about
Say 80Thing plays the pop music and one-hit wonders of the 80s. We are a theatrical, decade of decadence experience. We formed in 2012 to play to small and large audiences - taverns, summer concert series, county/state fairs and corporate/private events - but it wasn't until 2016 that we would adopt the tag line, "a live version of a mixtape you made in high school." Our fans have defined us, as scripted in the Breakfast Club (1985), "In the simplest terms, the most convenient definitions are..." High Energy Band + Top '80s Hits + Interactive Show + Rad Vocals & Musicians = A Totally Tubular Time!
Rachel - Vocals, Tambourine, & Shakers
Rachel Menconi was singing at the Hoboken Train Station when a businessman stopped to listen to her on his way home from work. While packing up her gear, Rachel got a text from that same man (Jimmy). His band was looking for a female singer & he invited her to perform a song at their next gig that same week. After coming to one rehearsal, she was asked to join & the rest is history! Rachel thinks it's really rad to be in such a bodacious band! Rachel is a SAG-AFTRA singer-actor, Grammy Award member, & has been performing & training since the age of 2. She is a recording artist (Bond Of Love on itunes), writer, singing & acting technique teacher (all ages), director, & is the owner of a production company called Sunshine Face Productions. Check out this vocal powerhouse!
Tony - drums, harmony vocals & more cowbell
Tony D'Alessandro is a fixture in the North Jersey club circuit having been in many bands over the years. He is a seasoned veteran of pop, rock, grunge, & metal. Tony has shared the stage with members of The Rusty Paul Band, Danzig, Trixter, Firehouse, & Overkill to name a few. He was also the opening act for Gilby Clark of Guns & Roses, Molly Hatchet, & numerous nationally touring tribute acts. As a self-taught student of the craft & a true professional, Tony is performance-driven. To him, it’s always about “the beat”. Come check out his sick skills!
Paul - bass, vocals
Paul starting playing the bass when he was 16 years old because he thought it was easier than guitar. He thought, "How hard can it be, it's only 4 strings?" Well it didn't take long to realize that isn't the case. Paul learned by listening to his favorite bass players: Graham Maby (Joe Jackson band), Michael Anthony, Sting, John Paul Jones, and so on. His favorite motto is "You hear the guitar, but you Feel the Bass." Paul loves playing any type of music that the audience will enjoy and get on their feet to dance.
Jimmy - guitar
Jimmy D'Antonio has been playing guitar since...well a long time. At the age of 13, his styles included rock, punk, & new wave. To Jimmy, live music was all about the watts, distortion, & stacks of amplifiers ringing in your head. At the age of 15, Jimmy studied jazz theory, fusion jazz, and classical guitar while still playing New Wave music with his band Cheap Thrills. Jimmy, as a long-haired scraggly punk, would often go to jazz clubs to learn by watching the masters and scurry home to mimic what he saw them do. Today, Jimmy enjoys playing the one-hit wonders of the '80s, which is a lot easier to play and a lot more fun!
Johne - Keyboard, Vocals, Trombone & Guitar
Johne Plass has always had an ear for music. With an emphasis on keyboards & guitar, even before his beard was a mustache, he was teaching himself to play a variety of instruments. Like most hip & kewl dudes, his hero is Beethoven, but he also has an affinity for ’80s, Electronic & Metal. He has been shaped by his experiences in numerous bands, even sharing the stage with Motorhead & Overkill. Johne is a complex guy who has an open mind with a passion for playing & creating music.
NEIL - Trumpet, harmony vocals
Neil Morris first picked up the trumpet at age 11 & trumpeted his way throughout high school. He performed in every school band (Marching, Jazz, Concert) & school orchestra he could, making him the ultimate “music man”. He continued playing in college & in the years that followed, Neil honed his trumpeting skills playing in his family‘s basement. All that changed when he was asked to perform at a Say 80Thing gig...the "music man" in Neil was reborn.
Paula - vocals
Paula Mostillo started singing at a very young age honing her voice during elementary and high school choir .. and after graduation, her passion for signing would take her places only imagined. She sang lead in many cover bands and eventually formed, with her husband Kevin, the highly successful 80s band, Faces In The Crowd. Faces played the NY/NJ club circuit regularly and was offered two record deals: one with Kenny Rogers' manager/producer, Ken Kragen. By 1987, Faces' music video of their original song "Love Without Fiction" entered into rotation play at MTV and this video can be seen on YouTube. Paula has many musical influences and at a very memorable PNC Arts Center concert, she was invited to perform on stage with her idol, Pat Benatar. A profound moment for her ... I'll let you guess if its was Pat's moment or Paula's.
To be announced
Soon, we will announce our newest member.
Bodacious GuestS
Algonzo - saxophone
Algonzo was raised in a musical family. A child prodigy that seemed to move from elementary school jazz band directly into the recording studio. He began his recording career in high school, pursued an education in jazz saxophone during college and has been featured on many recordings with jazz royalty, and recently on a made for T.V. jazz music special. So what's next for Algonzo ... to play 80s pop.
John - bass
John Henderson loves to play the bass!! He has been in numerous cover bands for decades & enjoys many different genres. Known as "Mr. Professor" in rehearsal, John is a true professional & rounds out the sound with his wicked bass lines! John feels having a female & male singer allows the band to play just about anything! Come see "The John Henderson Experience" with Say 80Thing! You won’t be disappointed!!
Ross - vocals, Harmonica, rhythm
Ross Sandler loves the music of the '80s & thinks it's awesome that he is able to live out one of his dreams of singing these iconic songs! With a vocal range like Bon Jovi, a grittiness like Tom Petty, & a soulfulness like James Brown, he loves pushing his falsetto to soaring heights & spitting out lyrics to any '80s rap song. RHe holds a B.F.A. in modern dance & choreography from Ohio University.
Matt - Vocals, SAX, HARMONICA, & Rhythm Guitar
Matt Schiering has been playing & making music since his parents bought him his first guitar at the age of nine. He started voice lessons year later, & eventually picked up the saxophone as well as the harmonica. A proud nerd, he spent his formative years obsessing over '80s music & movies. His influences include Queen, Rush, Billy Joel, Journey, & John Mellencamp.
Nicole - Vocals
Nicole "barefoot" Contessa is a magnificent performer. She is so chockfull of energy. We are always are amazed at the lengths she goes to to engage the audience ... thankfully she has a wireless mic or that chord would be wrapped around every table and everyone.