Our Crew
These are the cogs that keep our machine moving! The Russo Crew comes from every walk of life but each has the love of gear that makes this place tick. Come on down to see us in person or feel free to give us a call at 800.847.8776 .
Scott Engel
Asbury Park Store Manager / Head Guitar Tech
Scottengel@russomusic.com
Specialty: Electric and acoustic guitars, both sales and service. Heavy focus on guitar construction concepts and structural repairs
Bio: Over 15 Years playing and touring in regional and national punk bands. Now touring 3 repair benches daily.
Jeff Lacour
Hamilton Store Manager
Jefflacour@russomusic.com
Specialty: Guitar/Drums/Pro Audio
Bio: Spent my teens and twenties as a guitar player and drummer in local acts. I’ve recently spent time mixing live sound and recording for artists, performers, friends and family.
Wills Weller
Asbury Park Sales / Drum Repair
Wweller@gmail.com
Specialty: Drums, Guitar/Bass, Pro Audio, Dusting Cymbals, Taking out cardboard.
Bio: Currently playing drums in a band called Toothgrinder. We are signed to SpineFarm/ Universal Records. We have toured the US and Canada multiple times with bands such as Killswitch Engage, Periphery, After The Burial, The Contortionist, and many more. I have drum endorsements with Tama, Vic Firth, Sabian, Aquarian.
Howie Cohen
Asbury Park Sales
hcohen@russomusic.com
Specialty: Electric and acoustic guitars sales, Gibson Acoustic Five Star Specialist, Taylor Guitars University trained, effects pedals, choosing the saddest radio station to listen to in the shop
Bio: Musical History: Weekend warrior touring in punk/post-rock bands for 10+ years, Bachelor's Degree in Music Industry from the State University of New York at Oneonta, getting "into" that inspirational 90's band too late
Mike Burt
Asbury Park Sales/ Mr. Fix it
MBurt@russomusic.com
Specialty: Endless dumb facts about guitar, bass, and drum. Expert Googler.
Bio: Musical History: 15+ years in bands you've never heard of, touring up and down New Jersey and sometimes Pennsylvania.
Matt Caponegro
Asbury Park Sales
mcaponegro@gmail.com
Specialty: Electric & Acoustic Guitars. Bass Guitar. Effect Pedals. Guitar & Bass Amplifiers.
Bio: Musical History: 10 years experience playing and touring D.I.Y Venues & Art Galleries
Michael Nicosia
Asbury Park Sales, Pedalboard Design/Wiring, Enabler.
mnicosia@russomusic.com
Specialty: Pedals, Tube Amps, Pedals, Fender, Pedals, Gibson, & Pedals.
Bio: 17 years of playing shows in New Brunswick (and other less glamorous basements in the US). Instrumental, hardcore/post hardcore, post rock, post punk, post whatever. Multiple current projects including a drone/noise/sound design trio and a loud(ish), shoegaze(ish) rock band. Pedal hoarding and collecting since 1998. Vintage amp & delay enthusiast.
Jim Graziano
Hamilton Sales
jim.g@russomusic.com
Specialty: Bass/Guitar/Drums/Band Instruments/Pro Audio
Bio: Jim started playing music before you were born. A precocious toddler, he changed the western world's musical landscape at the young age of 3 by inventing the quarter-note rest. He went on to study music at a fancy, expensive university, and has spent his time since then paying off his student loans, maintaining his instagram feed, and playing bass guitar in bands that have toured both stateside and internationally. When he's not helping customers find their perfect musical fit, Jim still performs and tours with Honah Lee and Groovy Movies.
Eric Collier
Guitar Tech
ecollier@russomusic.com
Specialty: 20 years experience in all aspects of guitar repair and building. Owner of Luther Lee Pickups. Custom made vintage style pickup building, repair an restoration.
Bio: Toured US and Canada with various regional and national acts as a bass player and singer. Currently preforming with the band "Fast Clare" as well as recording music for media licensing with "The B. Christopher Band". I spend my free time being a Dad, playing with my kids and I have chickens as pets.
Sean Glonek
Hamilton Sales
sglonek@russomusic.com
Specialty: Grilling with charcoal, recording, pro audio, hoppy beer, and spicy food.
Bio: Guitar player for The Commons for 10 years. Recording, mixing, mastering, and producing for SRG studios since 2002.
Zach Miller
Hamilton Sales
zmiller@russomusic.com
Specialty: Drums / Guitar
Bio: Playing in local and touring bands since 2004. He's also "very much into Heavy Rock".