On The Radar… The Borstal Boys

For anyone who loves traditional rock n roll music and good old fashioned blues, hard rock that crosses over into jazz, alt-country and neo-psychedelia, then you may want to add Pittsburgh’s The Borstal Boys to your playlist! Signed to The Vault Records. The Borstal Boys have an impressive back catalogue and whose latest album, Crumbs released in 2021, is testament to the band’s diversity, boundless energy and musicianship. Taking their name from the song by The Faces, The Borstal Boys are comprised of Mark Ponsonby on vocals, Rocky Lamonde on bass, Vinny Q on guitar, Dave Buzard on guitar, Joe Pelesky on organ/vocals and Matt Ferrante on drums/vocals, and whose music has won them over a loyal and growing fanbase.

They are the ultimate classic rock band that time travels through the timelines of guitar-laden music and adds a dose of raw grit and a bit of swagger that could rival Mick Jagger! Bold, catchy, and anthemic, The Borstal Boys go back to the basics of making music and reboots the robust, invigorating and steely aesthetics.

They are your gusty, unstoppable, beer swigging, foot-tapping old timers whose virtuosic guitar playing preens from the side-shows of Slash, The Rolling Stones, and ZZ Top. They are your no frills, fully-fledged entertainers that add the fun factor and cheeky charm to their hard–hitting music. Professional and passionate, The Borstal Boys sure know how to put a show on, reaching out to a mass audience, whilst dazzling them with their infinite and uncompromising talent.

“They’re good rock and roll songs. They’re mostly about, you know, either losing or leaving a relationship, wanting somebody, or driving a fast car. I’m not breaking down any walls with my lyrics, but I think they’re catchy. The most important part to me is a catchy song. When Mark [Ponsonby, lead singer] writes, he gets a little deeper into things. Mine seems to be more rock and roll where Mark gets into saving the world.”

(Anthony “Rocky” Lamonde for Second Scene magazine)

The Borstal Boys | Facebook