GENO & THE ENCORES...WGW records

 

Eugene Geno Viscione first career was as a barber, landing an afterschool job at a shop in Somerville, New Jersey, at the age of 13. His debuted his performance career shortly afterward on the stage of Somerville High School. After graduating, he opened Geno’s Barber Shop in Finderne, New Jersey, and became known for serranading customers between snips. Inspired by a friend who gave him a Spanish guitar, he started writing songs in 1957, and organized a seven-piece band, the Encores, to perform his material  most of the members also are parttime musicians who still earn their livings at other jobs.

Joseph Sovathy, Julie Matthews, William Matthews, Robert Park and Geno.

Lead Guitarist of the Encores is William Matthews, Mrs Julie Matthews, who with her husband teaches at East Brunswick Music Center, also belongs to the band and play Bass. The other member of the band are Joseph Sovathy, Pianist, who works at sears Roebuck, Newark, Robert Park , Drummer, an office worker in Newark, Anthony Polnasek, rhythm guitarist, John Rossi , Saxophonist, a school teacher in Somerset Conty and Frank Fontinell, also a saxophone player and a school teacher.

Frank Fontinell, Anthony Polnasek, William Matthews, Robert Park, Julie Matthews, Joseph Sovathy, John Rossi & Geno.

The Encores, who practice in Keyport two nights each week, have concentrated on rehearsing and recording during their first year. "Loves Encore / Fading Winds" from 1962 will be released by the WGW label, owned and produced by Geno. Geno has written both songs on the Encores' first record, followed by "Love Hidden Island / Gerry Gerry (as Delree & The Encores), A side also wrote by Geno, on their third records Geno has written "Rita My Teenage Bride" and William Matthews the instrumental side  "Midnite Walk". and finally a more rock & roll style was recorded "Stuck-Up" / "Hold-Up"  B side is again an instrumental tis 45's was released under the name Emil Spak & The Encores.

LISTEN...