THE ELECTRIX

“Liner Notes: Ray Kairys (Bass, The Electrix) Long Island Pulse: What makes The Electrix stand out from the other Grateful Dead tribute bands? Ray Kairys: Much like the Dead, we incorporate extended jams where one song flows into the next but we always add unique elements to the mix. I think our fans appreciate the fact that at times, our repertoire goes beyond the basic Grateful Dead template.”

— Johnny Pierre, LONG ISLAND PULSE - Long Island Pulse

“Ray Kairys and Jimmy Fleming have been staples of the Rockaway and Long Island music scenes for decades. Together with their bands, The Electrix and bluegrass outfit Wild Smokin’ Oats, they have opened for and performed with psychedelic luminaries such as New Riders of the Purple Sage, Levon Helm, renowned fiddle player Vassar Clements, and Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, among others. On Sunday, January 31, Wild Smokin’ Oats will take the stage at The Blarney Castle in Breezy Point, joined by T.K. Kearney on guitar and banjo along with some promised “special friends.” Both Kairys and Fleming expressed deep appreciation for the band that has served as both their biggest musical influence and the one that fills most of their setlists, the Grateful Dead. “I started playing right about when the Beatles hit in ’64,” Fleming, the band’s guitarist and mandolinist, said. “Once I got into the Dead, the live music was amazing. That’s what really turned me on to playing.””

— Dylan Watton, Rockaway Times - Rockaway Times

THE ELECTRIX

Canno's Swiss Tavern, Lynbrook, L.I.

It seems like every week of every month, crowds get smaller and smaller in front of live bands. Is the average person less interested in live shows now that we have the net to dive into.
Do we, horror of horrors, have fewer good bands around?
The Electrix of these, could be all, but one thing is for certain...don't draw a line between small crowds and The Electrix.
The Electrix wouldn't know about such things.
With Deadheads needing a space to go to,
The Electrix are in the right place with the right mix as they perform Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers classics {and not-so-classics}, but they were packing buildings BEFORE Jerry Garcia made an unfortunate early exit from this planet.
Here's another bit of data, the veteran rockers that make up The Electrix, guitarists/vocalists Jim Fleming, Rob DePaolo, bassist Ray Kairys and drummers Jeff Naimoli and Mike Nicita with Jeff Pearlman on keyboards, are able to capture the spirit of The Dead's care-free universe and meld it with the firepower of versatile musicians whose open jams into imaginative sonic landscapes that are as enticing as a speed ride through country roads or hang gliding across valleys, you've got something. You've got something that, well, packs a room and paints smiles.
A lengthy first set (who plays for 90 straight minutes in a club anymore?!) had the crowd dancing, whirling and spinning their way to a great evening. Whether the band was dusting off a primo version of "Tennessee Jed" or galloping through an inspired take on "Touch Of Grey," The Electrix were hitting on all cylinders. Constantly shifting gears and keeping the set flowing, whether it be with an Allman's instrumental or a Deadish spin on Marty Robbins' "EI Paso," this amazing line-up operated as one mind.
Naimoli, Nicita and Kairys sounded like a library of rhythms, comfortable and concise on everything. Fleming {who also plays mandolin and fiddle} and DePaolo handled the majority of vocals, switching off and providing variety with quality.
Whether you love the Grateful Dead or not, you really should catch The Electrix. Most non-fans of the Dead would scratch their heads, but believe me, this group is first and foremost a fine musical experience, a flowing sense of fun and one rockin' evening. Next time they come to town, lose the real world for a few hours where a party band meets party people.. .all right, you get the idea.
Now go get Electrixified.
-John Blenn - Good Times Magazine