Local Underground Band Re-Emerges

Controlled Bleeding, an underground rock band founded by Long Islanders over 30 years ago, headlined a show at The Loft in Wantagh this past Saturday in its first area performance in over a decade. 

Farmingdale resident Paul Lemos, a lifelong Long Islander, formed controlled Bleeding in 1978. Controlled Bleeding has tried all genres of music over their 30 albums from rock to metal to alternative. Each album that Controlled Bleeding put out had a different sound to it, making it one of the most versatile underground bands in existence.

During their Wantagh performance, Controlled Bleeding made it clear just how different their music can be. Some songs were calm while others featured a more industrial sound that left listeners with ringing eardrums.

 The Loft is a smaller venue that usual for the group but Lemos said, “This is a great little place. It’s very original and you have to love it.”

Stephen Scarnatto, who wanted his own place where he could play music instead of having to constantly move around to different venues, created The Loft on Locust Avenue, Wantagh in 2007. Scarnatto said he likes having bands that are only starting out but also features veteran musicians like Controlled Bleeding.

Controlled Bleeding has been making a comeback over the past couple of years, playing in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Boston. The performance at the Loft was their first performance on Long Island in over a decade. The current form of the band includes in addition to Lemos, Tony Menola on drums and Lawry Zilmrah on keyboard. Zilmrah is the group’s newest member but judging by his performance with the band he is already fitting in.

The group has just put out a new album, released only a few weeks ago, called Odes to Blubber, with Winged Disk Label. The “blubber” of the title is Joe Papa, a former member of the band who passed away in November 2009. Before his passing he was one of the main members of the band and provided most of the vocals.

At the event, Controlled Bleeding played alongside Wild International, Family Lumber and Kill Your Television. Lemos summed up the night by saying, “It was a great show. All the bands were good. A lot of fun.”