The Freelance Vandals

A History of Rock and Roll on Long Island

The Freelance Vandals (whose "Last Call For Alcohol" (Dog 200, 1982) graced jukeboxes nationwide.

Nowadays, lead singer-guitarist-bon ton roule, Jean-Pierre Gelinas may be found at his superb cajun restaurant, Big Daddy's in Massapequa Park. J.P. used to own and operate The Bayou which Rolling Stone Magazine once called the hippest bar and jukebox on Long Island.)

LATE WORD:This letter came in on September 28, 1996: "...The Freelance Vandals are back together. It's the early 80's arrangement featuring John Gelinas, Ray Finch, Billy Cairns, Michael Adams and Alan Lapidus. Our mailing list has been reestablished and is going strong. Please email your email address to bvandal@mail.idt.net and get up to date."

This came in the next day: "After years of seeing The Freelance Vandals at The Right Track Inn in Freeport, I have recently experienced them again at Big Daddy's in Massapequa. My friends and I had a blast, had great food and we were all put in a great mood by this amazing band. These guys are best when seen live although I cannot wait for them to release some more material. I really believe these guys deserve a place in rock-n-roll history."

The next day another rave came in. It's great news that this band is back performing together. Our advice is...GET VANDALIZED!!!

EVEN LATER WORD!!!This came in on November 11, 1996 from Bill Cairns:

"Our first CD, "SONGS THAT NEVER MADE US FAMOUS" is being mastered for CD by John and Ray today (Tuesday, November 12th, 1996) It's a incredible collection of songs . . .most of which you know . . . that were recorded by the Freelance Vandals between 1975 and 1980. Old? You Bet!!! These are the original demos the band attempted to shop around during that period. In the early days, the band created songs on a four-track recorder just as fast as they were written. A few of them are a little rough around the edges, but most of them sound damn good. This CD project is not intended to receive any media attention or airplay . . . this is a period piece chock full of original versions and rarities for you, the Vandal historians and fans who have followed the band for years.

The album opens with a song probably none of you know . . . "Jenny" . . . a Ray Finch/John Gelinas composition that was recorded back in 1975 in Silver Springs, Maryland by a band called Mama's Boys (Jack Finch, Ray Finch, Chuck Ciany, Gary Ciany, John Gelinas). According to John, The Freelance Vandals performed this song live only once at CBGB's in New York sometime around 1977. This song is included in this collection because the band Mama's Boys marked the beginning of the Freelance Vandal sound.

Another personal favorite, "I Feel It Now", was recorded between a series of gigs the Freelance Vandals played at Flanagan's Pub in Dayton Ohio back in 1976. It seems Garry and I were out a little too late the night before and missed the session so Ray filled in on bass and John filled in on drums! A few of the drum parts I still play today were lifted from Johns performance here...brilliant!!!!

Other songs on the CD include studio versions of Shirley, Juliette, Lighting Rod, Boy On Fire, Dagger Man, Cocaine & Promises, Roll That Rock, Chariot, and several others that were rarely to never performed live.

I don't have a release date for you at this time . . . that all depends on the reliability of the pressing plant. You can bet we'll be planning a few special events to surround its release. Naturally I will let you know as soon as I do.

Well that's it for now . . . Be patient . . . we'll be back really soon!!!! As always, please write to me with any suggestions or lewd comments . . . or just to say hi!

THE CD IS OUT!! "SONGS THAT NEVER MADE US FAMOUS"
contact FV97 Productions

Click Here for The Freelance Vandals discography

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