The Neurotics- 5 Questions

WHO: The Neurotics
Local rockstars!!!! Not many places in the nabe for a "wired" set up for these guys so many of you may not have gotten a chance to see them perform yet. I was lucky enough to be entertained by the them last year at Hellgate Social where they found many a new fan.

Here's what the guys had to say:

C: I am Charles and I play the guitar and sing. I am responsible for my mental health and mine alone.
M: Michael – play bass and sing background vocals in Nuerotics
J: I'm Jim and I play drums for the Nuerotics.

Question #1 Were you born here? If not, where were you born, and what brought you to Astoria?
C: I was born in Flushing. I moved here in November of 1999 after a telephone call from my drummer Jim, who I've known for many years. We started out by playing in a group with my sister. I was living in the burbs of LI, and he told me about an apartment available in his building in Astoria, so I jumped on it. I thought it would be great to live in NYC and be close to a good friend. I've been living here ever since.
M: Nope. Born in Syosset, NY – grew up in Dix Hills – live in Forest Hills. Playing in Nuerotics brought me.
J: I was born in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. I moved to Astoria in 1992 when I got a job as a NYC high school biology teacher. I live in the building that my grandparents bought in 1940, which my mom's family still owns.

Question #2 What is your favorite thing about living in Astoria?
C: The ethnic diversity of Astoria intrigues me. I enjoy hearing the various foreign languages and talking to locals. Of course I love food and drink and there always seem to be a new place to experience.
M: n/a
J: I like being able to walk or bike to everything. I like the feeling of being part of a community when I walk down the block greeting my neighbors. Some of them remember my aunts and uncles as little kids. I like the old folks who look out the window or sit on the stoop in nice weather. They look out for the block. They won't stop anyone's apartment from being robbed, but they'll tell you what the guy was carrying on the way out, and marvel at the fact that someone could run with a television down the street so fast.

Question #3 What is your number one go to restaurant in Astoria?
C: I really enjoy eating at Wave Thai. The staff is really friendly. I am still waiting for a great place here to really enjoy Japanese food, as it is in my top two favorite types of cuisine. I must also mention L'Incontro (Italian) and a shout out to Euros (Spanish).
M: Fatty's – love their burritos
J: My go to restaurant would have to be the souvlaki lady on the corner of 33rd and Ditmars. I stop off on my bike coming back from work and get a tasty stick of meat for $2.25. After rehearsal I like to go to Sparrow for a beer, and get the grilled cheese with speck. For a special treat, I really like Bistro 33. Chef Gary is a culinary alchemist and does wonderful things with tuna, lobster and foie gras. I recently had his take on macaroni and cheese, which had lobster and truffles. Yum.

Question #4 Best kept local secret that you don't mind sharing?
C: Support Mimi's Closet! It's great little clothing boutique on 31st street near the corner of 21st Avenue. The clothes and accessories are custom designed and very stylish. I purchased a tie there with various colored stripes and I've worn it to gigs. It screamed 'Nueroticize me!' - I had to buy it.
M: The Nuerotics are the best kept local secret :)
J: The Steinway Piano company factory tour. I don't know how many people know that Steinway pianos are made in right here in Astoria. There's a rich heritage of Steinway in Astoria and it's cool that the factory is just a few blocks from where I live. I've been on the tour twice. I love how this instrument is still handmade by many craftsmen working on the many different steps. I can't think of anything manufactured today that is as complex and handcrafted with such attention to detail. There's also the landmarked Steinway Mansion, which is a few blocks away and is for sale. I was just speaking to my Uncle's friend who remembers Henry Steinway driving around the neighborhood in his pickup truck. He wasn't pretentious, very personable, and was into old cars.

Question #5 What would you like see happen in/for Astoria in 2008?
C: More great places like Oleput and Fatty's would be nice but even more importantly, some places for bands like us with amps, drums and electric twangers to play! Please, let's put Astoria on the rock 'n' roll map!
M: I wouldn't mind seeing a bookstore in Astoria – independently owned or even a Barnes and Noble. Or possibly … a record shoppe.
J: I'd like to see a queens greenway built along the waterfront for pedestrians and bikes, people drive more slowly, smaller cars replace SUV's, and the Steinway Mansion turned into a museum with a recording studio and spa.


Get your Neurotic time in at the Trash Bar on Sunday March 16th, 9pm
. Yeah it's in Williamsburg- but go and support the guys so we can get them to come play over here more! There's a $6 cover, I'll call it an investment in the Astoria music revolution...

Trash Bar

256 Grand St.
(between Driggs & Roebling)

Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY 11211
718.599.1000


photo by Masako Kondo