Episode 61: David Polemeni of Boystown

Boystown was and is a five piece rock/AOR band from New Jersey formed in 1987 and began playing the same Jersey bars that bred Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. They played clubs across the USA and opened for Jon Entwistle (The Who), The Hooters, New Kids On the Block and The Romantics. The single "Way Of The World" was released on the indie UK label AIR RECORDS in 1989 followed by a UK tour. The album was well received by critics with articles in Kerrang Magazine comparing the band’s energy to The Who and lead singer David Polemeni's vocals to Paul Rogers ( Bad Company) & Lou Gramm (Foreigner). The band developed their studio sound with producer David Prater (Firehouse, Dream Theatre, Glen Burtnik) who produced seven tracks on “Angels With Dirty Faces”. Oil & Water and the title track Angels With Dirty Faces were produced by Aaron Zigman ( Phil Collins).

The CD features the core members of Boystown; David Polemeni, Bobby Guy, Joey Sykes, John Teto and Nelson Williams. The songs I Need Shelter and Get Up were featured on the television show 21 Jump Street. Other songs appeared on HBO and SHOWTIME in films like A Brilliant Disguise and In The Kingdom Of The Blind, starring CSI's William Peterson. In 1990 Boystown were asked by their namesake Father Flannigan's Boys Town in Omaha, NE to do a concert for three thousand children. Boystown is the only rock band to ever play Boys Town.

The CD continues to gain popularity worldwide and has become a cult classic in Germany, France, Belgium and Sweden. In 2006 Something In The Way You Touch appeared on the CD Munich's Hardest Hits and the song Get Up will appear in the film "All In" starring Dominic Swain ( Lolita, Face Off) and Michael Madsen ( Kill Bill).

A new version of the band, featuring the core members of Polemeni, John Teto & Joey Sykes reunited back in 2023 for a reunion show in their home state of NJ and have since played more shows and released brand new music in the form of digital singles. The hope is for the band to record a brand new album so keep an eye and ear out for that!