Tony Mecca
A troubadour that rocks - really!
Philadelphia singer/songwriter Tony Mecca serves wisdom from deep in the inner city via a delicious storytelling based blueprint that inventively merges elements of Pop, Roots, Americana, Folk and plain old Rock 'n Roll. He calls it "Urban American Heavy Mental" or just "Urban Americana". In the grand tradition of elite wordsmiths like Dylan, John Prine and Ray Davies (The Kinks), Mecca fuses equal amounts of humor and sympathy to thoughtfully examine everyday people dealing with ordinary and surreal life circumstances. However, his musically eclectic approach, robust delivery and a gritty Philly twist produce results that are quite different from that of his esteemed forerunners.
Meet “Annie Helicopter", "Plain Jane & Average Joe", "Billy the Bully" and a host of other characters and friends from Mecca's sumptuously eccentric neighborhood that laugh, cry, love and cavort on the mean streets and avenues of his beautiful Urban American landscape. As anyone more than a little familiar with Tony Mecca’s music will tell you, his infectious raspy voice and hook laden melodies may initially confiscate most of your attention, but it is his sage commentary on the beauty and failings of the "human drill" that will eventually permeate your head, heart and soul.
So that's my Tony Mecca Bio-Article. What do you think?
I’m flattered and a little embarrassed.
What can you tell us about yourself?
I was born and still live in Philadelphia. I’m past my 50th birthday, married and have five kids and six dogs (currently). I own the Opera House Recording Studio. I miss Frank Zappa terribly.
You’re a pretty old dude.
No shit!
What style of music do you play?
Urban American Heavy MeNtal
What’s that?
Story-based Rock Music slightly altered by elements of Root, Pop and Folk
I’ve also heard my music called “Singer/Songwriter Rock” and “Americana (from a city boy)”
Who do people say you sound like?
In reviews I’ve gotten comparisons to Springsteen, Mellencamp, Elvis Costello, Smash Mouth, John Prine, Billy Joel and Leonard Cohen among others. In a recent email poll through our web site here’s what our friends and fans said:
- The bastard son of Huey Lewis and Joni Mitchell
- The Who fronted by John Prine
- Bob Dylan with sack and a sense of humor”
Where have you been and where are you going?
I’ve recorded three CD’s - Purple Monkeys (2003) / Princes of the New Dark Age (2005) / Hello, Goodbye & Everything in Between (2007) - and I’m back out playing the bars – Over the past year I’ve signed many of my songs with various publishing companies throughout the country. While I’m not disappointed by being called "a local Philly artist", I do live in hope that my songs will someday reach a larger audience through my efforts, or via a higher profile recording artists. They keep telling me we’re getting close!
Tony Mecca
P.O. Box 11902
Philadelphia, PA 19145
267-242-9276
TonyMecca@TonyMeccaMusic.com
www.TonyMeccaMusic.com
After playing along side the likes of Cinderella, Britney Fox, The A’s, Robert Hazzard/Heroes, The Hooters and a host of many other wonderful bands on the fertile 1980’s Philadelphia/South Jersey rock scene with his bands HABITS and MECCA, Tony had devoted all of the 1990’s to operating his rehearsal studio - THE OPERA HOUSE - while organizing its eventual resurrection as one of Philadelphia's premier recording facilities. He would go on to become an instrumental force on the Philly music scene as a manager, arranger and producer for several popular area bands including WARNER BROTHERS recording artists TIDEWATER GRAIN before returning to his first love, songwriting.
"Moving forward with new album projects and live performances, it is very important for our friends and fans to know that while we consider ourselves very fortunate for having the opportunity to do something we truly love, it means very little unless it makes someone laugh, cry, think and maybe even change a little. Please let us know that you're out there, and thank you so much for your support - We can't wait to see you!" For a cronological account of this continuing saga, please visit our 
Steph is a graduate of Widener University, where she received a BA in Creative Writing. Her experiences growing up in South Philly have inspired her to pursue a collection of nonfiction essays - 
A lifelong student of the guitar who has studied with several of the worlds most renowned and accomplished virtuosos in the legendary Pat Martino and east coast teaching guru Frank DiBussolo, Philadelphia native Joe Petitt has primarily operated in the more experimental realms of space fusion and improvisational jazz. His work with the often amazing Philly area soundscape-fusion trio RUBBER FOLK MUSIC is breathtaking - conjuring the spirit of his many influences which include Allen Holdsworth. A high caliber person guided by deep moral and spiritual beliefs, Joe's is best known for his compassionate disposition. His biggest complaint thus far? “When shirtless, barefoot drunks show-up at our live shows not knowing the lyrics.”
John grew up just outside of Philadelphia in Bensalem, PA. He began his relationship with the piano at just seven years old, and has continued his passion and quest to navigate the 88's for the balance of his 26 years. Moving to South Philadelphia in 2001, John has participated in various bands and other music projects. In addition to playing with us, he currently teaches piano - please visit his site at:
If you took the time to listen to all the gigs Jim Drnec has played back to back, you'd have one hell of a headache. Jim's been playing drums since bell bottoms were fashionable the first time (at least he's persistent). He's played with Hyde Your Daughters, Habits, Cinderella and Network to mention just a few. He's tapped every style of music from classical to prog to death metal and everything in between, and even backed up a comic division down Broad Street on New Year's day back in '76 (persistent and old). And according to Jim, "I'll need to draw on all of those influences to color the diverse auditory program that Tony Mecca offers his listeners." Jim is married to his lovely wife Tracee, who is truly his better half. By far. It's not even close.
The newest member of our combo, bassist Bill Saltzer, brings with him many years of experience in performing live and in the studio. Bill plays bass, guitar and keyboards. He also sings, writes, records and produces his own and others material. He has toured with acts such as Surrender Dorothy, The Pictures, A Month of Sundays and too many more for his really old brain to remember. He has played every genre of music and with everyone from the original members of Tangier and Cinderella. Well, let's just say everyone from the old Galaxy days. Bill says he sometime forgets which band he's in or what year it is when he's onstage each night. But he does know that the thing he loves most about playing with Tony Mecca, in addition to the quality material, is that playing music is FUN again.”
