THE GREAT FRAUD

BY LIANNA ALBRIZIO OF FORT LEE SUBURBANITE BERGEN.COM
The idea of a band cultivating an impressive fan base, honing a distinct sound and being in the running for a chance to open for Bruce Springsteen in less than a year's time would sound like a fraud to most. No greater fraud than the Great Fraud themselves, a Jersey-based quartet that frontman Joe Marrero calls the "real deal."

"Do you need a loan?" Bassist Taso Zahariadis asks on a bench at the Community Center on the windy afternoon of April 6.

"If you ever felt short-changed or cheated in any way, shape or form, or if musically, things aren't aesthetic as they used to be… well, we're a real band," Marrero chimed in. "We don't need to put out one song on iTunes, we'd rather you come and listen to us play for two hours."

Live performances like the band's winning gig at the Hard Rock Café Battle of the Bands on Broadway in Manhattan on March 20 is the very essence behind their incendiary shtick responsible for beating out more than 800 local bands in the tri-state area and roughly 20,000 throughout the world for a shot to open for headliner Springsteen on July 14 in Hyde Park in London.

What started out as an inquiry from the band's harmonica player, Phil Karlan — whom the band recruited off Craigslist this past year — to gain exposure, snowballed into advancing in several battle rounds that eventually earned them the opportunity of a lifetime. And for the band, it's now or never.

"When we play a show, no one knows who we are," Zahariadis said. "The minute we start playing, the whole room is on us. The people who walk into the bar stay. The people who are at the bar drink more. The people who are in the bar call people and say, 'come down here.'"

The Great Fraud, an ironic slogan Zahariadis conjured up to parody the disingenuity tied to the commercialization of the entertainment industry, blends elements of '60s soul and blues rock to create an infectious groove that has show-goers pleasantly surprised and on their feet with the first riff.

"Our music is real," Zahariadis added. It affects you. It will make you do the Worm."

Fraud's appeal can be attributed to their preservation of the raw entertainment value in music by returning to the roots of rock n' roll, fusing the fervor of Jim Morrison, the heart of Jimi Hendrix and the ebullience of the Beatles to nail the analogue feel, something the band agrees snatched them the slew of votes from loyal fans. The bands' admiration for rock n' roll greats Elvis, Chuck Berry and the Beatles influenced their fiery, spellbinding sound.

"Sometimes rock n' roll has to be stripped down for what it is," Zahariadis said. "One note, hit it, keep it going, having some feeling and just keep rolling with it." - Bergen.com

Hardyston — The Great Fraud is emerging as one of the most energetic blues/roots rock bands on the scene today. With soulful vocals and dynamic energy, The Great Fraud is at the top of their class in the New Jersey/New York area — and now they’re poised to take on the rest of the world. The band, started just over a year ago, consists of Sussex County’s own Tony Marchesani of Wantage on drums and Reese Karlan of Hardyston playing blues harmonica and slide guitar plus guitarist/singer/songwriter Joe Marrero of Fort Lee and bassist Taso Zaharaidis of Manhattan.
They recently were named the winner of the New York location competition of the Hard Rock Cafe’s “Hard Rock Rising” battle of the bands. Now The Great Fraud will represent the New York location in a battle against the winners of the other 86 Hard Rock Cafe locations battles.
The contest, which started with over 12,000 bands worldwide, is now down to an online voting process to determine the top 10 bands across the globe. These 10 bands will then be put in the hands of a panel of industry-recognized musicians serving as judges. They'll be graded on their originality, musicianship, marketability and vocals. - The Advertiser News

MONDAY APRIL 23, 2012, 7:07 AM
BY LINH TAT
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

FORT LEE - They call themselves the Great Fraud, but there's nothing fake about their passion for making music. BERNADETTE MARCINIAK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Taso Zahariadis, left, and Joe Marerro of the Great Fraud hope to win a gig opening for Bruce Springsteen in London.
This North Jersey group, formed less than a year ago, bills itself as a bluesy rock-and-roll band, influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Muddy Waters. If it gets enough fan votes, the band just may open for Bruce Springsteen in London this summer.

After winning the Hard Rock Rising Global Battle of the Bands for the New York/New Jersey/ Connecticut area - a competition that had the top groups duking it out live at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square last month - the Great Fraud now represents the tri-state area as one of 85 international bands competing for fan votes on Facebook. The top 10 winners from this round, which ends Tuesday, will perform before a panel of musicians and industry leaders for the chance to open for the Boss in London's Hyde Park in July. - The Record

MONDAY APRIL 23, 2012, 7:07 AM
BY LINH TAT
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

FORT LEE - They call themselves the Great Fraud, but there's nothing fake about their passion for making music. BERNADETTE MARCINIAK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Taso Zahariadis, left, and Joe Marerro of the Great Fraud hope to win a gig opening for Bruce Springsteen in London.
This North Jersey group, formed less than a year ago, bills itself as a bluesy rock-and-roll band, influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Muddy Waters. If it gets enough fan votes, the band just may open for Bruce Springsteen in London this summer.

After winning the Hard Rock Rising Global Battle of the Bands for the New York/New Jersey/ Connecticut area - a competition that had the top groups duking it out live at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square last month - the Great Fraud now represents the tri-state area as one of 85 international bands competing for fan votes on Facebook. The top 10 winners from this round, which ends Tuesday, will perform before a panel of musicians and industry leaders for the chance to open for the Boss in London's Hyde Park in July. - The Record