First drum set. Age 3.
Nick was drawn to music because of his family at a very early age. His journey officially began at age 5 with a Christmas gift from his parents (his first real drum set) and lessons starting the following year. Soon after that Nick asked for piano lessons. Mom and Dad quickly obliged because of his success with the drums. Having the early start on training had him reading music and performing with school band and chorus ahead of the normal age. With the help of his 3 early private teachers Jim Carroll, John Miceli and Jules Radino (all named in Dom Famularo’s Teachers List), he became one of the top percussionists in the William Floyd School District. Early influences came from classic acts like The Beatles & Led Zeppelin as well as musical theatre, jazz & funk. But when finally introduced to logical next step, Pink Floyd, the flood gates of Prog opened up which led to his first musical obsession that was Dream Theater.
In 2010, Nick carried his love for sharing music with others to the Music Education program at George Mason University. Though his stay was short and his education was left unfinished, he was not shorted on experience and achievement. The first order of business was becoming a member of the Rho Omicron Chapter of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America. The second, becoming one of the first vocalists for the school's pep band, Doc Nix and the Green Machine. Dream On by Aerosmith was the first song tackled and received well by the GMU Patriots' Fans, who come out for the band as much as the basketball games. However, Nick was lucky enough to lay vocals down on the exceedingly popular viral video of the band playing a Rage Against The Machine medley. As Nick finished his music theory and ear training classes, instruction started to focus on the classroom aspect. He began to feel that maybe his place was not in front of students or on the conductor's podium.
In the summer proceeding Nick's last semester at GMU, he was approached by fellow Floyd percussionist Ryan McCloskey about joining his band. They got together to put together a set of covers for a graduation party with Nick on Vocal and Rhythm Guitar. Upon his return in January 2012 they formed Still Current and played a slew of covers as well as their 'core four' originals. All the while Nick was delving into the world of “Jam Bands” for the first time. After a failed attempt at a full length and some personal differences, Still Current played the June 2013 Blue Claw Crab Festival in Mastic Beach, NY and ended the project. Nick, Ryan and guitarist Mike didn't want to see the original music die so they turned to Frank Mitaritonna at Proline Studios in the Fall of '13 to record the 'core four'. For the sake of a quick process, Nick laid down all the bass tracks and they released "The Storm" EP as A Band In Ship in 2014. The bands line up underwent some final changes in 2016 with bassist James DeNatale and drummer Steve Remp solidifying the sound & direction of the band . Sophomore record “ The Ark” came out August 2019, with their first tour of CNY the following fall. Finding it hard to settle into the “new normal” of A Band In Ship’s post-COVID schedule/plans, Steve decided it was best for him to step away from the group. Nick, Mike & James are taking an indefinite hiatus to map out the bands next voyage. The four played one last show at Pine Barrens Jam, which began as an idea for an ABIS festival and became so much more.
Mint State: JT MacIntosh, Matty D, Nick Balzano, Sean Cashman
Many projects came and went during the time of A Band In Ship, including Mint State where Nick took the role of Lead Guitar for the first time. Still being mainly a drummer his style was simple at the time but they liked what he brought to the table and it felt good for what they wanted. Their only release together was released, on November 29, 2015, with ABIS-shared producer Frank, this time at Vudu Studios with the help of Mr. Mike Watts himself. They played a handful of great shows including Patent Pending’s Christ-mosh and a few opening slots for Badfish - a tribute to Sublime.
In the Spring of 2014 Nick was called upon by Joe Mineo to help him write and record drum parts for his new solo venture over at Silo Recordings. Having had experience in the studio but yet to play drums, Nick was excited to oblige. Joe got Nick to work on his music and at same the time good friend Ronnie Gross wanted to make some demos as well. (These would eventually be revisited and released in 2019 as Ronnie’s debut album. See below) Both songwriters had clear ideas of certain things they wanted the drums to do. Nick was able to follow to a tee what was asked and still invoke his personality in the parts. This would be the beginning of a long relationship with the Silo, returning to record drums & play live with The Belle Curves, Sarah Gross & others. While working with all these projects over the years he’s gained a great respect for the recording process and the art of the song.
Almost simultaneous with Nick’s dive into studio drumming he moved to Patchogue and was immersed into the Open Mic * Jam scene. The Brickhouse Brewery Open Jam, hosted by Kyle Fitz of Funkin’ A, fostered many relationships including JFK & the Assassins, Bryan Gallo & KAIDO. With A Band In Ship on hiatus, Nick has taken on playing drums in Whaley and Ernie & The Band as his main projects; along with frequent outings with Sarah Gross & The Killjoys, The Belle Curves & Pete Mancini.
Outside of playing music he has put together many small events in the past (with companies and venues like Liquid Shadows Entertainment, 89 North & more) and he has always strived to give artists the fair shake and audience they deserve. His newest project, Pine Barrens Jam, hopes to showcase Long Island’s creative talent for years to come.