Art Lamonica/aka/ Rome56
Arthur Lamonica grew up in a tenement in Brooklyn.
His bedroom was right above the jukebox in the Ritz Bar.
Each night he would fall asleep to the echoes of Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Drifters and The Moonglows.
At age twelve, his mother gave him a $25 Spanish guitar.
He remembers spending hours slaving over the chords to "Gloria" in the front parlor.
A founding member of the well-loved CBGB's favorites THE SHIRTS.
They toured Europe and America and had 2 top ten singles in Europe penned by Lamonica.
Years later Lamonica formed his own group, JING, and made one album and a music video called "World Gone Mad" which aired on MTV.
In the early 90's, he joined underground supergroup FLOWERSDICE -- they released one CD and played one legendary gig in Jersey City.
Now in ROME 56, Arthur Lamonica has come forward with his latest effort, Sacred Avenue.
The haunting melodic hooks of his clever pop and folk-rock holds its own with the Electro-acoustic rock on the college radio charts.
His gigs at such popular Manhattan venues as CBGB'S and The Cutting Room not only attract his loyal fan base, but continue to turn on an enthusiastic new cross-section of music fans.
Sacred Avenue, the debut album by his group, ROME 56, captures the eclecticism of his live shows with affecting, hook-filled songs like "She's Going Down" and "The Stranger Inside." The Philladelphia Enquirer says: "...His gutsy, unapologetic songwriting and uncluttered presentation make this a treasure.
The songs are succinct and telegrahic, rippling with small, barbed details that are easy to miss if you're not paying attention.
Lamonica is a master puller of the pop music ripchord."