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Rocker not cringing on link to Ray
The Cringe will play Dfest on Friday. Band members include Shawn Pelton (from left), Matt Powers, James Rotondi and John Cusimano, Rachael Ray's husband. Ray "may or may not" make the Dfest show, Cusimano said. Courtesy
By NATALIE MIKLES World Scene Writer
Published: 7/23/2008 2:05 AM
Last Modified: 7/23/2008 2:31 AM
So maybe you've never heard of The Cringe. But did you know that Rachael Ray's husband was in a band?
If you've ever watched "30 Minute Meals" or the "Rachael Ray Show," you've probably heard the Food Network star talk about her husband and his rock band. They're called The Cringe, and they're coming to Tulsa for Dfest.
We talked to John Cusimano about coming to Tulsa and what it's like being called "Rachael Ray's husband." It's a term he's happy with, by the way.
"A lot of my wife's demographic, they're not typical indie rock fans, even though she does have a diverse audience," Cusimano said.
So Cusimano knows some people come just to hear "Rachael Ray's husband," and maybe even to catch a glimpse of her, but many more are there because they've heard good things about this emerging band, named after Cusimano's first band in high school. Yes, when you heard that band, you might have cringed.
Cusimano is well aware that "the Rachael connection" gives him opportunities he might not otherwise have. But given those opportunities, The Cringe is winning over music fans and skeptics as its members tour the country and finish work on their third album.
The Cringe's sound is straight-forward rock, with a philosophy to match. Cusimano insisted that his second album, "Tipping Point," be recorded entirely in analog, and a vinyl version was also released.
While on the road, Cusimano tries to catch local acts and emerging artists. His favorite festival for catching new music
is South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, where The Cringe played two shows this past March. The Cringe was among the performers in Rachael Ray's artist showcase, a sponsored event where she served seven-layer sliders and macaroni and cheese to a packed crowd.
Austin is the closest to Tulsa The Cringe has yet to play, though Cusimano is looking forward to coming to Tulsa.
"Dfest has a really cool bill," he said, "with lots of cool headliners, but I'm really excited to hear the new bands, the bands you may not know today but you'll hear about tomorrow."
Bands like The Cringe.
THE CRINGE
Watch The Cringe play live from 7 to 7:40
p.m. Friday at the Continental, 421 E. First
St., during Dfest. For a complete list of
bands, times and stage locations, go to
tulsaworld.com/dfest.
Natalie Mikles 581-8486
natalie.mikles@tulsaworld.com
By NATALIE MIKLES World Scene Writer
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