Our Crew
These are the cogs that keep our machine moving! Come on down to see us in person or feel free to give us a call at 800.847.8776
Michael Nicosia
Store Manager @ Asbury Park
mnicosia@russomusic.com
With Russo Music Since:
2015
Product Specialty:
Pedals, Electric/Acoustic Guitars, Vintage/New Tube Amps, Synths
Musical History:
Fell in love with guitar at 13, with pedals shortly thereafter & have been playing in bands since.
First Instrument:
A Fender Foto Flame Telecaster that I still have to this day.
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Custom Shop Jazzmaster, Rosewood Tele, Vintage Hiwatt 100 & 200, & all my pedals.
Fun Fact:
I own 14 speaker cabinets (8 4x12, 1 6x12, 1 4x15, 1 8x10, & 3 1x18)
Special Talent:
I can cook!
Favorite Band(s):
Converge, GY!BE, Hum, Mineral, Mogwai, Pink Floyd, Swervedriver
Favorite TV Show(s):
Past: Mr. Show, Parks and Rec, & Top Gear / Present: Curb Your Enthusiasm & The Grand Tour
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight (for what I feel are obvious reasons).
Current/former bands:
Current: Category Mistakes; Terratazen
Former: Estella, Rectify the Names, Lagamasino/Nicosia/Wyche, Thunder Kids, the Laundry.
Record that Changed Your Life:
Godspeed You! Black Emperor: F# A# Infinity
Favorite Gig:
Estella's Last Show at the Lanes.
Favorite Venue:
331 Somerset St. New Brunswick, NJ
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Das Boot, Requiem for a Dream, & Spanglish
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
No
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
I'm more of a "Larry David" type.
Pre-show ritual:
Making sure all my cables work in my pedalboards.
Favorite Record Label:
Constellation
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Spending time with the people I care most about.
What else should we know?:
I am an English Bulldog enthusiast.
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Eric Collier
Guitar Technician @ Asbury Park
ecollier@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
2
Product Specialty:
All aspects of guitar repair, building, and vintage restoration. custom guitar pickups
Musical History:
been there, rocked that
First Instrument:
Festival short scale bass
Favorite Piece of Gear:
1977 Fender bass , I unscrewed from the wall of a pawn shop in north Carolina
Fun Fact:
chickens are my only pets
Special Talent:
I can name most hair medal songs in 10 seconds or less
First Instrument:
Festival short scale bass
Favorite TV Show(s):
Always Sunny , WWE, Teen Mom 2
Invisibility or Flight?:
invisibility duh
Current/former bands:
Current: B. Christopher Band, Magic Red - Former: Bell Bottom Blues Band, Matt O'Ree Band, Beggars Canyon
Record that Changed Your Life:
Lets Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Favorite Gig:
backing up buddy miles
Favorite Venue:
Flora-Bama
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Waterboy
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
bob #2
Pre-show ritual:
tune up
Favorite Record Label:
Big Bug Records
Preferred non-music related pastime:
being a dad & coaching sports I am terrible at
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Wills Weller
Drum Guy @ Asbury Park
wweller@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
7
Product Specialty:
Drums, Recording, Guitar, Bass
Musical History:
Started drums at 3. Currently in Tooth grinder signed to Spine Farm/ Universal Records
First Instrument:
Drums
Favorite Piece of Gear:
My Signature Vic Firth drums sticks
Fun Fact:
A ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber.
Special Talent:
Napping on the beach
Favorite Band(s):
The Buds Band, Jimi Hendrix
Favorite TV Show(s):
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight
Current/former bands:
Tooth grinder
Record that Changed Your Life:
Jimi Hendrix 'Electric Lady land'
Favorite Gig:
Playing The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA
Favorite Venue:
The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Airheads
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
Yes
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
I sway between Ricky Gervais, Kevin, Jim, and maybe Andy
Pre-show ritual:
Stretching!
Favorite Record Label:
SpineFarm / Universal
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Baseball
What else should we know?:
I have Endorsements with Tama Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Vans Shoes.
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Christian Seaman
Gear Nerd @ Asbury Park
cseaman@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
2
Product Specialty:
Electric guitars and amplifiers, pedals, accessories and everything related.
Musical History:
Various original and cover bands since age 16, current guitarist for the cover band Undisputed
First Instrument:
1/2 scale Epiphone Les Paul
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Martin Custom Shop OM-28
Special Talent:
Semi-decent cook
Favorite Band(s):
Kiss, Tom Petty, Sex Pistols
Favorite TV Show(s):
SpongeBob Squarepants but only the old episodes
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight
Current/former bands:
Independent guitarist, Undisputed (cover band), Matthew Stephen and the Sweet Action
Record that Changed Your Life:
Queen Live Killers
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Happy Gilmore
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
Yes
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
Pretty solid mix of Michael and Dwight
Pre-show ritual:
Lately, finding parking
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Continuing the search for the best German beer
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Matthew Caponegro
Sales (Gibson Nerd) @ Asbury Park
Mcaponegro@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
3
Product Specialty:
Electric guitars, effect pedals, amplifiers
Musical History:
5+ years experience touring across the U.S playing Lead guitar in the Indie Rock band “Toy Cars”
First Instrument:
Guitar
Favorite Piece of Gear:
64’ Es-345 Seafoam Green
Fun Fact:
Michael J. Fox played a cherry red Gibson ES-345 TDC in the hit film "Back to the Future.
Special Talent:
Eagle eyes
Most Embarrassing Moment:
Ripping my shorts in gym class
Favorite Band(s):
Local Natives, Manchester Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix
Favorite TV Show(s):
That 70's Show
Current/former bands:
Toy Cars
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight
Favorite Gig:
A great Big Piles of Leaves @ Asbury Lanes
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
The Wedding Singer
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Running
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
None of your business
Pre-show ritual:
Brushing my teeth
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Cody Nierstedt
Asbury Park Sales
Codyn@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
2
Product Specialty::
Guitars and Effects
Musical History:
Bachelors of Science in Music Performance from Adelphi University: Classical and Jazz Guitar.
First Instrument:
Guitar
Favorite Instrument/Piece of Gear:
Suhr Koko Boost + Sano 300R
Special Talent:
I can make grilled cheese in a toaster.
Most Embarrassing Moment:
Singing and doing the dance to “I Want it That Way” by the Backstreet Boys in my Kindergarten talent show.
Favorite Band(s):
Miles Davis, Circa Survive, Chet Baker, Armor for Sleep, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Favorite TV Show(s):
Dexter, It’s Always Sunny, Hunter X Hunter, Adventure Time, Trailer Park Boys, Yu Yu Hakusho
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight but low key want to say invisibility
Current/former bands:
I currently play guitar and sing in a band called Shot. Check us out on the gram, it’s “thebandshot”.
Record that Changed Your Life:
Chet Baker Sings
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Super Smash Bros
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Patrick Griffin
Guitar Technician @ Asbury Park
pgriffin@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
1
First Instrument:
Guitar
Favorite Instrument/Piece of Gear:
Gibson Les Paul
Fun Fact:
I have a set of bagpipes and I intend on learning to play them on my off time.
Special Talent:
I can lick my elbow.
Favorite Band(s):
Grateful dead, Twiddle
Invisibility or Flight?:
Invisibility
Current/former bands:
They were all pretty terrible , I’d like to start my own project soon
Record that Changed Your Life:
Long live rock and roll-rainbow
Favorite Gig:
Anything that pays
Favorite Venue:
Jones beach
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
Yes
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
Dwight
Pre-show ritual:
Figure out how I'm going to fake my way through the songs that I don't know
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Nascar
What else should we know? Tell us anything!:
English bulldogs are the best dogs.
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Bill Ahearn
Guitar Technician @ Asbury Park
Bahearn@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
3
Specialty:
Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor
First Instrument:
RockAxe
Favorite Piece of Gear:
1993 Fender Stratocaster Plus
Special Talent:
Able to spend an entire day off from work, at work working
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight
Most Embarrassing Moment:
Too many to mention
Favorite Band(s):
Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Pantera, Tool
Favorite TV Show(s):
Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Record that Changed Your Life:
Led Zeppelin- Houses of the Holy
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Happy Gilmore
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
Yes
Pre-show ritual:
Smoke a cigarette
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Basketball
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Scott Engel
Director of Marketing
Scottengel@russomusic.com
Specialty:
Guitars, Amps, Effects, Excel, Slack
First Instrument:
Epiphone FT-140 bolt on acoustic (currently collapsed on itself in a closet. “Mechanic’s Car” Syndrome)
Favorite Piece of Gear:
'52 Tele RI from 2006
Special Talent:
Able to spend an entire day off from work, at work working
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight. Duh. Don’t be a creep.
Current/former bands:
The Holy Mess, The Ruining ,The Beatles, The Cryptkeeper Fiv
Record that Changed Your Life:
Alkaline Trio/Hot Water Music Jade Tree Split '02
Favorite Gig:
Some warehouse in Philly with Menzingers and The Loved Ones. Anyone remember what that place was called?
Favorite Venue:
Asbury Lanes (RIP Dawg)
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Happy Gilmore
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
No
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
Never watched that
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Matt Bernard
Guitar Technician @ Hamilton
MBernard@Russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
6
Product Specialty:
Electric guitar, Acoustic guitar, and Bass Guitar, Repair & Maintenance
Musical History:
Started playing in gigging bands when I was 15. Started working on guitars professionally 6 years ago
First Instrument:
Drums
Favorite Piece of Gear:
My 78’ Fender Mustang and Music Master Bass Guitars
Special Talent:
Fret Work, Guitar Electronic Work, Guitar Playability Enhancement
Favorite Band(s):
The Bronx, MF DOOM, Baroness
Favorite TV Show(s):
The Office
Invisibility or Flight?:
Invisibility
Current/former bands:
Current: Coach’s Son Former: The Ruining, The Checkers NJ
Record that Changed Your Life:
Rancid’s And Out Come the Wolves
Favorite Venue:
Millhill Basement
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Happy Gilmore
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
Yes
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
Creed
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Hanging out with good friends
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Jeff Lacour
Sales Manager @ Hamilton
jefflacour@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
18
Product Specialty:
Guitar, Drums, PA and Recording
Musical History:
I played guitar with local original bands until being sucked into an excel spreadsheet at work.
First Instrument:
Drums
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Fender Strat
Fun Fact:
First time on a plane was to attend the winter NAMM show 2011.
Special Talent:
I can fall asleep anywhere.
Most Embarrassing Moment:
The moment I realized every band I listened to in the late 90's were not cool.
Favorite Band(s):
Strung Out, The Cure, The Beatles
Current/former bands:
Philo
Record that Changed Your Life:
Twisted by Design
Favorite Gig:
The cafeteria at my community college
Favorite Venue:
The Trocadero
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Time with my daughter.
What else should we know?:
I play guitar left handed so I may remember every left handed guitar the store ever had since the beginning of time.
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Jim Graziano
Sales Guy @ Hamilton
jimgraziano@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
11
Product Specialty:
Band and Orchestra, guitars, amps, pedals, wax cylinders, pro audio
Musical History:
I played guitar with local original bands until being sucked into an excel spreadsheet at work.
First Instrument:
Alto Sax
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Bass guitar
Fun Fact:
I taught Michael Jackson how to moonwalk, but then I forgot how to do it.
Special Talent:
Finding spelling mistakes in questionnaires
Current/former bands:
Honah Lee Doctor Teeth & the Electric Mayhem Groovy Movies
Invisibility or Flight?:
Clairvoyance
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
None of your business
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
Kevin's Famous Chili
Pre-show ritual:
Scrambling to remember song parts/lyrics
Favorite Record Label:
They're still a thing?
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John Comninel
Sales Guy @ Hamilton
JohnComninel@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
1
Product Specialty:
Fenders, Basses
Musical History:
Playing in bands since '09, Helping people find awesome gear since'13.
First Instrument:
Bass guitar
Favorite Piece of Gear:
2005 MIJ Jaguar bass
Special Talent:
Yo-yo's
Favorite Band(s):
Foo Fighters, Failure, Cave in, Bad Religion, Soundgarden
Favorite TV Show(s):
Seinfeld
Clowns are:
Just trying to make a buck.
Current/former bands:
Battery Operated, Louie Probably, New Politicians, Nobody
Record that Changed Your Life:
Too many to list them all, but The Colour and the Shape and Down on the Upside get honorable mentions
Favorite Gig:
Nodriza Studio in Monterrey, it was packed and sweaty and the crowd was awesome
Favorite Venue:
The Court Tavern, because it's close to my house.
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Big Daddy, tragically underrated
Favorite Record Label:
Play-tone, I love the Wonders!
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Baseball, Photography, and BMX
What else should we know?:
In Canada, milk comes in bags.
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Ethan Chaplin
Sales @ Hamilton
echaplin@russomusic.com
With Russo Music Since:
2019
Musical History:
Been playing guitar since I was 15. Since then I've put together a band and have played all over.
First Instrument:
Guitar
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Gibson 60' Traditional Les Paul reissue
Favorite Band(s):
Soundgarden - Alice in Chains
Favorite TV Show(s):
Lethal Weapon/Mind hunter
Invisibility or Flight?:
Invisibility
Current/former bands:
Rust N' Stardust
Record that Changed Your Life:
So Much For The Afterglow
Favorite Gig:
Rockwood Music Hall. It was a great small venue in NYC that was packed at 1AM.
Favorite Venue:
The Chubby Pickle
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Billy Palka
Sales @ Hamilton
wpalka@russomusic.com
With Russo Music Since:
2019
Musical History:
Been drumming for 17 years and playing guitar for 13. Respected the Rock always.
First Instrument:
French Horn
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Fender Jazzmaster
Favorite Band(s):
Minutemen, Fugazi, The Jesus Lizard, Kevin Gates
Favorite TV Show(s):
Cops!
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight
Current/former bands:
Stranger Cells, Decoration, Pinkus, Taste Wasters
Record that Changed Your Life:
We Shall all be Healed by The Mountain Goats
Favorite Gig:
The rock ones.
Favorite Venue:
In The West
