Artist description Music is melodic, very catchy lyrics, they really grab you and hold on tight...

Music Style Roots Rock

Musical Influences Various

Similar Artists Matchbox 20, Tonic, Paul Westerberg, ...

Artist History Look out now, these guys are back. Yet another bass player in the band (6th to date) The Engine on the shelf for almost 2 years. Each of them venturing off to different things. But these guys mean business. They have come back with an attitude. Still based out of Red bank N.J, playing together since 1997, a mix of the cream of the crop from previously formed projects

Group Members Jim Raia, Sal DiBenardo, Rich Hodder, Shawn Ploe, Adam Graf

Instruments Guitars, Bass, Drums, Hammond organ

Albums Louisiana Rain

Press Reviews Shore World by Chris Barry Straight From the Atlanticville Paper dated Sept. 16th thru Sept.22 1999: Catch the SKYBOLT rising when they rock the top of the final fest of ASBURY POP, next Sunday September 26 at Hooligans in Long Branch“And if your yearning for some new Pop Wrenchings, book a flight on Skybolt Engine!”“Everyone’s yakkin’ about the next New Pop Sensation, and one fantailed front-runner among Jersey Shore Pop n’ Rocker fans is the throb n’ thrum of Skybolt Engine, hot on the hooks of their first EP release Louisiana Rain .. This Red Bank -stationed engine is driven by Sal Dibenardo, lead vocals; Jim Raia. guitars and organ; Shawn Ploe, lead guitar, and Rich Hodder on drums (with former skybolter Johnna White playing bass on several tracks on this 5 song CD).”“ The project was produced by John Noll at his Retromedia Studios and sports that clean , no-nonsense edge that many associate with his crisp production style, The first cut “So Clearly” is a neatly hooked popish songpoem about reading the truth in a lover’s piercing eyes, with melodic-sharp guitar breaks from Ploe and outright radio single potential. The title cut is regret-tinged atmospheric ballad in a upbeat mode, well-carried by Dibernado’s vocal.”“ “ The Illusionist” rumbles with no delusion, in a no-nonsense hard pop warning about a guy who’d dazzle ni’ snazzle you while gobbling down your soul, with the gently tense bass work from Ms. White threading it all up. The Following “Earth Song” becomes a bluesy-riffed semi-orchestral anthem celebrating, what else, life not losing touch with Mother Nature, natch. The toon boasts strong Dynamics; a few stanzas may need to dry out a tad stand back from there own bombast but overall these guys fly their music like a well-toned machine that’s just getting acquainted with its own creaks and yowls”Skybolt Engine, Louisiana Rain (© 1998 Skybolt Engine) Skybolt Engine's Sal DiBenardo has one of those charmingly raspy voices that hook you within seconds of your first listen. The band plays melodic pop rock in the vein of John Mellancamp, Matchbox 20 or maybe even Paul Westerberg, if you stretch things a bit. Louisiana Rain is definitely a good showing from this New Jersey-based quintet, although the guitar could be a tad tougher in my humble estimation. In addition to DiBenardo, the band comprises Rich Hodder (drums), Shawn Poe (guitar), Jim Raia (guitar) and Brian Scorben (bass). http://www.nyrock.com/streetbeat/0399.htm I was lucky to be able to catch these guys last Friday night. Right off the bat, I was impressed that they had a female bassist (being a bassist myself). Their songs were bluesy rock, more leaning to the rock side. I would certainly compare them musically to the Black Crows and vocally, the singer had the styling's of Tonic, Matchbox 20 or Candlebox. On two songs the female bassist and the singer paired up vocally emoting a late 70's feel. The crowd seemed to be enthusiastic and digging the music, which for this particular bar, is saying a lot since most of the time people seem to be glued to the floor! These guys are great for an easy night of chilling out and enjoying some cool tunes. http://www.njrocks.com/lf/

Location Red Bank, N.J - USA

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