To NRBQ fans, Johnny Spampinato may be bassist Joey's brother and the guy who replaced departing guitarist Al Anderson in the band in 1994. But the younger Spampinato has long been a recognized talent in his own right, as a guitarist in the legendary Incredible Casuals, a band he still plays in. Since NRBQ is now founder Terry Adams...
Spampinato Brothers
To NRBQ fans, Johnny Spampinato may be bassist Joey's brother and the guy who replaced departing guitarist Al Anderson in the band in 1994.
But the younger Spampinato has long been a recognized talent in his own right, as a guitarist in the legendary Incredible Casuals, a band he still plays in. Since NRBQ is now founder Terry Adams and three new players, Johnny and Joey have formed the Spampinato Brothers. The brothers will once again join Al Anderson for a few holiday shows at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Dec. 26-27. Since those shows are now sold out, Anderson added a third show on Dec. 28, but that one will only have Joey Spampinato, as Johnny will be playing with the Incredible Casuals elsewhere. The Spampinato Brothers are readying a new CD being for release in February.
Johnny Spampinato took some time to answer a few questions about his relationship with his brother, replacing Anderson in NRBQ, and playing guitar.
Obviously Joey is used to playing with Al, but since you replaced him in NRBQ, what was that dynamic like?
The dynamic (laughs)—was a bit more brotherly. We hadn't really done it any more than me sitting in with them once in a while. It was fun to start singing harmonies, and write songs together.
Since Al is in Nashville, do you guys get to rehearse much? Or is it just a matter of things falling in place because everyone's played a lot of these songs for so long?
We do not get to rehearse much, but when something has to be learned, it gets done, somehow, with, or without Al.
You've been playing with your brother for quite a while now since you joined NRBQ back in 1994. Did you guys play music a lot when you're growing up together? Was there sibling rivalry?
Joey, and I didn't play much at all together unless he was showing me chords. The age difference didn't matter after a while. There was no sibling rivalry.
Even though you joined NRBQ back in 1994, you remained (and remain) active with the Incredible Casuals. Was it and is it difficult to juggle?
At times I took early flights back to the Cape to make a show in time, but it was only in the summer when the band worked, so it was only a juggle part of the time.
You're one of the a few left-handed guitars to see around. Who are some of your influences? Can I assume Jimi Hendrix was one of them just because he was a lefty? Talk a little about who drew you to guitar.
Hendrix was never an influence of mine. It was Chuck (Berry) I got my first licks from, like lots of guys. Steve Ferguson (the first NRBQ guitarist) was my first real influence. And who didn't love to listen to Big Al?
Speaking of Big Al, although you were already an established and highly regarded guitarist in your own right at that time, when you joined NRBQ were you daunted at all about having to replace Al, who was already somewhat of a legend?
I cared about it, but didn't want it to get in the way of me being myself, which was the best version of me. So I learned the songs and tried to capture what was there in the first place, and get comfortable doing it the way I can.