DANNY BALZANO

Danny started his life in music at age 6 when he began taking drum lessons. At age 14 however, he made the jump to guitar and began taking lessons from such accomplished guitarists as Larry Mitchell (Ric Ocasek, Billy Squier, Tracy Chapman), Jon Levin (Dokken, Doro), Al Pitrelli (Alice Cooper, Asia, Trans Siberian Orchestra) and David Fiuczynski (Screaming Headless Torsos).

While studying his instrument with such talented instructors, Danny began performing with local rock cover bands and eventually began writing original material with the band Amethyst and then with Smile Orange. Smile Orange was a staple of the New York music scene throughout the 1990’s and toured all over the Northeast region of the U.S. In 1997 they recorded an EP with famed producer Steve Thompson.

In the late 1990’s & early 2000’s, Danny wrote, recorded and performed music with Broadway star Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida, Chicago), as well as with Island recording artist Dogma and Columbia recording artist Collision. He also co-wrote and recorded the song “You Could B The One” which was included on the soundtrack to the major motion picture “Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer” and even played guitar tracks on a song written and produced by Puff Daddy.

In 2003, Danny decided to try lead singing and “dipped his toe” into the Long Island tribute band scene when he and our bassist Scott co-founded Monkey Wrench - America’s 1^st tribute to Foo Fighters. Monkey Wrench continues to perform and in 2005 they performed live on MTV2’s “24 Hours Of Foo”. Danny also sings lead for Facelift (Alice In Chains tribute) and plays lead guitar with Last Exit (Pearl Jam tribute).

Growing up as a guitar player on Long Island in the 1980’s, Danny couldn’t help but be hugely influenced by the playing of Neil “Spider” Giraldo. With that, he is so excited to have the chance to be playing the amazing songs of Pat Benatar that Neil wrote and played on (and that Fire And Ice continue to play).