THE ANTS

In 1984, nine R & B enthusiasts came together and formed a band called "The Ants Need Rolaids".  After two rehearsals, the band entered a battle of bands at Brock University, since most of members attended Brock.  Yes; the band won first prize and the nine original members got to split $100.00 dollars. The original 9 members John Multari (drums, vocals), Sandro Bovine (a.k.a Sandy Vine, vocals, guitar), Warren Stirtzinger (guitar), Stan Szymkow (tenor sax) Dave Colonico (tenor sax), the late Bill Stevens (Baritone sax), Mario Gerimia (keyboards, Mike Kuchar (bass, vocals), and John Grdenic (harp and guitar). Our first paying gig was at the Aquaduck, where John Clark, who today owns MTBellies, paid us $1000.00. In those days there was a $5.00 cover charge and the place was packed every time we played.

 Since then, only two original members remain while the others have left to pursue their own projects and the band has reduced its size and shortened the name to the "Ants R & B Band".  Most former members come back and substitute for current members whenever there is a need for a player. The band replaced the keyboard player with Rito Vitrone, who played with the band for a number of years and then retired from music for a while. Mike Kuchar and Mike Luksic both played bass for a while and then also took breaks from music.

 A founding member of the "Ants", Sandro Bovine now leads the popular "Sandy Vine and The Midnites" and the Beatles tribute band “The Caverners.” Sandro has played on occasion when he was available. The late Bill Stevens led his own well-known Dixieland Band until his death. Warren Stirtzinger, Niagara’s premier jazz guitar player continues to play full time on countless projects and occasionally comes back to play with the Ants. Other musicians like Stan Szymkow and Dave Colonico play with numerous other bands and come back as guests with the Ants.

The Ants have played on and off since 1984 and longest stint and the peak of the band was in the 1990’s with the permanent members of John Multari, John Navarroli, John Grdenic, Alistair Robertson, Bill Neudorf and the late Joe Ingrao. This was the peak of the band and the time we got to play with many fine musicians from the Toronto music scene. The late Joe Ingrao would get guest musicians from Toronto almost every week, such as the horn players from Blood, Sweat and Tears: the late fabulous Earl Seymour and Mark Armstrong. Drummers like Greg Critchley and Jeff Stevens from the Lincolns. A long running drummer we still use today, Jimmy Dimartile, wrote most of the charts to our songs allowing guests to play easier. The band played from Niagara to Ruanes in Barrie. The Ants never really broke up, we just took breaks from playing and primarily existed as and R and B Band with an emphasis on individual soling and the use of special guests on a regular basis.

The last few years we started played once a month at Cats Caboose, the slots in Fort Erie and the slots at Woodbine. The band became a full time part-time thing. The untimely loss of our dear friend Joe Ingrao affected all the members of the band and drove us into running a very successful tribute/fundraiser. There have been a few articles explaining what Joe meant to the Ants and his friends. The Ants will continue as they always have, a part time band with special guests, but we will never be the same without our brother Joe Ingrao.

 The premises behind, "The Ants" is: we are a party or fun band that exists primarily to promote Rhythm and Blues music.  All of the members share a common love for the Blues, R & B, Soul and Motown music.  Mixing and fusing Chicago and Texas Blues, R & B, Soul and Motown provides the right formula for a party. The repertoire includes the music of Robert Cray, B. B. King, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Delbert McClinton, Average White Band, White Trash, War, Downchild Blues Band, James Cotton, Albert Collins, Gary Moore and many other performers of " North American Traditional Music". All band members have original tunes that we’ve never recorded and this project we may fulfill one day.

Working at various professions during the day, the group members come from a wide variety of musical experience and backgrounds.  The band works with six permanent members and one guest performer usually playing a horn instrument. The members include the vocals and aggressive drumming of John Multari; the vocals, and Chicago blues harp and guitar style of Johnny Grdenic Johnny G.) ; The vocals and funky guitar sounds of our American import, John Navarroli (Nav); the eclectic horn style of " The Brit, Alistair Robertson; the versatile vocal style and bass playing of Billy Neudorf (Billy)

The guest artists vary and this year will include: sax players from Niagara, the Melodic Dave Colonico, Niagara's one and only Stan Szymkow. Keyboard players like Roger Niznik .

Special Guests: Tenor Saxophone: Stan Szymkow

Hammond B3 Organ: Roger Niznik

 R & B IS ALIVE AND WELL IN NIAGARA!