Dave Constantino Band Dave Constantino has a tasteful & polished blues rock style that has made him a legendary Western New York and National Guitarist and Singer. In the mid-sixties, he founded The Tweeds and wrote the 1967 regional hit "A Thing of the Past". In the early seventies, he joined forces with Drummer, Paul Varga and Bassist, Billy Sheehan to form the powerhouse trio, Talas. Talas became a Western New York success story and gained international recognition with classics like Dave’s song, "See Saw". Their popularity extended into the 1990s when they played reunion concerts to sold-out shows, which led to live CD releases and international concerts. Dave has established himself as a regional icon with bands like Shyboy and, most recently,
The Dave Constantino Band with Myron Sharvan on Guitar, David Pressley on Drums,Tom Reinhardt on Bass. The Dave Constantino Band performs live throughout Western New York and has released 2 CDs, "Bump in the Road" and "Touch," to rave reviews.
The Early Days
Original Tweeds at the “Teen Town” in Tonawanda, NY. Left to right: Ted Connor, Paul Varga, Alan Shaw & Dave.
Tweeds in NYC to record Dave’s song, “A Thing of the Past”. That’s Dave’s Dad with them, he was the manager of the band.
Talas Years
He & She Club 1973. Billy & Dave had their amps set up next to each other that night. Man that had to be loud. Picture has red blotches on it. Not sure what it is . Maybe blood from his ears.
During a year or so break up of Dave, Paul & Billy. Dave & Paul Varga formed a 4 piece Talas with Rochester’s guitarist Michael Marconi and Bassist Dale Crston. Michael left the members of Alice Cooper’s band (Billion Dollar Babies) to team up with Dave & Paul. Michael was a big song writing influence on Dave. Many of Dave’s songs on the first Talas album, came from this period. Pictured here are Michael Marconi and Dave.
In 1979 Talas Headlined at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, NY. In 1997 they would reunite and sell out Kleinhans once again.
In 1972 Dave & Billy asked the late Rocco Oliverio from Olean, NY to join the band. Soon afterwards his brother Danny would join and play double drums with Rocco and also play guitar at times.
Moving On
During the emotional period of the final Talas breakup Dave decided to go straight back to his roots, playing songs by the Beatles, Elvis & more. Dave asked his high school friend Randy Satz to play bass, but it was hard to contain the hard rock energy that existed between Dave, Paul and Randy. The band later developed into a very popular Tweeds lineup. Here the Tweeds are at a club in Amherst, NY called Mean Guys East. Note the Beatles bass, Vox amp & small drum kit. They even used a box for drums at a point during the show for the authentic Elvis recording sound.
Paul left the Tweeds to pursue a new project. Dave asked Buffalo’s legendary drummer Ted Reinhardt to join the Tweeds. Soon afterward Alan left to dedicate himself to his own new project. Dave then asked Ted’s brother Tom to join. Ted & Tom had been playing for years with Willie Haddath in a popular blues band called Willie & the Reinhardts. The four of them played a gig together and decided to continue as a four piece band. Dave worked with them for around four years. Of course Ted and Tom are now with the Dave Constantino Band, but they do play with Willie as well. The four of them will get together now and then for a special show.
The Talas reunion shows inspired Dave & Paul to start a band again. Buffalo guitarist Michael Runo switched to bass to join the band. They named the band Shyboy, after a popular Talas song.
Shyboy became a club favorite and remained together for 8 years until going their separate ways in the fall of 2005. Dave joined forces once again, with Ted & Tom Reinhardt and spent the winter writing new songs for his soon to be released Dave Constantino Band CD.
DCB
July 1st The Dave Constantino Band opened for Robin Trower at the Molson Canal Concert Series in Tonawanda, NY. The concert was a great success and Dave’s powerful new material for his upcoming CD went over amazingly! This is the start of a new era for Dave.
Willie Haddath was a special guest performer at the show and played great slide solo’s during the song “Mystery Man”
Special guest Billy Sheehan graced the stage at the end of the show and Jammed out the rest of the night with Dave and Ted.
