Elan Portnoy
| Elan Portnoy | |
|---|---|
| Genres | 1960s rock and roll |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Labels | Russian Winter Records, Screaming Apple Records |
| Associated acts | The Fuzztones, The Waspmen |
Elan Portnoy is a music producer and a guitarist in three bands: The Headless Horsemen, The Fuzztones and The Waspmen.
Music history
The Headless Horsemen
In the late 80s, Portnoy was a guitarist for The Headless Horsemen, a New York City based 60s Rock-n-Roll group. The band reunited in 2013 and opened for Billy Gobbons'(ZZ Top) band The Moving Sidewalks at BB King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. The Headless Horsemen are currently working on an upcoming LP release on Screaming Apple Records - Germany.
The Waspmen
Formed in 2012, this Kansas City based 60s “garage” band was aimed to bring genuine Rock-n-Roll back into the Kansas City music scene. Specializing in high-energy Rock-n-Roll, The Waspmen are played frequently on the local KKFI Radio station. They draw inspiration from bands like The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Yardbirds. The band is currently working on a full-length album on Russian Winter Records and an area tour.
The Fuzztones
Between 1982 and 1985, Portnoy was the lead guitarist for The Fuzztones.[1] This 80s Garage/Psychedelic band was the first US band in the genre to tour Europe and the UK in 1985. The Fuzztones regularly appeared at The Peppermint Lounge, Irvin Plaza, CGBG's and The Dive. They also appeared at The Elixir Festival in Brittany, France, in 1985 alongside The Clash and Midnight Oil.
The Fuzztones released over a dozen recordings on vinyl and CD in Europe and the US during this era, and they have played on bills with The Bangles, The Lords of the New Church, The Damned, The Cramps and R.E.M.. They have also played on a special Christmas show with Screamin' Jay Hawkins which was released as an LP in the US.
Other appearances
Portnoy has played onstage with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Roy Loney of the Flamin' Groovies, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and The Raiders and Hilton Valentine of The Animals. He has also recorded with The Shadows of Knight, Teisco Del Ray, Herrera and The Handouts, Lone Wolves, Savage Suns and The Roamin’ Numerals.
Producing
Since 1984, Portnoy has produced dozens of records and CDs[2] for bands in New York City such as his bands The Fuzztones and The Headless Horsemen, The Outta Place, The Primeval Unknown, The Bohemian Bedrocks, The Twisted, and The Lone Wolves. Portnoy is currently producing an LP for The Headless Horsemen and a CD for The Waspmen to be released in 2014.