This post is the first in a series where we profile each band member in a blog post. And what better place to start then to profile Frank Primeggia aka the Disco Cowboy.
Frank is hands-down the heart and soul of this band. Frank has quite a force of personality, and I'll explain what I mean by that below.
Frank was born and bred in Brooklyn, NY and comes from a musical family. His primary musical inspirations are his cousin who played the organ and his sister who listened to music and exposed Frank to the Grateful Dead and New Riders of the Purple Sage.
By day, Frank is a control officer for a major British bank. I found his out when I got an e-mail from Frank at work that ended with a lengthy disclaimer about how his e-mail may or may not constitute an invitation to enter into a derivatives transaction. By evening and weekends, Frank leads or directs the 4 (and sometimes 5) ring circus that is Without a Net. And where Frank leads, the band follows producing their signature brand of rock and the good times that result.
If had to describe Frank in a word I would say he's confident. Or perhaps a better word is unapologetic or uncompromising. I once suggested to Frank that the band could appeal to a younger demographic by playing some newer music and he "categorically rejected" my suggestion. I suppose Frank has had to compromise in other areas of his life such as at work and in playing with other bands. And I suppose he does not feel the need to compromise here since Without a Net is his own baby.
In trying to figure what I meant by force of personality, take a look at this link. Perhaps some of it is due to the fact that he grew up in Brooklyn, he has street-smarts and tough exterior which is juxtaposed against the fact that he is basically an artist. He is tough but sensitive and that makes for an interesting mix.
On a more serious note, Frank was diagnosed with Leukemia which is a cancer of the blood in the late 1990's. His prospects for survival were not good. With a bone marrow transplant from his sister, the cancer was treated successfully and has not returned. This brush with his own mortality has made Frank more determined to realize his musical self and the band is his modus operandi.
Frank puts it best himself in Disco Cowboy:
When the music starts to play
All my cares go away
It's when I feel complete
With the boys in the band
We rock the Hinterland
With our funky blues
Finally, I want to end with one of Frank's lyrics from a new and promising original called "The Song of Us":
The road is hard and the days are long
The journey is sweet when your life's a song
When you get a chance, check out Frank and the rest of the Without a Net band at their next live appearance.
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