Hampton Rock Series Pumps Up The Jams

Inventing a new summer concert series is a big risk to take, but Paul Fried and Michael Wudyka jumped in head first.

The two friends, and now business partners, had to pull all their resources together when they set the first “Hampton Jams Summer Concert Series” show for Saturday, May 14, at East Hampton Studio, especially since they knew they had only a week to plan a professional concert with an attractive lineup.

“It was a throw of the dice,” said Mr. Fried, who is executive producer of Hampton Jams, CEO of HamptonAccess.com and owner of ServPro of the North Fork. “We knew May would be lightly attended, but our logic was to make any mistakes now instead of when it really matters.”

Mr. Fried and Mr. Wudyka pulled out all the stops in putting together the first concert, they said. They called upon friends and acquaintances to find the right lighting, stage set up, security and most important, the acts. Former “American Idol” finalist Leah Laurenti, the Charlie Nice band and trio Blue Coupe performed that first night without a single hitch.

“The difficult thing about starting anything is that you just have to go in and do it,” said Mr. Wudyka, who owns the 31,000-square-foot East Hampton Studio and WVVH TV. “It’s difficult to create something out of nothing, but we’re committed to returning live music to the East End of Long Island as it always has been,” Mr. Fried added.

The idea of the summer concert series was born during the cold winter months when Mr. Wudyka and Mr. Fried were discussing how best to bring exposure to East Hampton Studio. Mr. Fried, an admitted surfing enthusiast, liked the idea of hosting a surf expo, like the ones held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and San Diego, California.

“After thorough review of the process of launching an expo, the idea began to morph into live music ... which was the ‘aha!’ moment,” Mr. Fried said.

According to Mr. Fried, decades ago it was easier to see bands on the East End. Local bands and groups from New York City played venues at low ticket prices or for free. He said that he and Mr. Wudyka want to bring back the affordable, all-star shows that once were a staple of the Hamptons.

Musician Dennis Dunaway, the bassist for Blue Coupe, said that he was impressed with the pair.

“I think their genuine enthusiasm is impressive,” said Mr. Dunaway, a founding member of the Alice Cooper group and now a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “I showed up at the venue early and proceeded to watch them do a lot of stuff they didn’t have to do just to make the venue as good as it could be for the show.”

Blue Coupe, a collaboration between Mr. Dunaway and brothers Albert and Joe Bouchard of Blue Öyster Cult, rocked the studio with classic hits such as, “I’m 18,” “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” and the group’s newest song, “(You Like) Vampires,” which was nominated for a Grammy in the “Best Rock Song” category.

The band’s theatricality jazzed up the audience as Mr. Bouchard played a drum solo dressed as Godzilla and backup singer Tish Bellomo of Sick F*cks and a founder of hair dye company Manic Panic, rocked bright pink hair. Blue Coupe, according to Mr. Fried, is the definition of rock and roll.

“It was absolutely unbelievable to be 3 feet away from such legendary performers,” he said.

He and Mr. Wudyka said they are excited to bring more rock-and-roll talent to the East End. The next concert, planned for Saturday, May 28, will feature hard rock band Attention Deficit Society and headliner Sweet Cyanide.

Both bands, which hail from New York City, bring intense, high-energy rhythms and catchy, dark vocals to their audiences.

Sweet Cyanide, which has just released its newest album, “Sweet Cyanide II,” includes Sal Scoca on guitar and vocals, Angelo Fariello on bass, Mike Bambace on drums and Joe Salvatore on guitar. The group’s sound is influenced by Guns n’ Roses, Metallica, Kiss, The Beatles and many other classic rock bands, according to Mr. Scoca.

“That’s the beauty of Sweet Cyanide, we can play with just about any band because our sound is a bit schizophrenic,” Mr. Scoca said. “We are a working-man’s band. Most of the songs deal with true stories and true people. They get down and dirty and hold no punches.”

While Mr. Wudyka and Mr. Fried said they want to bring legendary musicians to the East Hampton Studio, they’re also aiming to introduce newer bands and local groups for a more eclectic mix.

“My long term goal for Hampton Jams is to become an iconic fixture of East End live music and artistry,” Mr. Fried said.

Mr. Dunaway said he’s all for what the duo is doing.

“I’m wishing them nothing but big success, and I have a tendency to think they’re gonna do it,” the musician said.

Tickets for the next concert, on Saturday May 28, at 8 p.m., featuring Attention Deficit Society and headliner Sweet Cyanide at East Hampton Studio in Wainscott, are $20 for general admission and $25 at the door. VIP tickets are $75. For more information, visit Hamptonjams.com.