The Fitovers

Overview
The Fitovers are an indie rock band from Rochester, New York. Formed in 2007, The band is known for its unique sound, fusing alternative rock and funk together into a brand new sound. The band is currently composed of Rey DeGuzman, Mike Miller, Rick Markowitz, Mark Silberg, and Tim Tribone. They all currently reside in Rochester, New York.
The Harry Kaczka Period
The Fitovers began in late 2007 as a project between pianist Rick Markowitz and guitarist/vocalist Harry Kaczka. The two would go over to Rick's house a couple of times a month and write songs. After writing two to three songs, Harry approached friend Tim Tribone about playing with them on drums. The band practice moved to Tim's house, and the band informally began. As they began song-writing as a trio, they went through many names, including Hello Audio and Elephant Tracks. As the music evolved, it soon became apparent that the trio needed a bass player. Auditions were held, but no one was found. It seemed that the band would never have a permanent bass player.
In early 2008, Tim invited his good friend Mike Miller, (son of hair mogul Scott Miller) over to his house to jam with the band. Mike was known in the area as a renowned guitarist, playing in a hard rock style with influences such as Zakk Wylde and Kirk Hammett. When he arrived, a feud emerged between guitarist Harry Kaczka and Mike, involving Kaczka's ex girlfriend. It became apparent that Harry and Mike would not be able to perform in the same group together. The two went their ways, and it became that Elephant Tracks might never find it's full line up.
Inspired by Miller's incredible guitar talent, Tim and Rick began finding themselves playing music with Mike more and more, and at the same time jamming with Harry less and less. Slowly this new group began writing their own songs for fun. One day in the middle of winter, the three were playing music at Mikes house when they came up a cool new progression. With Rick on vocals and piano, Tim on drums and Mike on bass guitar, the three wrote their first song, Fitovers, named after the goofy sunglasses Rick was wearing at the time. The three recorded the song with Mike's Tascam Recorder, and The Fitovers were born.
The Big Four
Quickly the three began writing and recording rough versions of songs. Within a month or so, the three had written four original songs. These songs included Fitovers (an inspirational jam), Reptar (a rock ballad), Mama Says (a funky riff tune) and Cavern (a groovey rock tune). The three realized that it was time to take the songs to the studio, so they asked local producer Andy Calabrese to help record their songs at his local studio. The three recorded the songs (with Mike doubling on both Bass and Electric Guitar). The songs were released on myspace in March of 2008.
With four demoes recorded, the band decided it was time to find a permanent bass player. The band immediately chose Mike's schoolmate Rolf Lehman. The trio became a quadruplet, and they began preparing for a local band showcase at The Montage Music Hall, in Rochester New York. The show had a good reception, and excitement began buzzing about the local band.
The Boston Sessions
That summer, the band took a giant step towards success. Realizing that it was time they stepped up there game, Tim and Rick traveled to Berklee College of Music to take a summer semester on performance. While in Boston, Tim and Rick learned from some of the most talented musicians around the world. Learning about networking, recording, and showmanship, Tim and Rick began to take in all the knowledge they would need to make the Fitovers sucessful. While in Boston, Rick and Tim began to compose the masterpiece Alaska, the song most commonly described as The Fitovers best song. Late at night, Tim and Rick would sneak down to the Berklee practice rooms, where they would write and map out the epic 9 minute piece. By the end of the Five week program, the masterpiece Alaska was completed.
Meanwhile, guitarist Mike Miller stayed in Rochester and created his own personal recording studio for the band. Investing in advanced recording equipment (Logic, Apogee Ensemble, Mac Pro, and many other objects). Mike spent his summer learning the crafts of recording.
The band reunited in late August, inspired by their summer events and ready to partake in the next stage as a band. However, the band soon found that in order to succeed, they needed a new bass player. That summer The Fitovers let Rolf Lehman go, and adopted Mark Silberg as the new bassist. Mark was a renowned bass player in the area, playing with local band The Tides. In addition, he did the sports report on the local school channel.
In addition, the band new that they would have to tie up one more end in order to succeed. That summer the band bumped into singer Rey Deguzman at Java's Coffee, jammed, and a new relationship was formed. Rey, who was famous in the area for his incredible singing ability, joined The Fitovers in October of 2008. The final Fitovers lineup was complete.
In early October of 2008, after recording rough demoes at Mike Miller's home studio, The band traveled to Rochester's Black Dog Studios (home of Metallica's first album Kill 'Em All) and recorded three new songs. Dorothy, Good Morning Good Night, and Alaska were all released on myspace that month, and had an incredible reception. Soon a ton of attention was given to the band, and they realized that it was time for a real show to show the city who the new kings of music were.
On November 22nd, 2008, The Fitovers played their first major show with their final lineup. The band sold 130 presale tickets, an unheard of number at venue Dub Land Underground. The band made hundreds of new fans that night, and word spread quickly about this success.
Current Work
After the success at Dub Land Underground, the Fitovers returned to Mike's studio to begin formally recording their first EP. Many new songs were written, including Elephant Sounds (A riff rock song about sex), An untitled acoustic song, The Dreamer (a song about schizophrenia) and a new revamped version of Mama Says (entitled Hero).
In addition, the band is scheduled to play a massive show March 28th with The Hoodies, The Sunstreak, Cry to the Blind, and Surprise Surprise on March 28th at famed venue Waterstreet Music Hall.
Band Members
Rey Deguzman - Lead Vocals
Rick Markowitz - Piano and Backup Vocals
Mike Miller - Guitars
Mark Silberg - Bass Guitar
Tim Tribone - Drums
Albums
The Fitovers
1. Hero
2. Good Morning Good Night
3. Dorothy
4. Elephant Sounds
5. Dreamer
6. Cavern
7. Untitled Acoustic Song
8. Alaska

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