Dirty Wings
Guitarist and singer Sam
Rasiotis of the Astoriabased
band Dirty Wings describes their
sound as “rabble-rousing rock ‘n’ roll—indie
rock, old-time country, punk, noise.”
The band first formed in 2007 through
open mics at The Quays, and 10 years later,
they are still an active part of the Astoria
music scene. Their influences include
Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, Pixies, Sonic
Youth—“and all our neighborhood bands
here in Queens,” Rasiotis added.
Dirty Wings’ four-piece lineup is Sam
Rasiotis (vocals, guitars), Joe Pepe (lead
guitar), Sean Wiggins (bass, vocals) and
34 JULY 2 0 1 7
John Coakley (drums). When discussing
the Astoria music scene, Rasiotis explained,
“Everyone has their own sound.
Astoria thrives on sincerity, not irony.”
Dirty Wings’ first show was at the nowdefunct
Hellgate Social with the legendary
neighborhood band Bliminal. Since then,
they have generated quite the following
and developed a reputation for being a
solid innovator in the Astoria music scene,
which Rasitois describes as “an amazing
family of misfits, poets and rockers.”
Since the band has deep roots in this
local music scene, Rasiotis would love for
western Queens to become more
of a destination for music.
“Ten years ago, Justin Finley
of the band Bliminal and Space
Jump Live and I talked about
making the neighborhood a
place where lots of music and
shows would happen, rather than
constantly trying to play in Manhattan
or Brooklyn,” Rasiotis said.
Dirty Wings’ favorite neighborhood
haunts are The Quays,
Shillelagh and Irish Whiskey Bar,
and as you probably could have
guessed, their shows create a
heartfelt strong sense of community
and excitement that brings
the house down.
Dirty Wings will be headlining the Anniversary/
Closing Ceremony Party of the
Between Two Bridges Music Festival on
Aug. 29 at The Quays Pub.
LEDIRTYWINGS@GMAIL.COM
HTTPS://DIRTYWINGS.BANDCAMP.
COM/
HTTPS://M.FACEBOOK.COM/
DIRTYWINGSNYC
ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT 34 JULY 2017
Photos by Hillary Honeck
