Bio
Forgotten by Friday was fully formed in the summer of 2010. Dominick Mauro and Ryan Schneider, friends from High School, started writing some music together, while at the same time Tom Forst had already been recording with Dominick for a few months. Add drummer/percussionist Mike Giammattei and singer Maria Soaft, and Forgotten by Friday went from a few songs written in Dominick's apartment to a full band playing in multiple states from the get go. In the first year, the band played several prestigious shows: from the world famous Toad's Place in New Haven CT, to the Boston Music Conference in Boston Mass. In those first few months they were honored to have been chosen to play at an Americana showcase in Boston, and progressed through a few Battle of the bands at places like Up or on the Rocks in Hartford, and at The Space in Hamden (both venues known for showcasing local and regional original bands).
After writing for a full year together and playing local venues, Ryan and Dominick took their writing show on the road to Nashville TN in September of 2011. They played acoustic shows in places like the Bluebird Cafe, Picks Cafe, BB King's, the Commodore, Rickard's, and Douglas Corner. Winning over fans and musicians, they set the ground work for their first album by touring music city. When they returned to CT, they immediately went into the Horizon Music Group studio to record an album on the HMG label.
Produced by local legend Vic Steffans, the band released "Believe" in late 2011 in front of 200 fans, local media, and critics at Daniel Street in Milford CT. The album was a success, selling 600 hard copies and hundreds of digital downloads. The album "Believe" was given extended airplay from Nashville up to New Hampshire, was given some great reviews by Skope Magazine, the Alternate Route, and Americana critic Noah. Forgotten by Friday hit the road on some extended touring to promote the album, opening for national acts like Marshall Tucker, Atom Smash, CAVO, American Bang, Ghetto Grass, Steven Broderick from Trans-Siberian Orchestra and CB Radio. The band played huge venues across the northeast like Showcase Live @ Gillette Stadium, Copperfield's, and All Asia in Boston MA; Freedomfest state fair and Dexcon in NJ; Black-Eyed Sally's, Pig's Eye Pub, and Cafe Nine in CT; and the Knitting Factory, the National Underground, the Shrine, Club Zebulon, and Local 269 in NYC. After the release, the band was nominated for 4 awards in the first Connecticut Music awards, and then again in the New England Music awards.
It was in late 2012 that Co-founder and Co-writer Ryan Schneider could no longer be a full-time member of FbF due to him and his wife having a child and moving out of state. Ryan does, however, remain as an occasional songwriting contributor. Not too long after that, Tom Forst decided to leave FbF to focus on his blues act. In 2013, to change direction a little bit and infuse a different spin on the band's overall sound, Lawrence Wenthen was added to play keyboards and fiddle. Dominick had been playing music with him in a local cover band and felt he'd be a good fit and could bring a different and much needed element into the band. Also, after a long search for someone to fill the guitar roles, Mike Forgette was added on acoustic and lead guitar. Mike F originally just started out as a friend of the band, then he was asked to fill-in on acoustic guitar for shows (as he has his own Prog Rock band, 1974), but then soon thereafter he became another integral part of the new FbF sound. In late 2013 FbF also welcomed Joe Ayala to the mix on lead guitar, and Jon Jensen as rhythm guitarist. A replacement for the overall guitar duties was needed as Mike F was leaving due to his other project and family needing his attention. Instead of adding just one new person to handle both the rhythm and lead guitar roles as Mike F had done, the band decided on having two different individuals take on those roles to add to the overall fullness of the FbF sound for live shows. Joe was a great person and guitarist, but unfortunately his stint in the band was short lived as other ventures more important took precedence over the band. He didn't want to short change the band in the attention and availability department, so they had to part ways. 2015 brought its share of ups as well as downs, and it was at this time that the band had its greatest achievement to date: They were nominated for and wound up winning the title of "Best Country Act" in the 2015 CT Music Awards Grand Band Slam Readers Poll. In late 2015 the band found Joe's replacement, Lance Dechane, a veteran of the CT music scene. Unfortunately it wasn't long after that when Lance decided to depart, citing creative differences. The band started its search immediately for Lance's replacement, and it was then in late 2016 that the band found its current lead guitarist, Nick Mangan, who's a young, hungry musician, but gig hardened nonetheless. FbF is excited to pursue its next chapter and next album with Nick in the fold. Throughout the revolving door at lead guitar, Jon Jensen has remained as the staple at rhythm guitar and has become an integral part of the writing and overall creative process.
As the band grows, many new Co-writers have stepped up as well. Maria Soaft and Mike Giammattei have both written songs for the band, as well as Mike F. Forgotten by Friday released its second album "Whiskey & Song" in the fall of 2015. The band recorded the album at Sonic Environments in Bloomfield, CT with producer Jeff Weed. For the upcoming 3rd album, look for more song contributions from members Lawrence, Jon, and Nick.
Forgotten by Friday is endorsed by Kronik Energy Drinks as well as having several personal endorsements: Dominick Mauro is endorsed by Bulletproof guitars, and Mike G is endorsed by Soultone Cymbals. The Band feels it is very important to give back to the community and as such is working extensively with a great organization called the Wounded Warrior Project, a program that helps badly injured soldiers go back to civilian life. They also give of their time to other charities such as The Relay For Life (cancer walk), Animal Rescue Shelters, Swim Across the Sound (cancer benefit), as well as personal benefits for individuals that are close to the band and in need of assistance.
Since their start in 2010, the band has played many large shows as openers for nationals as well as many local and regional festivals and clubs, (not mentioned already) including: Sully's Pub in Hartford CT as openers for Waylon Speed, Harvest Fest at Western CT State University as openers for Keith Anderson, The Goshen Stampede as openers for Chris Jensen, Black Jack Billy, and The LACS, The Durham Fair, The Goshen Fair, The North Haven Potato Festival, The Summer Concert Series for the towns of Brookfield, Stratford, Woodbridge, and New Canaan, as well as many other smaller shows. Though the band has been forever changing and evolving, its goal has remained the same; to write great music from the heart that connects with all types of people. The band is still as strong today as it was when those two high school buddies first met up to jam in Dominick's basement. Look for them in the near future to make some real noise on the national stage!
