Scene Point Blank: What was it like playing with Syl and The Dolls?
Steve Conte: It was an amazing experience playing at the Morrisey Meltdown Festival. At that time, Arthur Killer Kane was still around and it was great to be part of it and make it happen for David, Syl, and Arthur. Syl was the heart of the NY Dolls -- always happy and enthusiastic.
Scene Point Blank: I have friends that consider him a very underrated guitarist.
Steve Conte: He certainly had a style and was a great rhythm guitarist that gelled the band together.
Scene Point Blank: How did it feel stepping into the role that Johnny Thunders once owned?
Steve Conte: I wanted to be careful not to be a carbon copy of him. I come from a different background musically than Thunders so I had to figure out essentially how a punk rocker played. I wanted to respect his style but not play note for note or go all out and do a blistering solo. So basically I made some slight or subtle adjustments to honor his contributions and sneak in a few little nuances here and there. I am proud of what I did with the NY Dolls and I think we made some great LPs together that fit nicely in the catalog. Not discounting the first LP or Too Much Too Soon -- those are both classic LPs -- but I think what the reformed Dolls did compliments those two.
Scene Point Blank: What about playing with Willy Deville?
Steve Conte: Once again a gem of a man…But I was with him at a difficult point in his life. Musically speaking though, I enjoyed working with him immensely…He was a very talented individual.
Scene Point Blank: Was that when he was in New Orleans?
Steve Conte: No, it was when he came back from New Orleans and lived in NYC. Willy and Syl were one of a kind. I miss them both a lot.
Scene Point Blank: Do you remember how I first came into contact with you?
Steve Conte: Through the Dolls!?
Scene Point Blank: Yes, but before you were playing with them. I started a petition to get the NY Dolls into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I had quite a bit of signatures gathered and even found out who the voting members were and had their addresses. I also heard that Jann Wenner hated the Dolls and as long as he had his say they wouldn't get in. I had a change of tune and realized that they live within our hearts and not within concrete and glass. Anyways, both you and your brother signed it.
Steve Conte: Pretty funny that later on, I went on to play in the band!
Scene Point Blank: You then mailed me a copy of your cd The Contes (you and your brother) and I reviewed it. I really like that cd.
Steve Conte: Yes that is a release that kind of slipped under the radar. Thanks for saying that I am proud of the release. I wish more people heard it at the time.
Scene Point Blank: I have a friend that wanted me to ask about the Company of Wolves. Will that ever see the light of day in terms of a rerelease?
Steve Conte: I doubt there is much interest in that being rereleased but I guess you never know. I wouldn't be opposed to it, per se, but I don't think there would be much interest, to be honest, since in that era of multi-platinum sellers we barely sold 100,000 records.
Scene Point Blank: Is there a plan to do more soundtrack work (like the Cowboy Bebop anime stuff)?
Steve Conte: If any reading this wants to hire me, I wouldn't shy away from that, haha!
Scene Point Blank: How did you come to be on Wicked Cool Records?
Steve Conte: I first met Little Steven when I did the Underground Garage Festival but even went to school with his cousins.
I did the “Gimmie Gimmie Rockaway” single for them in 2017 and the “Recovery Doll” single in 2021. Little Steven thought it was a great l song and it became the coolest song of the week. It ended up getting a lot of airplay. There were plans to do another single. I let Wicked Cool know I had a whole LP worth of material and Little Steven said, “Let's do it!”
Scene Point Blank: Who is on this release?
Steve Conte: My brother, John Conte (Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Ian Hunter) and Charley Drayton (Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, The Replacements) essentially.
Scene Point Blank: That is quite a lineup. Glam rock off the scale with NY Dolls, Mott The Hoople, and Stooges connection.
Steve Conte: Well, yes, I have never thought about it like that.
Scene Point Blank: I saw you put something on your site about forming a band with all women.
Steve Conte: Yes, I thought it would be a cool idea. I asked for ideas of whom would be a good fit.
Scene Point Blank: I voted for Cynthia B-Girl Ross. I think you know her. Wait, I know you do, because we both spoke to her at your New York Dolls show at Lee’s Palace.
Steve Conte: Yes I know Cynthia. Very cool and down to earth.
Scene Point Blank: I had one more question that a couple of people asked me to bring forth. What gear do you primarily use? (Sorry, gearheads love this shit.)
Steve Conte: Depends on the gig:
For Monroe, I use my Gibsons. 2005 Les Paul Supreme and 2007 SG and a 100-watt Blackstar HT Venue Series MK II stack. Pedalboard has a wah-wah, tuner and Dunlop overdrive.
At home, it’s wide open:
Guitars: Gibsons, Fenders, Danelectro, Hagstrom, Zemaitis, Martin. Amps are Marshall, Vox, Ampeg, Fender, Blackstar…and loads of pedals: overdrives, wah, Leslie, tremolo, delays, etc.
Scene Point Blank: Before I go off on another tangent and this starts feeling like the story of your life. Do you have any parting thoughts?
Steve Conte: I want to acknowledge my fan base to start and all the great musicians I have had the opportunity to play and collaborate with.
Scene Point Blank: I have to say you are very down to earth and have no apparent ego.
Steve Conte: Haha. That's my problem, not enough ego to become a true "rockstar," but I am an artist and a musician! And, hey, if I can make a kid's day by answering his question online and it takes me five seconds, why wouldn't I? I appreciate all the people that listen to my music and take the time to connect with them. I think that is important. Thanks for the interview too.
Scene Point Blank: Anytime, man . Always a pleasure to chat!
