The Hallertau Band

(Pronounced  Hollert-oww)

The Hallertau band derives its name from the hop used in brewing beer.

Steve Zaccari (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)          John Drabik (lead guitar)
Charlie Gutta (bass)                                                Blair Purdy (drums)

What makes this band unique?

It is hard to imagine 2 different generations of people getting together and creating a sound that has the mature musicianship of seasoned veterans and the energy of contemporary artists.   Hallertau has the versatility to please folks looking for the greatest hits of rock and roll from the 60’s, 70’s (Stones, Allmans, Dead etc..) to artists still on the charts such as Dave Matthews and Phish.  In the appropriate setting, the band covertly mixes in original music that fuses the generations into one cohesive sound.

Band History-

Steve and Charlie began playing music together after meeting at Siena College.  In early 2007, they formed a duo playing smaller venues that eventually expanded from as far south as Westchester Co. up to Lake George NY.  During this time, Steve was working as a teacher at a Colonie High School where he met John.  John was a student placed in Steve’s chemistry class.

John displayed his talent on the guitar to others after school and expressed his wish to be part of a working band. Shortly after completing chemistry, John joined Hallertau and fascinated crowds with his extraordinary talent as a guitarist. In the summer of 2010, John brought his long time friend, classmate and musical colleague Blair into the band. The band has been busy writing music, playing gigs and saving up for a professional recording.

Meet the Core Members of the Hallertau

Steve Zaccari - lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Steve began singing in late 80's at Siena College with rock n roll cover band. Within a year, he cowrote songs with the keyboardist which eventually evolved into an original band called The Sound Asylym (91-96). The Sound Asylym produced a CD of original songs which expanded its tour base to the entire northeast of the US. The band culminated its final year with tour that stretched down the east coast to Clearwater, Florida. In the winter of 2008, Steve got back into writing original music cowriting songs for The Hallertau Band. Steve's influences are primarily blues and funk which is passionately reflected in his lyrics in Blues for You, The Teacher, Strolling Blues and Daddy's Coming Home. Steve's philosophy of music is "give it all you got" whether it is a practice, a party or a packed nightclub.

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Chuck Gutta - bass

Growing up, his father and grandfather gave him records from the 1950s and 60s – flamenco guitar from Spain, old time country records, Mississippi delta blues and jazz from Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and New Orleans jazz musicians. “I still have my Dad’s original Electrolux 1962 Stereophonic speakers that weigh about 30 pounds a piece. The heavy cabinet wood gives a low end response that you just can’t buy today”. He started playing rock in college but always approaches it with a jazz players ear. Never plays a song the same way twice; and maybe he has found the group of likeminded musicians who approach songs from the same space.

"I picked my first electric bass in 7th grade and haven't been able to put it down since. Growing up my dad and grandfather had all these old records - flamenco guitar from Spain, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra, delta blues, old folk records, and I listened to all of them. Records to learn from as well as listen to...I love to feel the bass vibrate in the pit of my stomach when I hit a note and that's my compass, that helps me feel what to play. I never play a song the same way twice, and in Hallertau we have some kind of like minded synergy, and everytime we play we take songs in new directions. The last 30 years I played rock'n roll with the Rob Skane 3, Speakeasy, Phlegm and Radio Game, bluegrass in Dyer Switch, country in North of Easton."

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John Drabik - lead guitar

With 10 years dedicated guitar playing. Influences: Derek Trucks, Stevie Ray Vaughn,  David  Gilmore, and Trey Anastasio.  Musical preferences are jazz, blues, funk and jam bands.

"I would love to say I was born into a musical upbringing, being saturated from the start with useful knowledge I could carry with me throughout my life... Sadly this was not the case. Though the passion for music was always around me I was left to decipher the code of music myself. Being a self taught musician comes with it's struggles but with hard work and perseverance the sounds you are able to achieve will shape you into something of your own. I have been a student to the music for 10 years and will continue to be for the rest of my life. I am influenced by anyone with a distinct sound and character that sets them apart from the rest".

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Blair Purdy - drums

I'm 20 years old and started playing drums when I was 8. My backround is in jazz, funk, blues, rnb, afro-cuban and gospel. My influences to name a few are Will Kennedy, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl and Buddy Rich. I got introduced to the band by John who I've been playing with for 7 years in a dynamic range of several groups since. Music is all I do... and if you aren't having fun then it's not music to me.

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