the sgf tale
simplyGoodfriends and their debut CD were born from a death. On November 27, 2011, lead singer/songwriter Mario's lifetime partner, Y, died from the complications of cancer after a courageous year-and-a-half battle. She died as she lived -- beautifully. Y was a fragile yet strong soul who was always smiling, right up to her last moments. She 
breathed in every second of every day with a lust for life that was marvelous to watch. Before her death, she made Mario promise to do the same.
In the aftermath of her passing, Mario poured himself into writing to deal with the loss. The result was two songs, Shine and Come To Me, Girl. He decided it would be a nice tribute to Y to record them and set about putting the pieces together in August 2012.
The initial recordings featured good friend Vic Savoy playing piano on Shine. When completed, Mario decided that 10 was better than two and that a complete CD was possible. He already had a backlog of material besides the two already recorded. What he needed was a few great musicians to help bring the songs to life.
In previous years he had had the pleasure of jamming and sharing stages with bassist Joe and lead guitarist Steve, who in turn had known each other from previous bands. When he described the project to the two musicians they were all in. The three focused on crafting the production for the remaining songs while thinking about who would fit as a drummer. An invitation to a party put Joe in old friend Mike's company one night. Mike had just resumed his drumming career after a long layoff and Joe noticed the drums in the basement of Mike's house. "You drumming again?" he asked. "Yep," Mike replied. Joe inquired if Mike might be interested in this project his friend was putting together. Mike jumped at the opportunity and after talking with Mario, became the final piece to the SGF puzzle. They set out rehearsing the other eight songs that appear on the CD and began recording in November 2012.
While the beginnings of the band and their debut CD were born from sadness, the result is a versatile band performing songs that defy a specific label. Y would have loved it. SGF hopes you do, too.
breathed in every second of every day with a lust for life that was marvelous to watch. Before her death, she made Mario promise to do the same. In the aftermath of her passing, Mario poured himself into writing to deal with the loss. The result was two songs, Shine and Come To Me, Girl. He decided it would be a nice tribute to Y to record them and set about putting the pieces together in August 2012.
The initial recordings featured good friend Vic Savoy playing piano on Shine. When completed, Mario decided that 10 was better than two and that a complete CD was possible. He already had a backlog of material besides the two already recorded. What he needed was a few great musicians to help bring the songs to life.
In previous years he had had the pleasure of jamming and sharing stages with bassist Joe and lead guitarist Steve, who in turn had known each other from previous bands. When he described the project to the two musicians they were all in. The three focused on crafting the production for the remaining songs while thinking about who would fit as a drummer. An invitation to a party put Joe in old friend Mike's company one night. Mike had just resumed his drumming career after a long layoff and Joe noticed the drums in the basement of Mike's house. "You drumming again?" he asked. "Yep," Mike replied. Joe inquired if Mike might be interested in this project his friend was putting together. Mike jumped at the opportunity and after talking with Mario, became the final piece to the SGF puzzle. They set out rehearsing the other eight songs that appear on the CD and began recording in November 2012.
While the beginnings of the band and their debut CD were born from sadness, the result is a versatile band performing songs that defy a specific label. Y would have loved it. SGF hopes you do, too.