PiL live 1983
Lou Bernardi
Born:
New Jersey, USA
PiL:
Bass 1983-early 84
Bio:
Originally drafted in to replace Pete Jones for the summer 1983 Japanese
tour, Bernardi played
with PiL on all their 1983 European and Japanese dates. He was also the
only musician of the 1983 live band who was used on 1984's 'This
Is What You Want...' album.
Prior to PiL, Bernardi had reportedly played in (the almost mythical) Westside Frankie and the Englewood Jerks; an unknown New Jersey bar band. Bernardi was recruited by Martin Atkins and engineer/producer Bob Miller (who had recommended him). He had also previously played with guitarist Joe Guida and keyboard player Tom Zvoncheck; who were later recruited via auditions.
Although he was the first member hired of what is now often called the "Cabaret Band", Bernardi was actually hired in April 1983 while Keith Levene was still in the band, and would have played bass on the proposed Japanese tour together with Lydon, Levene and Atkins.
Post PiL, Bernardi returned to the USA – and together with guitarist Joe Guida and producer Bob Miller – worked on a project tentatively called Jo Public; which although attracting interest from label's eventually petered out when a suitable lead singer could not be found.
Bernardi then seems to have returned to playing in a variety of low-key local bands. Like many professional musicians he now supplements his income by playing in covers and wedding bands; such as Fortune Orchestra.
External Links:
Fortune Orchestra - Official website
Joe Guida
Born:
Newark, New Jersey, USA
PiL:
Guitar live 1983
Bio:
A member of the much maligned, so-called, 1983 "Cabaret Band",
Guida never recorded with PiL outside the 'Live in Tokyo' album.
However, he played live with the band throughout all their 1983 European
and Japanese dates.
Prior to PiL, Guida had worked as a fledgling session musician, and played in several local bands. An associate of bass player Lou Bernardi – who he had previously played with in the New Jersey bar scene – Guida was hired for the 1983 Japanese tour through auditions by PiL and engineer/producer Bob Miller.
Having been told he wasn't fitting in, Guida was actually dropped after the Japanese tour. Only to be re-hired when a suitable replacement could not be found. Robert Poss was drafted in but never used. Speaking of the decision to fire then re-hire him, Guida later told Fodderstompf: "The way I see it, PiL auditioned half of New York and hired me, then auditioned the other half and re-hired me. Why on earth would my pride be hurt?"
Post PiL, Guida returned to the USA – and together with bassist Lou Bernardi and producer Bob Miller – worked on a project tentatively called Jo Public; which although attracting interest from label's eventually petered out when a suitable lead singer could not be found.
Guida by his own account then "went under the radar". Returning to session work, teaching, and playing in a variety of cover and original bands. He is now a successful session guitarist and has recorded with Grammy Award winning producers. He is currently recording his own instrumental album; as well as working with collaborative team Bo-Ty productions; and former PiL producer Bob Miller.
Fodderstompf Links:
Arthur Stead
Born:
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
PiL:
Keyboards October-December 1983
Bio:
Keyboard
player brought into the much maligned,
so-called, 1983 "Cabaret Band" for
the European leg of the tour (replacing Tom Zvoncheck who left after
Japan). Stead only played live with PiL; and does not appear on
the 'Live in Tokyo' album.
Growing up in South Africa Stead played in bands such as Blind Jefferson, Scandal and The Godspell Band. He then moved to the USA in 1978 to study at Beklee College of Music, Boston; where he later became a lecturer. In 1979 he joined Peter Frampton's band and toured the US for a few years. Just prior to PiL he worked with the newly formed Mama's and Papa's.
Post PiL, Stead played with Ace Frehley's Comets (1984-85), Foreigner (1991) and other diverse acts. 1997 saw him work with country singer Shania Twain on her 'Come On Over' album. He is also credited with "pre-production arrangement" on her 2002 album 'Up'.
Tom Zvoncheck
Born:
Baldwin, New Jersey, USA
PiL:
Keyboards June-July 1983
Bio:
A member of the much maligned, so-called, 1983 "Cabaret
Band", Zvoncheck never recorded with PiL outside the 'Live
in Tokyo' album; and left after the summer Japanese tour.
An associate of bass player Lou Bernardi – who he had previously played with in the New Jersey bar scene – Zvoncheck was hired for the 1983 Japanese tour through auditions by PiL and engineer/producer Bob Miller.
Zvoncheck left PiL straight after the Japanese tour – to record with drummer Albert Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult), and play live with Flo and Eddie (the 60s group The Turtles) – amid claims by PiL he had been sacked on account of "not being good enough"! Zvoncheck later told Fodderstompf PiL was probably the "stupidest band" he ever played with…
Prior to PiL, Zvoncheck was an established studio musician; playing with likes of Clarence Clemmons and Red Bank Rockers, Kasim Sulton, and Musique. Post PiL, he worked with Aldo Nova (1984), Dream Syndicate (1985), Blue Oyster Cult (1985-88), Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith and Steven Tyler.
Zvoncheck released an instrumental prog-rock solo album in 2000 entitled 'ZKG' and continues to play live. He also runs his own ZKG Recording and Mastering Studios in Florida.
Fodderstompf Links:
External Links:
Tom Zvoncheck: ZKG - Official website
MySpace - www.myspace.com/tommyzvoncheck
Louis Bernardi, live with PiL 1983 © unknown
Joe Guida, live with PiL, Bochum, Germany October 31st, 1983 © courtesy Rockpalast
Arthur Stead, live with PiL 1983 © unknown
Tom Zvoncheck; circa 1983/84 © courtesy www.zkgmusic.com