Jeff Altieri on the Pulse of Staten Island’s Thriving Music Scene
Jeff and the band ENRAGE performing photo by Mi Ke (Courtesy of Jeff Altieri)
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Jeff Altieri aka Jeff Enrage, a seasoned show producer and musician with a long history in the Staten Island music scene. Jeff shares his journey, the current state of the local music scene, and his vision for the future.
Jeff Altieri has produced hundreds of shows supporting the local scene. (Courtesy of Jeff Altieri)
Can you tell our readers about your history and how you started producing shows? What was the first show you produced, and where was it?
Jeff: First off, thank you for having me. I'm a big fan of what you do, promoting Staten Island beyond the Jersey Shore, Sopranos vibe.
Jeff: It’s been so long, I don't remember my first show exactly, but it was probably about 30 years ago. I started as a bouncer as a teenager and took over after my younger brother stopped doing shows. We fell into it because bands like Enrage were drawing huge crowds. We used to get 500 to 1000 people at our shows. Over time, we realized venues were taking most of the money, so we became more business-savvy. Not very Punk Rock, I know, but bands deserved to make money if they were bringing in those numbers.
Where are the venues in which you are currently producing shows?
Jeff: Right now, I do Fridays at the Hop. They’ve been great to me. I’ll be starting some stuff at the Rock House, and during the summer, at the Swiss. I'll also be hitting my 10th year at Pugs, which will tie my longest run at Dock Street.
If you could revive one venue on the island from the past to 2024, which would it be? Can you also tell us where it was and why it closed?
Jeff: That’s a tough one. So many good spots... the Wave, the Red Spot, Rock Palace, Caves, The Cup. But more recently, it was a shame that Juicy Lucy closed. That patio was really taking off and could have been something.
What's your dream bill to book on the island and where?
Jeff: I would love to book some national acts again. A few years ago, I did Sick Of It All and Agnostic Front at Pugs, which is still insane to believe. I'd like to do something with national acts that don’t have radius clauses at a proper venue.
How would you describe the state of the music scene currently on Staten Island?
Jeff: It’s thriving but unfortunately slept on by the 'cooler' boroughs. I don’t book a lot of hardcore or metal much anymore, but the metal scene is really popping. The metal community does everything that the hardcore scenes claim they do."*
What current music acts do you feel are making an impact on the scene?
Jeff: Jigsaw Youth is blowing up, Tombstoner is touring, King Like Mom is making moves. There are some bands from the island that never play the island but use 'Shaolin' or 'Tiger Style' as some sort of rep. It’s whack. Good for them for doing things, but they ain’t 'Shaolin'.
Do you think it's hard for newer musicians to get involved in our local scene?
Jeff: As long as I'm around, no. There’s always some elitism and cliques, but I've always given the underdog band their first show.
When people say there’s nothing to do in Staten Island, how does this make you feel? Sometimes shows on the island don’t get the attention; why do you think that is?
Jeff: It’s always been cool to shit on SI. We do get overlooked. If a band is playing Jersey, Staten Island is too close. If they play Brooklyn, that’s too close. So we get slept on by nationals lately. And we don’t have a legit big venue for them. I came close with Pugs, but at the end of the day, it’s a dive bar that has music once, maybe twice a week. Maybe one day, things will change.
What do you think stops local folks from coming out to support the independent music scene on the Island?
Jeff: Younger heads have so many options in entertainment. They can socialize from home! When I was young, we had no socials. So a show became THE thing to do."*
What would make the local music scene stronger? What is currently in the way of achieving this?
Jeff: Well, like l mentioned- a proper venue. Legit venue. But to be candid... l don’t want to sound out of pocket....the average show is 40 to 50 paid. That fills up the places l book nicely. But that can't sustain a venue. 40 to 50 people is only 10 or so people paying to see each band. I'd love to do two band shows. But it's not sustainable. So shows are 4 or 5 bands. There are only so many bands on the island so there is a lot of overplaying. I try to tell bands to space their shows and make it an event but l can't stop them from playing. Some do shows on their own w/out me booking or promoting l would never tell them they can't do that. But these bands tend to overplay and under promote. Again, old man talking- they have computers in their pockets to promote to thousands. I tag bands l book almost daily. All they gotta do is hit share. Not enough do . I think one thing that's disheartening is there is not strong enough of a scene where l can book 3 or 4 out of town bands or bands who don't draw and people will be there anyway. That's not the case. To be fair, Hop does have a built in crowd which works especially when l book a cover band. Pugs has no built in crowd for shows. 10 years of consistency and still no built in show crowd. I have my thoughts why but that's another story.... LOL. I mean, if there is no show - no one is there before 1 AM. That's a shame. Like people go to Lucky 13 in BK just to go. We don't have that here. Maybe one day . Hopefully. I'm always optimistic.
How does a lack of proper venues and radius clauses affect Staten Island’s music scene?
Jeff: Massively. So like, a booking agent from I dunno, Chicago sees that Staten Island and Brooklyn are both in NYC. So if the band plays BK they can't play SI. The agent doesn't realize they're worlds apart. Same goes for Jersey.
And to be fair l have the opportunity to book some nationals but I don't want to see Hop get destroyed w/a crowd of 200 in the pit. I can do them at Pugs but l choose not to right now.
If someone wants to get into producing and promoting shows, what would your advice be?
Jeff: Don't! LOL Be prepared to be the "bad guy". Meaning, there are still people in the arts who think l should be making no money - zero for doing this. That this should be done for the "scene". Being a good promoter, booker ....It's kinda like being the cool teacher. Inheritedely, being a teacher is being adversarial to the kids. Like kids would hate teachers simply because they're teachers but they'd say "Yeah but Altieri is cool" Meaning, cool for a teacher. Same goes w being a promoter / booker.
For example, l give very explicit instructions before each show , like a teacher LOL. When to show, up - what to bring - pay rate etc. Like a lesson or HW LOL . That's inheritedely not "cool" but necessary. When bands don't promote or won't get off stage or show up late or cancel last min or a myriad of things that can go wrong, the promoter/booker has to take care of the situation. I guess another aspect is be prepared to be on your phone all the time. A show may be only 4 hours but putting it together and promoting it takes hours and hours every single day. Now try booking shows every weekend with 4 or 5 bands a night and you live on your phone.
What shows and events do you have coming up?
Jeff: Lots thankfully albeit l take vacations in the Summer. Got pretty much every Friday on lock at Hop Shoppe. I'm even doing some stuff at Rock House. They're building a great rep there. And less nights at Pugs but what l do have there is "bigger" shows. Less shows but bigger . I got the second Richmond Rage Fest is June 15 w Tombstoner, Graveywhore, Gamma Ghouls, Festergore, Tortorous Inception and Mutant. All extreme stuff. Then on the flip side, l got a Ska Party on June 29.
My first Mid Sommer Nights Goth Party July 13 with bands including a Misfits tribute and DJ Alex Assimilate spinning Goth, Dark Wave, EBM etc so that should be fun. And I'm talking to the local HC band Cropsey about playing too. They're doing right by the island as well. So yeah I'm keeping busy. Stuff lined up for next year too at Hop and Rock House LOL
MOST importantly (shameless plug) Enrage is playing June 14 at the Debonair Hall in Jersey. A benefit for one of our heroes Eddie Sutton of Leeway. And we will finally have new music end of the year. Gonna be a banger
(Courtesy of Jeff Altieri)
(Courtesy of Jeff Altieri)
(Courtesy of Jeff Altieri)
You can find more information about Jeff Enrage @worldenrage
Check out Enrage’s music here https://worldenrage.com/
Jahtiek Long is an interdisciplinary artist, musician, community organizer, and co-founder of the Shaolin Art Party. He loves photographing the island and playing the ukulele. Jahtiek is passionate about shifting the narrative surrounding Staten Island and showcasing the vibrance of the borough. He’s also really excited about all the new Ramen spots popping up. @jahtieklong