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
Howie Cohen
Assistant Manager @ Asbury Park
hcohen@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
7
Specialty:
Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Effects Pedals, Gibson Five Star Certified, Taylor Guitars University
First Instrument:
Violin
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Fender TC-90 / Boss DD-20 Giga Delay
Musical History:
Been playing in bands you may have but probably haven't heard of for 15 years. Some were not good.
Fun Fact:
I used to actually be able to read and write music and composed a jazz number or two. I forget how.
Special Talent:
Fooling some in to thinking I'm a mediocre guitar player behind excessive amounts of delay pedals
Favorite Band(s):
The Weakerthans, The New Amsterdams, American Football, Into It Over It, Thrice, Alvvways
Favorite TV Show(s):
Scrubs, Shameless, any awful super hero series, 24
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight
Current/former bands:
Athletics: Deep Elm Records, intheclouds Records Ghost House: intheclouds Records latewaves: Panic State Records
Record that Changed Your Life:
Clarity - Jimmy Eat World
Favorite Venue:
Saint Vitus
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Billy Madison
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
None of your business
Pre-show ritual:
A shot of something dark and excitedly turning my phone of for 30 minutes, maybe one more shot of something dark
Favorite Record Label:
Polyvinyl
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Trying to find something to do I enjoy that's non-music related
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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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Mike Burt
Guitars + Photography @ Asbury Park
mburt@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
3
Product Specialty:
Guitar and Bass
Musical History:
Started playing bass at 14, switched to guitar at 20.
First Instrument:
Crappy Bass which is now covered in stickers
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Gibson Es-335 in Tascam Orange
Fun Fact:
Venus has the longest day of any planet in our solar system
Special Talent:
Loudest voice in the room
Favorite Band(s):
Hot Water Music
Favorite TV Show(s):
What's TV?
Invisibility or Flight?:
Invisibility
Current/former bands:
3 Fingered Jack Empty Handed NJ Take Today The Clampdown The Excitement Gang
Record that Changed Your Life:
Green Day- Dookie
Favorite Venue:
Asbury Lanes (RIP)
Favorite Adam Sandler Flick:
Bulletproof
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
Yes
Which Character from “The Office” are you?:
Ricky Gervais, not his character. Just him.
Pre-show ritual:
Usually unpacking the van.
Favorite Record Label:
Epitaph (in the 90s)
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Woodworking
What else should we know?:
My best friend and I found a dead body when we were kids.
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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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Chandler Scales
Band & Orchestra @ Hamilton
cscales@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
1
Product Specialty:
Woodwinds/Brass/Orchestral Strings
Musical History:
Playing saxophone since 9-years-old. Gigging with various funk bands since 2010
First Instrument:
Saxophone
Favorite Band(s):
Michael Jackson, Queen, TWRP, KISS, Dio
Favorite TV Show(s):
The Simpsons, Scrubs
Current/former bands:
Charles Laurita and the Mischief, The Do Rights, DaddyGreenJeans
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
None of your business
Pre-show ritual:
Blasting Black Sabbath in the car on the way to the gig
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Zach Miller
Drum Guy @ Hamilton
zmiller@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
2
Musical History:
Started drums in 4th grade, started my first band 2 years later and haven't thought about stopping.
First Instrument:
Drum Set
Favorite Piece of Gear:
1972 Ludwig Vistalite
Favorite Band(s):
Podcasts
Favorite TV Show(s):
The Office
Invisibility or Flight?:
Invisibility
Current/former bands:
Former The Great Explainer, Neur, Roy Orbitron, Fond Han, Hot Fang, Free Yon, Con Leche Current: Sick Sh*t, Brackish
Record that Changed Your Life:
"Calculating Infinity" - The Dillinger Escape Plan
Favorite Gig:
Opening for Choking Victim @ Union Transfer
Favorite Venue:
New Brunswick Basements
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Jimi Duran
Shredder @ Hamilton
jduran@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
2
Musical History:
Played with Marilyn Manson, Blondie, NOFX, My Chemical Romance, Killswitch Engage
First Instrument:
Squier Strat
Favorite Piece of Gear:
Jackson RRXMG
Fun Fact:
I grew up in the Bronx, two blocks from Yankee Stadium.
Favorite Band(s):
Iron Maiden, Children of Bodom, Yngwie Malmsteen
Favorite TV Show(s):
Dragonball Z
Invisibility or Flight?:
Flight
Current/former bands:
Fire Made Flesh, The Only September Mourning, This Bitter End
Record that Changed Your Life:
Yngwie Malmsteen: Marching Out
Favorite Venue:
Irving Plaza, NYC
Pre-show ritual:
Shred
Preferred non-music related pastime:
Comic books
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Lou Borcsik
Guitars & Pedals @ Hamilton
lborcsik@russomusic.com
Years with Russo Music:
1
Product Specialty:
Guitars, Pedals, Amps
First Instrument:
Guitar
Favorite Piece of Gear:
All of it
Favorite Band(s):
Umphrey's Mcgee
Favorite TV Show(s):
The Wonder Years
Current/former bands:
DaddyGreenJeans
Record that Changed Your Life:
"Launchpad" by Particle
Do you ever play air guitar/drums in the mirror?:
None of your business
Pre-show ritual:
Punch dancing to Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen.
