“The Good Wheel,” the brand-new album by Steve Leonard, is now available across all popular digital music stores and streaming platforms. The album showcases Leonard’s unique blend of rock and reflective songwriting, with musical contributions from notable musicians, including Eric Slick (Dr. Dog) on drums, Dave Dreiwitz (Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead) on bass, John Skehan (Railroad Earth) on mandolin, and more.
“The Good Wheel” features 12 new original songs, including crowd favorites Be Like Alfonso and On Our Way Home. Drawing inspiration from John Denver to Frank Zappa, Leonard’s music flows with instinctive rock desires, balanced by reflective songwriting tendencies and an impulsive need to catch a groove. The album cover features stunning hand-drawn psychedelic artwork by artist Josh Levy (Asheville Art Family), bringing Leonard’s vision to life.
To find “The Good Wheel” on more platforms, visit https://snd.click/8uq3 and browse the links below.
In addition to the album release, Leonard has also released a video for the song “Trains are Runnin’” on YouTube, featuring collaborations with Eric Slick (Dr. Dog), Dave Dreiwitz (Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead), and John Skehan (Railroad Earth). The unique track combines rock and bluegrass elements in a charged number that highlights Leonard’s versatility as a musician.
Steve Leonard, the renowned guitarist for the popular Queen tribute band Almost Queen, has released his brand-new album “The Good Wheel” featuring 12 original songs, now available on popular digital music stores and streaming platforms.
“The Good Wheel” showcases Leonard’s unique blend of rock and reflective songwriting, with musical contributions from notable musicians including Eric Slick (Dr. Dog) on drums, Dave Dreiwitz (Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead) on bass, John Skehan (Railroad Earth) on mandolin, and more. The album cover features stunning hand-drawn psychedelic artwork by artist Josh Levy (Asheville Art Family), bringing Leonard’s vision to life.
Leonard, who has been touring and opening for Almost Queen at renowned venues such as The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY and Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ, has been playing guitar and writing songs since his early days attending rock concerts in New Jersey. Drawing inspiration from John Denver to Frank Zappa, Leonard’s music flows with instinctive rock desires, balanced by reflective songwriting tendencies and an impulsive need to catch a groove.
In addition to the album release, Leonard has also released a video for the song “Trains are Runnin'” on YouTube, featuring collaborations with Eric Slick (Dr. Dog), Dave Dreiwitz (Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead), and John Skehan (Railroad Earth). The unique track combines rock and bluegrass elements in a charged number that highlights Leonard’s versatility as a musician.
About Steve Leonard: Steve Leonard is a guitarist, songwriter, and performer known for his work as the guitarist of Almost Queen, a popular Queen tribute band. With his unique blend of rock and reflective songwriting, Leonard has gained a reputation as a versatile and talented musician. His new album, “The Good Wheel,” showcases his musical prowess and features collaborations with notable musicians. For more information, visit https://steveleonard.net.
Announcing “The Good Wheel,” a brand new album by Steve Leonard! Steve’s third studio album, consisting of 12 new original songs, “The Good Wheel” rolls onto popular digital music stores and streaming services on March 24. Stay tuned for more info on the release at steveleonard.net and on social media platforms.
“This is like if Metallica went to Epcot and played Morocco” -Bob Wischusen about the track Whiff
“Steve Leonard embraces his psychedelic hard rock desires on his new album SYZYGY. The self produced follow up to the 2018 album Break The Code, SYZYGY changes course to take you on a kaleidosonic journey laced with heavy rhythms, rock attitude, and unabashed shredding. From the catchy hooks of Flow and Patron Saint of Irony, to the reflective aura of Whiff and You’re a Star, SYZYGY defies expectation and oozes with fervor.” -Artie Fufkin • Polymer Records
All songs written and performed by Steve Leonard Recorded, mixed and mastered by Steve Leonard
Released October 30, 2020
Steve Leonard – Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Keyboards, Programming Don Frio – Organ on The Building Across The Way Joe Vernazza – Drums on Patron Saint Of Irony JP Garwood – Lyrics on Blow It Out, Patron Saint Of Irony, and What Can You Do?
Salt water and stale bread Salt water and stale bread Salt water and stale bread Salt water and stale bread
The rumor on the web is the Internet is dead I consulted my smartphone, this is what it said The pixels on the screen are feedin’ your head like Salt water and stale bread
Salt water and stale bread Salt water and stale bread Salt water and stale bread Salt water and stale bread
A future lies before you, culminating once and for all but as you approach it, it curves into nothing at all
“This is like if Metallica went to Epcot and played Morocco” -Bob Wischusen
I’ve been working on some new music during the great quarantine of 2020. Some of the songs are brand new, and some have been in the works for a while. The song ‘Whiff’ was written back in 2018, after a 10 hour round trip excursion to Watkins Glen, NY for Phish’s Curveball festival. We arrived to the festival site and as soon as we finished setting up, it was announced on the radio the festival was cancelled due to water contamination from local flooding. We looked forward to this festival for months, and planned out all we would need for our time there. It was gonna rock, but alas, it didn’t happen.
Lethargic from the long round trip home, and disappointed our plans did not turn out as we thought, I started playing around with my old Yamaha SY55 synth, and came up with ‘Whiff’. Lyricizing about what had just happened, within a dark musical vibe, the song came together quickly. It felt good that something came out of the failed excursion, and the sentiment has echoed during the past 6 months, with so many things planned and looked forward to, but didn’t happen.
Though the festival was cancelled, a new song was reeled in. Like that day, though so many of my shows were cancelled, and so many celebrations and plans for this year didn’t happen, something else happens. It’s certainly a huge bummer, I was so psyched for what was supposed to happen this year, and though it’s hard, it’s up to us to make something of our change in course, no matter the significance or impact.
I used some of the unplanned time off to finish a bunch of songs and recordings, and learn how to have more fun with some A/V software. As a result, I’m finishing up a new album of original music and made this video for the track ‘Whiff’. You can tell I love the infinite video feedback effect (aka that infinity thing that happens when you point a camera at a screen projecting the camera’s output), and had a blast playing around with the Star Wars-like hologram effect. Hope you enjoy watching, I’ll be sharing more music and video from the new album soon.
Last year D.D. Verni, bassist and founding member of fabled thrash metal band Overkill, released a solo album Barricade that featured many guest guitarists. Growing up in NJ, Overkill was a mainstay on my favorite radio station at the time, 89.5 FM WSOU, New Jersey’s hardest rock! Their albums from the ’80s were among my earliest CD purchases. Overkill was up there with The Big 4 in terms of heavy metal prowess, and that was what it was all about for me around the time I first started playing guitar.
Fast forward some decades, after meeting a friend of his after an Almost Queen show in Westbury, NY, D.D. contacted me about recording a Queen-esque guitar solo on the track We Were Young for the solo album he was working on. I jumped at the chance to collaborate with someone influential to my musical upbringing and did my best with my BMG Red Special replica to evoke a solo reminiscent of the good Doctor Brian May. I like how it came out and am glad D.D. asked me to contribute. Overkill’s influence still resonates around the world, as one of my current favorite bands, from Australia, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard cites drawing from Overkill as a source for their new thrash album, Infest The Rats’ Nest.
All Songs Written, Recorded and Mixed By Steve Leonard
Recorded At Omnijam Studio, Linden, NJ And The Hole, Oakland, NJ
Mastered By Ed Brooks, Resonant Mastering, Seattle, WA
Steve Leonard – Guitars, Lead Vocals, Bass, Percussion, Synth, Programming
Don Frio – Piano, Organ, Vocals
Michael Parillo – Drums
Joe Vernazza – Drums
Steve Leroy – Bass
Paul Kates – Piano, Vocals
Lizzy Kates – Violin, Vocals
Steve Graham – Whistle, Vocals
JP Garwood – Lyrics 1,6