court Officers bagpipe band. He has many influences including John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Rich. He has collaborated with Tony Rohling on various musical ventures during the past 23 years.
Tony Rohling (bass guitar, songwriter) has played since 1973 in a wide variety of bands performing material ranging from rock to R and B, country, reggae, and blues. Along with Robert Fischbach and Gary Rosa he was a co-founder of The Rohling Band, an innovative blues group which performed in many venues throughout the New York City area. His major bass influences include Motown's James Jamerson and Stax Records' Donald "Duck" Dunn, and his songs, which are usually satirical, have been inspired by the likes of Lou Reed and Warren Zevon. Tony has also studied cello and bluegrass banjo. He is currently writing a novel about Brooklyn in the 1970s.
Gary “Bad Luck Man” Rosa (guitar, vocals, songwriter) is a self-taught guitarist whose influences are Mike Bloomfield, Johnny Winter and the 3 Kings - Albert, B.B. and Freddy. During the 80's he was in several rock bands that played in clubs throughout Queens and Long Island. From 1990 through the early 2000's he was in a variety of groups until he had the opportunity to join The Rohling Band in 2009. Gary wrote three of the original songs the band performed: “Another Day Gone By,” “Bad Luck Man” and “Musk Eater.” In Feb 2012 The Rohling Band opened the show for The Last of The Red Hot Mamas’ surviving member, Sweet Georgia Brown, and
Band
Rock
