Worcester, MA Native Joe Giglio Is a Saint ~ a Proton Saint, That Is
By Alex Kantarelis
Joe saying hello during the “Rely” video shoot ~ photo courtesy of facebook.com/joe.giglio.37
Every now and then fate brings people together in a way that seems almost impossible. So was the case for Joe Giglio. The Worcester native now lives in Los Angeles, where he is playing drums in a new band, Proton Saints. The band was put together in a truly remarkable way ~ through a reality TV show. Giglio, who also splits his time as a studio drummer, found a group of guys with whom he had…and has… a true chemistry, and it was all just by dumb luck.
Anyone who’s been in and around the Northeast music scene know Giglio (probably as Joe Gigolo, the whirlwind drummer who had an uncanny resemblance to Animal from “The Muppets” when he was onstage) from the time he spent slamming on the drums for local bands Demons Alley and Labianca. Then, about 4 years ago, he packed up and moved across the country to LA, where he started taking on projects as a studio drummer. After spending a year grinding it in the southern California sun, he was cast in VH1’s series “Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp,” where he got to share the stage with legends Michael Anthony, Ace Freehley, and Brett Michaels. For the series, the network sets up an audition process to see which combination of musicians could evolve into the best band.
“I didn’t know anybody ahead of time, it was basically just, ‘We’re casting you to play a drummer on this show,’ and I showed up,” Giglio said.
Proton Saints 2010 ~ photo by Robert M Knight, courtesy facebook.com/joe.giglio.37
The producers put him behind the drums with three random musicians he had never met and basically told them to find a way to become a band. Musicians have egos, and a move like this would usually cause some serious fireworks, but in this pretty much once-in-a-lifetime experience, Giglio and those three other musicians really meshed ~ and Proton Saints were born. As the show rolled on, several “camp counselors” helped the new band get their start ~ Giglio said that 80s legend Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake, Ozzy) worked directly with The Proton Saints and deserves special props.
After the show ended, the band decided to stay together and keep playing ~ a choice that would prove to be the right one. Proton Saints’ style is a heavily 80s influenced rock assault, with modern technology helping them sound absolutely massive.
Proton Saints rockin’ w/ Bret Michaels (of Poison) and Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Quiet Riot) on the hit Vh1 show “Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp” series finale at the Key Club on Sunset Blvd., photo courtesy of facebook.com/joe.giglio.37
“Having Rudy as a counselor definitely shaped that sound,” Giglio acknowledged.
Proton Saints With Anu Gunn, Joe (Gigolo) Giglio, Kieron Elliott and Galo Cueva
The band have burst onto the scene with their first single and music video, “Rely,” which was mixed by Skip Saylor and is getting great reviews from various respected outlets in the music scene. They’re praised for combining elements reminiscent of late supergroup Velvet Revolver with 80s style flair and a modern rock edge to create a truly stand-out sound.
Check out the video for “Rely” HERE.
While “Rely” is getting them the all-important buzz in the music world, they are not rushing to put out an album.
“We kind of take an approach like the old school people back in the day did, where you record a single and a b-side, and then after you record 5 or 6 singles you have an album,” Giglio said.
What he doesn’t want to do with Proton Saints is release an album before they are fully ready to do so. The band may be relatively new, but Giglio has been in and around the music business long enough to know exactly what mistakes NOT to make.
Photo of Joe courtesy of facebook.com/joe.giglio.37
“A lot of bands say, ‘Here’s one song, let’s crap out 9 more to make an album,’” he said.
They do plan on releasing their first full length, but until that time, they will keep bringing out single after single of top quality songs. Without the help of Rudy Sarzo and CEO of Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp David Fishof, none of this would have been possible, and Giglio is forever grateful to the mentors who were instrumental (no pun intended!) in the creation of Proton Saints.
Episodes of “Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp” are available for streaming on VH1’s website, and Proton Saints ~ KIERON ELLIOT- Vocals, ANU GUNN – Lead Guitar, Vocals, HEATHER WILLIAMS – Guitar, Vocals, GALO CUEVA – Bass, Vocals, and JOE GIGLIO – Drums ~ are available on all your favorite music websites and streaming services. Check them out on their website, Facebook, or iTunes.
New England misses you, Joe, so make sure to schedule a show in good ol’ Worcester when Proton Saints are ready to tour!
Official Proton Saints’ Facebook