Welcome Aboard!
New York City’s trusty R Train spans from Brooklyn to Queens, and, between these destinations, hits the heart of Manhattan. A trip on the venerated subway line shows the expanse of the Big Apple. A trip with the band that shares its namesake takes you to the center of Rock and beyond. Part of the "New Wave of Classic Rock," The R Train pulls up today with a steady flow of singles, and a powerful story of positivity. All aboard!
The R Train was conceived of while ridding on the subway in Brooklyn, but now has its track layed down in South Florida. This power trio features longtime friends : fleet-fingered guitarist/vocalist Jeffrey Black, deep grooving bassist and multi-instrumentalist Rob Annati, and, the band’s driving force, powerhouse drummer and vocalist Mike Annese.
The three-piece band creates their own Rock mojo inspired by classic artists like Black Sabbath and Grand Funk Railroad, and new artists like Maneskin. In addition, the band has a Queen-like sense of adventurousness, writing diverse songs with a band identity cohesiveness. The R Train tunes feature pounding drums, thick fuzz-dipped guitars, and grinding basslines. The band exudes power, precision, and a groove that evokes the halcyon era of the arena rock days, but with a modern vigor that makes it feel fresh and new. The R Train’s sound is so immediately infectious that music executive producers Brud Van Cott and Albert Trenchie took an instant interest in the band, and remain staunch behind-the-scenes supporters.
Adding to the band’s mystique is that select tracks were mastered at Battery Studios, also known as the legendary “Record Plant” at 321 44th St. “The Plant,” as it is known today, was home to some of the greatest recordings of all time, including sessions with the likes of John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Kiss, and countless other greats. Additional tracks were mastered at Masterdisk NYC by the legendary rock master Scott Hull (Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, and Bob Dylan).
The band’s backstory begins during a transformative moment in 2017. Mike is a Firefighter down in South Florida. He’s also an in-demand motivational speaker and author. During one of his talks, an audience member came up to him and asked him a profound question. “The guy said to me, ‘You mentioned playing music in the book. How come you stopped doing it?,’” Mike recalls. He had been playing drums since the age of nine, performed in bands in Boston & South Florida, and recorded in studios like Master Sound Astoria in Queens & Criteria Studios in Miami. Mike continues: “Talking to that guy made me realize I let go of something I loved—music was my true passion. As soon as the plane touched down, I reached out to Jeffrey, and said we need to start a band.”
Mike and Jeffrey have co-written all of The R Train’s songs. Jeff has gone on to be an established Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has performed on a multitude of instruments for a variety of East Coast bands.
On one of the R Train's recent stops, a Hard Rocker named Rob Annati jumped on board. As a "Can Do-Out of the Box" type of guy, Rob has taken the reins as “Master Of Bass” with The R Train. Rob hails from Brooklyn, New York and "He's Got Game." Equally proficient in playing Bass and Keyboard, Rob is a multi-instrumentalist who is dedicated to being "in the Pocket." He brings to The R Train, a hard driving unique sounding bottom that glues Mike's soulful drums to Jeffrey's wailing guitar and vocals at every station stop.
“When Rob came into the band, we all fell in love with the music,” Mike says. “We had a kickass band, and we had the fire and energy to make music.
The first fateful day of mastering, the guys were taking the R train from Bay Ridge Brooklyn to Manhattan, pinching themselves because they were so excited about the opportunity. They decided to commemorate that day by naming the band The R Train.
The R Train is releasing a catalog of richly diverse songs. All of which have accompanying Official Music Videos. Select highlights include "The Raven," "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place," "Rock On" “Timeline,” “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” “Take A Ride,” and “Flip-Out Zone.”
“The Raven” (inspired by the iconic poem by Edgar Allan Poe) explores how grief can overcome a person's ability to live in the present and engage with society. During the course of the storyline, Edgar is unable to forget his long lost love Lenore and it drives him to despair and madness. Her ghost repeatedly appears to him as a haunting hallucination, and her spirit confronts him in the form of a Raven.
“We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" presents a modern view of The Animals classic. Jeffrey covers the original melody spot on and brings a Hendrix like guitar solo to the mid point. The music is highlighted by Mike with his ripping drum fills. and Rob holds the song together with one of Rock's most iconic Bass Riffs.
"Rock On" has managed to meld the styles of the all time greats into their own new modern Hard Rock sound. An Ozzy like Vocal with Jimmy Page type guitar riffs, driven by John Bonham style drumming; accompanied with a Flea kind of bass line is cleverly blended into a contemporary sound for today by the Power Trio.
The track “Timeline” takes the listener on a rocking existentialist journey. The song is tightly-orchestrated with wise lyrics, melodic lead guitars, and dynamic drums and bass that keep things psychedelic, but also propulsive and purposeful.
The guys turn in a heavy version of the classic “Dear Mr. Fantasy” with punchy drums, majestic organ, and jaw-dropping wah-drenched blues-guitar solos. Their approach really lives up to the phrase “power ballad.”
The revved-up shuffle of “Take A Ride” oozes the feel-good vibes of rock’s heyday when the music was an escape. It’s almost the band’s anthem, imploring you to jump on the party train.
“Flip-Out Zone” roams the land of the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin when mammoth blues-based riffs and thoughtful lyrics were a panacea for life’s ailments. The song sends a stirring message to seize the day and be the person you aspire to be.
When not rocking, the trio of men seek to give back. Mike gives back to the fire service through his support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Jeffrey is a vegetarian and a devoted supporter of the Humane Society of America. Rob volunteers to help the handicapped and disabled and has a deep devotion to animal rights.
It is the perfect time for The R Train’s newly minted new wave of classic rock. A new crop of musicians and fans are discovering the joys of vintage riff-driven rock played with a modern flair. The R Train is in good company alongside Rival Sons, Dirty Honey, and Greta Van Fleet. In closing, Mike lays down the band’s manifesto: “The R Train’s goal is to inspire everyone to get up out of their seats, forget about the everyday stresses of the world, rock your heart out, and dance to the groove of the music.”
