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 Blackjack, and, the band’s driving force, powerhouse drummer Mike Annese.
The three-piece band creates their own Rock mojo inspired by classic artists like Black Sabbath, The Police, Grand Funk Railroad, and artists like The Smashing Pumpkins. 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 distortion-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 was a Professional Firefighter who had risin thru the ranks to become a Fire Chief down in South Florida. He’s was 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. Jeffrey has been an established Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who has performed on a multitude of instruments for a variety of East Coast bands, including work with Billy Joel and the late great Rick Derringer.
On one of the R Train's recent stops, Len Leuci a Rocker who goes by the moniker of “Blackjack” jumped on board. With a thunderous presence and a deep-rooted passion for Hard Rock, Blackjack has taken the reins as “Master Of Bass” with The R Train. Blackjack hails from Ithaca, New York and is influenced by iconic bassists such as Geezer Butler and Jack Bruce. Blackjack's playing style combines intricate grooves with powerful riffs. He brings to The R Train, a hard driving unique sounding bottom that glues Mike's soulful drums to Jeffrey's wailing guitar and powerful vocal style at every station stop.
Blackjack's musical journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His tenure as a bassist has seen him share the stage with some of rock music's biggest names, including a notable collaboration with Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe. This experience not only honed his skills but also solidified his reputation as a formidable performer. Additionally Blackjack has opened for renowned acts like Foreigner and Blue Öyster Cult, showcasing his ability to connect with diverse audiences by delivering electrifying performances.
“When Blackjack came into the band, he fell in love with the music,” Mike says. “now we have a kickass band, and we have the fire and energy to roll forward.
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 Blackjack 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 devoted supporter of the Humane Society of America. Blackjack volunteers to help the handicapped and disabled.
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.”
