The Fins surface with launch of second CD

Staff Writer

By nicole c. vaccaro


MARIE ORTIZ  Mel Hood, owner of Jason’s Jazz and Blues Club, Belmar, struts his stuff with The Fins during their concert on Saturday night. The Fins’ trio consists of Angelo Mancuso of East Brunswick, Eric Addeo of Hoboken, and Benny Hi-Fi of Edison. MARIE ORTIZ Mel Hood, owner of Jason’s Jazz and Blues Club, Belmar, struts his stuff with The Fins during their concert on Saturday night. The Fins’ trio consists of Angelo Mancuso of East Brunswick, Eric Addeo of Hoboken, and Benny Hi-Fi of Edison.

EAST BRUNSWICK — Since the Sept. 21 release of their second album, Superstar, music by The Fins has been played by over 300 stations in the United States and Europe.

They perform to nearly sold out crowds four to five times a month, carefully selecting clubs with just the right atmosphere for their music.

"We like to be as selective as possible when it comes to where we play," said Bennie Hi-Fi, The Fins’ founder.

Hi-Fi performed in an Atlanta-based band of the same name back in the early 1980s before hooking up with Angelo Mancuso and Eric Addeo in 1989.


MARIE ORTIZ  The Fins’ bass player, Angelo Mancuso, East Brunswick, ends his 21-hour day on a high note, playing a hit number off the band’s new album Superstar. MARIE ORTIZ The Fins’ bass player, Angelo Mancuso, East Brunswick, ends his 21-hour day on a high note, playing a hit number off the band’s new album Superstar.

"Angelo and I have known each other since we were kids," said Hi-Fi, the band’s lead guitarist.

Today, Mancuso lives in East Brunswick, and owns and operates Edison Millwork and Hardware, a family business.

He has a wife, Randi, and two teen-agers, Angelo and Jessica, whom he said have greatly contributed to his success and happiness.

"I can’t complain about anything. I love the musician’s life and wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my family," he said.

Like Mancuso, Addeo is also happily married and lives in Hoboken, where he works as a full-time booking agent for jazz musicians.

Hi-Fi is currently single and still resides in his hometown of Edison. He is employed by NJ Transit.

Combined, the trio has over 20 years of playing experience; however, Addeo is the only one with a music degree, which he obtained from Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

Last Saturday evening, anxious fans began to arrive at Jason’s Jazz Club, Main Street, Belmar, shortly after 9. The band was to go on at 10.

As core members, Mancuso, Hi-Fi and Addeo arrived for the pre-show setup. The crowd came alive with anticipation.

"Our fans are always so appreciative and really get into what we do," said Mancuso, who plays bass.

"This band just feels good and we really enjoy playing together," added Addeo, the band’s drummer. "We have fun and that is what the audience reacts to."

Besides providing their audiences with a good time, a large part of The Fins’ success may also be attributed to their deep admiration for blues-style music and their unique way of expressing it with a rotating horn section.

Four horn players are incorporated into every show, selected from a list of over 400 Who’s Who in Horns members throughout the New York/New Jersey metro area.

"These guys are the best at what they do," said Mancuso. "And that really helps to energize our music and inspire the crowd."

The band members pride themselves in drawing from many different influences, which they feel is evident in their sound.

"The blues sets the standard for all other types of music, whether it be jazz or today’s pop-rock," said Mancuso. "You can do so much with it and we respect that freedom."

The band’s first award-winning record, Bluesprint, was released in March 1997, and earned them fame and recognition throughout the world, especially in Europe.

"We’ve played many international festivals and have really grown from those experiences," said Addeo, who serves as the band’s booking agent.

Superstar was released last month during a party at B.B. King’s, Manhattan. The album’s title was taken from one of its eight original tracks.

"Our goal is for one of these originals to become a household name," said Mancuso.

"We worked really hard on this album and were involved in every step of its production, including the designing of the CD cover," said Hi-Fi.

"Developing an album that we can be proud of requires the creativity of this entire band and many long hours of collaboration," he said.

The long hours, however, do not seem to bother the blues-loving trio one bit. A typical Friday workday, for example, lasts about 21 hours.

"This is fun and we’ll continue to perform for as long as it stays that way. It’s that simple," said Mancuso. "If you don’t love what you do, what’s the point?"

Hi-Fi and Addeo agreed. "Having fun is what it’s all about. Just ask our fans," they said.

To learn more about The Fins, or to order a copy of either of their two albums, visit www.thefins.com.