Atkins Riot
Syracuse, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2017 | SELF
Music
Press
Sunday night the skies cleared just in time for local rockers Atkins Riot to tear up Papermill Island before The Marcus King Band. The sound and stage crew had everything ready in no time showing their level of professionalism. The sun set over the river as crowds poured in. Anthony Saturno, Rob Zaccaria and Sam Roux of Atkins Riot were thrilled to be opening for heavy hitting Marcus King. They performed an energetic solid set of originals. The crowd was immediately engaged. Check out their newest album, Too Much Whisky, just released. They play Chevy Court August 31. - CNY Alive
More than any other State Fair in recent memory, the 2019 exposition presents a good variety of regional rock’n’roll bands at Chevy Court.
Last week, fairgoers heard from songwriter Mike Powell & Black River on opening day, from CNY Songbirds – Donna Colton, Maureen Henessy and Johanna Jewett – on Aug. 23, and from Syracuse R&B powerhouse Brownskin featuring special guest Joe Driscoll on Aug. 24.
This coming weekend, a power trio called Atkins Riot will take the Chevy Court stage at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.
Atkins Riot relies on the galvanizing guitar work of leader Anthony Saturno, well supported by bassist Samuel Roux and drummer Rob Zaccaria. Earlier this year, the talented trio took home a Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Rock Recording. Atkins Riot also won first place in the 2019 Westcott Theater ‘Big Break’ Battle of the Bands.
The band’s award-winning self-titled disc includes tracks such as the riff-driven “Dirty Doves,” the funk-rock fusion of “Can’t You Feel It” and the softer, serious “Understand,” which reflects the band’s support for Rock For Recovery, a non-profit organization which tends to those struggling with addiction.
On the other hand, “I Wanna Iguana” is a catchy, comical anthem to personal freedom spiced by Latin rhythms.
“In an age where serious rock bands seem to be sorely missing, Atkins Riot delivers the kind of music that satisfies listeners looking for a great headbanging hook,” wrote the now-defunct Syracuse New Times.
The band makes its debut appearance at the Great New York State Fair’s Chevrolet Music Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. Concerts at Chevy Court are sponsored by Chevrolet and are free with fair admission; nysfair.ny.gov; 315-487-7711. - Eagle News
Atkins Riot. Atkins Riot (independent)
In an age where serious rock bands seem to be sorely missing, Atkins Riot delivers the kind of music that satisfies listeners looking for a great headbanging hook. Touching on tastes of sounds spanning Jack White to Metallica, Atkins Riot tows the line effortlessly between heavy rock and pop sensibilities.
“Dirty Doves” is a standout with riffs that stick to your ears and clever lyrics that will make you back up the track. Songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Anthony Saturno sings, “My fingers are bleeding/ but I’m not over yet/ ya broken and beaten/ when nobody gives a shit/ so I crawl on my knees then/ ‘cause I can’t seem to get a grip/ yeah, she says that she needs me / she’s reaching for my hand.”
“Can’t You Feel It” has a groove fueled by drummer Rob Zaccaria and bassist Billy Harrison that mixes funk and rock and builds to breakdown explosions that are addicting. “Understand” provides a softer side without sacrificing the power of previous tracks; Saturno’s tight harmonies draw listeners into the song’s message.
Coming out of left field, “I Wanna Iguana” somehow takes an absurd concept and makes it an anthem that somehow all comes together: “I wanna iguana, baby/ why does that seem so crazy/ I’m just hangin’ in the Keys/ actin’ so lazy/ I wanna iguana, baby/ and some marijuana, maybe.” It’s a rare talent to sing about something crazy and make it likable in a serious way. Taking a note out of the Tenacious D playbook, this song isn’t a couple chords and a ridiculous rant, but a challenge musically and an earworm for listeners. It’s hard not to move to this song, especially when the Latin licks and memorable, if hilarious, lyrics hit you.
Recorded and mixed primarily at Crash Test Studios by Saturno and Jeremy Johnston (and mastered by Johnston), this disc is a demonstration of multifaceted talent. Saturno wrote the songs, sang, played guitar and engineered much of the disc, and he didn’t skimp on effects and layering. To hear effectively as both a musician and producer is a difficult task, but this album proves it’s all there.
This is a band on the rise, and filling a void that’s been aching to be filled. Original rock is here, and it’s got a thing for iguanas. To learn more, visit atkinsriot.com. - Syracuse New Times
More than 500 people turned out to The Westcott Theater on April 20 for Mark Rebillet’s show. I’m sure his killer bops were the main draw, but temperatures in the 70s – even at 8 p.m. when music started – and a primetime slot on a weekend surely must have helped that number.
Rarely do those three best-case circumstances occur simultaneously outside the months of June through August. Rebillet executed an impressive show that lived up to the hype created by the near perfect conditions on April 20.
His local support from Atkins Riot delivered a great show as well. Fresh off winning a 2019 SAMMY for Best Rock Group in Syracuse, the band got nearly a full hour of stage time in front of about 400 people. The three-piece commanded Dan Auerbach energy with originals and covers of Jack White and Gary Clark Jr. songs.
Wes Johnson, box office manager and venue director, said this was one of the biggest shows a local band has had at the Westcott. He said their audience was larger than what some national acts have gotten. - Syracuse.com
2019 Outstanding Achievement In Songwriting in the Rock/Alt category - Great American Song Contest
Discography
2018 - Atkins Riot EP
2019 - Too Much Whisky
2020 - Staggered Ladders (Single)
Photos
Bio
"In an age where serious rock bands seem to be sorely missing, Atkins Riot delivers the kind of music that satisfies listeners looking for a great headbanging hook." -Syracuse New Times
Atkins Riot is one of the leading rock groups in Central New York. It is shown through their:
-2019 SAMMY Award for Best Rock Recording
-2019 Westcott Theater Battle of the Bands.
-Gaining a larger following with shows at The Baldwinsville Budwiser Amphitheater opening for The Marcus King Band, Performing at The New York State Fair Chevy Court Stage with record attendance of just over 147,000 people and Opening for Marc Rebillet, The Soul Rebels and SIMO at The Westcott Theater .
Atkins Riot plays as a power trio, fronted by vocalist and guitar player, Anthony Saturno. Anthony is the primary writer for the band and has personally played in almost every band in the Syracuse area, playing 100-200 shows a year. He has toured out to Los Angeles and back, down to Key West and back and has road worthy experience that has molded his professionalism as business person and musician.
With a 3rd album on the way, Atkins Riot never fails to bring high energy to the stage that engages their audience. They bring catchy riffs that get the crowd moving, along with their more emotional songs that really captivate.
They have worked with charitable causes such as Rock For Recovery, a non-profit organization who tends to those struggling with addiction and helping them get on the right path.
Band Members
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