Springsteen lyrics inspire band’s unique name

FAIRFIELD — After hearing what seemed like “a million dumb suggestions,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light” came on the radio.

And, with that, the Concord-based trio, Go Kart Mozart, chose its name. The song, penned by Springsteen, includes the lyrics “And go-cart Mozart was checkin’ out the weather charts to see if it was safe outside.”

Go Kart Mozart

• 9 p.m. Feb. 3
• The Rellik Tavern, 726 First St., Benicia
• 746-1137
• http://www.therelliktavern.com
• http://www.gokartmozart.com

Members Anna Cuccdiardo and Vincent Lay have been playing together for more than 12 years. The two formed a band they called Kid Moe. They were joined by Shane DeLea. Disagreements split the band for a short time.

They regrouped in 2007, adopting the band’s current name. The band got a trademark for the name, since there was another band in England calling itself Go Kart Mozart.

Cuccdiardo said she’s never heard from the English band, but has received a few not-so-kind messages from some of its fans about using the same name.

On Feb. 3, the United States version of Go Kart Mozart — which lists its influences ranging from Elvis to Green Day – makes its debut at The Rellik in Benicia.

Being the band’s first gig at the place, Cuccdiardo said it’s kind of difficult to predict what the night will be like.

However, she said there will be covers and original tunes of genres from blues to rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s sound is often compared to Green Day.

“We’ll feel out the crowd and adapt to that,” she said.

Cuccdiardo is the band’s drummer, as well as handling all the publicity, producing the recordings and handling bookings.

“I do just about everything but write the songs. Vincent writes the songs,” she said.

Cuccdiardo also teaches drums, runs a music lessons studio in Contra Costa County and plays in some cover bands.

A few years ago, the band logged almost 33,000 miles, doing 143 shows in 40 states in a year.

Today, Go Kart Mozart sticks pretty much to the West Coast. It’s really difficult to guess the number of miles she’s traveled with the band, Cuccdiardo said.

“We’ve done several tours where we made it all the way to Maine,” she said.

Cuccdiardo still finds herself somewhat a novelty as a female drummer.

While many of her drum students are female, Cuccdiardo said there’s only one band in about every 20 they play with that has a female drummer.

“And sometimes we do a show with three bands and they’ll be three female drummers. It comes in waves,” she said.

Reach Amy Maginnis-Honey at 427-6957 or amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net.

Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=129463

Posted by Amy Maginnis-Honey on Jan 27 2012.

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