"Reserve" the Stage

College band makes a name for itself

Story by Jen Dukerley
Photos courtesy of Jen Dunkerley

Garage bands, pop groups, you name it. For years, people have been getting together to form bands and express themselves through music. Although there have been many who have not successfully gotten their name out there, one group of guys is making that dream a reality.

Nick Ricotta, Mason Hurley, Ammon Lewis and Jason Kaplan have been playing music for some time before they entered college at Plattsburgh State. Hurley, a sculpture major (bass), Ricotta, an environmental science major (drums), and Lewis, majoring in EXP and photojournalism (trumpet), all of who are seniors, met up sophomore year. But, it wasn’t until a mutual friend suggested they get together and play last year. They then paired up with junior, and education major, Jason Kaplan (guitar), and decided to form their group, Steal Reserve. For Hurley, he says he has "always been around music." Coming from an instrumental background, his dad playing the guitar and his mom playing the piano, Hurley started playing brass instruments before he moved onto bass. "I see myself playing music until the day I die," Hurley says. Guitarist of the group, Jason Kaplan started out young as well. He learned from his mother, a music teacher in Long Island. "My mom taught me my first three chords on the guitar," Kaplan says. He was between the ages of 11 and 12 and has been playing ever since.

"I see myself playing music until the day I die."

Although the guys are from all over, the group itself is locally based in Plattsburgh. Their hotspot is usually Open Mic Night at Monopole every Wednesday. They have been playing there since they first started out but not always as Steal Reserve. Ricotta says that they would come up with different names every week for Open Mic Night because they could never decide on a set name. "One week we were Pork Chops and Applesauce, we just picked anything random," Ricotta says. He has been playing the drums since he was 12 and has remained mostly self-taught. Led Zeppelin, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jimi Hendrix have influenced the guys, giving their music a rock and roll "funky jazz" sound. The guys compose both the music and write the lyrics for their own original songs, which are rounding close to 15. The band’s practice spot is usually in an open room in Nick’s off-campus apartment right outside his room. Here, they come to just chill out and do what they do best. "This is where the magic happens," Ricotta says.

"One week we were Pork Chops and Applesauce, we just picked anything random."

The members of Steal Reserve never planned on making the band into a big deal. They enjoy playing together and are "just having fun." With Ammon graduating this May, the guys said that they still want to continue to play together. In the future, they would like to have a keyboardist and a singer to add to the group. When the guys eventually do go their separate ways after school they say they will "defiantly" still be playing music. "I want to always play music whether it’s just a hobby or for real," Ricotta says.  Most recently, the group has landed their biggest gig opening for the local band, Shameless Strangers on Friday March 13 at Monopole in downtown Plattsburgh. "I am really excited, this is our first real gig," Ricotta says. The guys have had a great time becoming and close friends and sharing their talents together.

Have you heard Steal Reserve play?