Origins:
In the sweltering summer of '77, the embryonic sounds of what would become the Deans of Discipline were birthed by Andrew Benepe, his younger brother Callum, and their half-brother Maciu Sharff, initially galvanized by the likes of Kiss and Aerosmith. Their musical direction took a sharp pivot towards punk rock, courtesy of an older brother's UK-imported 45's featuring the Sex Pistols and the Stranglers, and a fondness for '50s rock and roll, doo-wop, RnB, and rockabilly—genres that accommodated their three-chord repertoire, influenced by the oldies compilations that surged in popularity following American Graffiti.
When Andrew and Maciu arrived at Music and Art High School, in ‘78 there was an actual Dean of Discipline, personified by a banality-of-evil bureaucrat Mr. Cooney. The band's name was a jest by Maciu influenced by the American Graffiti band and the infamous Leonard Skinner, that found its place as they melded the sounds of the Ramones and the Cramps. Upon Andrew and Callum's return from Scotland with original material and alongside a fluctuating lineup, they carved their niche within New York's vibrant music scene .
Their debut at the High School of Music and Art's talent show paid "tribute" to the actual Dean of Discipline, Mr. Cooney. The band's journey saw them sharing stages with diverse acts across the city and becoming the staple entertainment at a notorious annual Halloween party on Bank Street.
While Callum ventured to replace Harley Flanagan the Stimulators and Maciu became a sought-after bassist, eventually leading to his current project, Wojcicki, the band's legacy endured. Their visual and musical ethos, encapsulated by Flash's penchant for pink spandex and a Fender Explorer, left an indelible mark on their peers and the scene, with tracks like "Dig Ya" and "Road Hog" encapsulating the spirit of their formative years
The Tone Deafs:
By 1982, Andrew and Callum found themselves playing together again in a rockabilly band called Guido and the Tone Deafs and then just the Tone Deafs. After Guido and two other singers left for various reasons, Vincent Metzo became the singer. As the Tone Deafs, they did their first show at a party on Bleaker Street, played an audition night at CBs, and revamped the Deans Halloween house band status.
Rockabilly Ambulance and Member the Mad were originally Tone Deafs’ songs. It’s also during this phase that Andrew/Flash got a Hoffner hollow body and advanced his sound.
When their bass player and founding member of the Tone Deafs quit (we’re still not exactly sure why) Maciu filled in on bass. This reconstituted Flash Cooney and the Deans of Discipline, now with Vincent Metzo as the front man and Andrew back as his alter-ego Flash Cooney.
Callum's friend Nick Marden, whom he had played with in the Stimulators, replaced Maciu and their sound progressed. Callum soon departed and the Fuzztone's drummer, who now plays for Nada Surf, Ira Elliot, took his place.
The CBGBs Years:
Between 1983 and 1986, the Deans refined their stage show by playing every gig they could get (including once a month and Halloween’s at CBs.) This included flash pots, confetti cannons, back-up singers (The Deanettes), and a plethora of props and costumes.
In 1986, Hilly Kristal made a deal with Celluloid Records and signed the Deans to the CBGB Celluloid record label along with Ed Gein's Car, Jing, Blood of the Kid, Ritual Tension, Ludichrist, and others.
The Deans, along with Shirt's guitarist Ronnie Ardito, actively worked on overdubs and mixing the live recording at CBs for many hours between closing and lunch.
Hilly was a tremendous supporter of the Deans, giving them open opportunities for many of the big bands of the time and getting them spots on the CMJ bill to promote their record. Hilly encouraged the Deans to get a second guitar player so Flash could jump around more. Instead of getting an anonymous “tour guitarist” like some current bands do, Flash enlisted Jason Wilkins, formerly of the Sic F*cks to expand the Deans’ sound.
Shelter Studio Demo:
After a brief stint in NY’s SCUM Rock movement and appearing on a compilation record or two, Ira left to pursue other musical avenues, and the Deans auditioned new drummers, settling on Steve Missal, Billy Idol’s White Wedding drummer. Though, Paul Gifford did fill in on a gig or two during this transition.
With Steve and Jason on board, the Deans sound evolved again. You can hear the results on the Shelter Demo. When Steve Missal was about to have a baby, the Deans again auditioned drummers, finding Bill Funcheon, a veteran drummer, recently returned from the west coast.
The Toxic Shock Demo:
As the Deans sound and stage show continued to evolve, they picked up a manager and recorded another demo at Toxic Shock studios. It was also during this time, they appeared on the Uncle Floyd Show on NJ Public Access TV.
Represented by Pretentious Skies Management, the Deans started showcasing at SIR along with their management’s other band, and had a good run at Rock N Roll Church at the Lime Light. As more of the band got pregnant and financial and career pressures mounted, singer Vincent Metzo left the band. Paul Gifford took over as singer and they continued until Flash moved out of the city.
The Resurrection:
It started slowly with a reunion of Music and Art High School bands, a CBGBs reunion show at Bowery Electric, the HOWL concert at Tompkins Square Park, followed by multiple Endless Party shows at the Parkside Lounge. Shout out to Apfel/Krebs/Simone Presents!
In 2024, the Deans are planning to go back into the studio and leverage all the technology that wasn’t available for getting their music out there in the 80s and 90s and are planning a handful of tour dates. Keep checking this page for updates. The circus lives in NY but it may be coming to your town soon.