Jakesway
Catching Wakefield is Catching On
Written by Gina Tutko-Usalis ~ January 2010
As a quartet that displays quality musicianship and harmony, these Pop/Rock, Matchbox 20 style musicians wanted to get tunes “out of their heads” and “onto an album.” That’s just what Jakesway has accomplished with their debut Catching Wakefield, which was released online November 18th and celebrated with a CD Release Party at Champions Lounge in Childs, PA on December 26, 2009.
L to R: Steve Kuna (bass & vox). Tom Herbert (drums & vox), John Yanochik (guitars & vox) and Gary Kaschak (guitars & lead vox).
Lead man Gary Kaschak’s first memory of music was a few 8-track tapes in the basement. “One was a Beatles tape with the label ripped off and the other was a Warner Bros. Super Hits of the 70’s. I think there was a Rod Stewart tune on there. Of course, Zoot, the sleepy saxophone player in the Electric Mayhem & the Muppet Show’s orchestra performed by David Goetz, influenced me. I started taking saxophone lessons off my cousin, Margie Benitez. I played sax and trumpet throughout school and most recently from 1999-2007 in the local cover wedding group Jeffrey James Band.” Gary tunes into a variety of artists on XM Radio. Outlaw 12 is on quite often along with Brad Paisley and Shooter Jennings being two of his favorites. “I usually go through phases, but I have been influenced by the likes of The Doors, Hendrix, CSN, Big Voodoo Daddy, Smithereens and even a Badlees phase and yesss… I have purchased the new album,” Gary said with a smile.
Jakesway combines their talent when it comes to their lyrics. They write from personal experiences both past and present. They are not macking ho’s or ridin’ dirty. John “Chickie” Yanochik who first got interested in music by watching the early Monkees Shows on Saturday mornings stated, “We write from the heart and tend to lean toward experiences and emotions we’ve dealt with throughout life, as I’m sure many other people have.” Chickie started playing guitar in 7 grade, taking lessons from a nun and playing folk masses. His musical roots come from the likes of Tommy James, the Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Uriah Heep, Thin Lizzy… the list goes on and on. Now his daughter is interested in guitar and drums, and his youngest son is a pretty decent guitar player.
Tom “Herbie” Herbert added, “ There is nothing more honest than real life to inspire you to write those words and music that comes from the heart.” Tom was first introduced to music by his Uncle Tom, who would play music in this grandmother’s attic. “To see the joy, physicality and emotion that can be expressed through playing, I realized that this would be a key part of deriving joy in my life. After being taken to see Buddy Rich play on two different occasions in the Poconos, by my uncle, I knew that I would do this in some way for the rest of my life,” expressed Tom. His Uncle Tom has since passed away and is dearly missed. Tom continues to enjoy music whether it is jazz, punk, classic rock, soul, folk, etc. As long as the music has a hook and good harmonies then its all good in his book. He enjoys getting to harmonize with band mates and finds much joy in being a greater part than just a drummer.
Steve Kuna is into XM – Octane and 90’s alt music. He has been playing for 15 years… 3 years with Nugget, 3 years with Big Bear Mikey & now with Jakesway. “Jakesway just feels right,” says Steve. “Getting places to give you the opportunity to play is the hard part.” Tom adds, “I believe that finding the right venues to play original music, in this area, is the biggest obstacle. If you can get the right mix of covers and originals, while still accentuating your own creativity, that’s what is paramount to finding your place in the realm of an original band.”
Each band member has a song on the new CD Catching Wakefield that has personal meaning to them. “Lonely Man” was written by Chickie over 15 years ago during a dark time in his life and he dedicates it to all men who have shared those experiences. Gary wrote “Heard About You (In a Love Song) for his wife, Stephanie. Because of her support and the jumpstart that song gave him for this band project, that probably could be considered the most “important” song to him. While the chorus of “Day in the Sun” takes on a dual meaning, Gary wrote it in tribute to Tommy coming home from overseas. Tommy was doing his tour with the U.S. Army in Bosnia. Tom remarked, “I cannot find the words to express how flattered I was to be introduced to ‘Day in the Sun’ and play it in a duo with Gary. We have been performing as a duo act since 2003. When I asked about a duet, “Gary has always wanted to re-record “Islands in the Stream,” Tom laughingly told me. Aside from the humor, Tom found the inspiration to write the song “Happy Young Man” which made him realize that, as much as we like to think we are being screwed by life, there is a person out there that has not even considered that as a possibility. Tommy tells me, “I actually saw this gentleman on my way home from work and, thank you sir, you made an impression on my life.”
Some of the local favorites of Jakesway would be Jugdish (singer Jimmy Mancus just released a solo album that is absolutely outstanding), The Quake, Maybe Someday and Breaking Ben who continues to be a Pennsylvania success story in today’s industry. The music industry has really changed. Tom explains, “I have been witness to the production of bands that were created for cover band greatness through management and promotion. Equally, I have seen some of the finest bands locally, like Jugdish, be subjugated by that line of thinking. It makes one wonder what nuggets of brilliance are not to be ever realized by the greater public.“ Gary elaborated, “We all understand how the industry works today … we would be kidding ourselves if we thought we could just drop off a press kit and CD (or EPK) to ’local’ stations and get our tunes played – aside from the certain stations that do feature a ’local’ or ’homegrown’ segment, which is great and should be done more often. The thing is, there are soooo many artists and acts out there, you just have to look under every rock and submit to any and every site or venue that will give you a listen and respond. Outlets like the PA Music Scene and others like it, are very refreshing and encouraging to independent local and regional artists, because it does give us a genuine feeling that there ARE those out there that want to listen and embrace you within your community. And from that, it grows from there hopefully…”
Jakesway considers themselves a truly independent band in every way. Chickie who says “nothing ventured, nothing gained” usually likes to produce flyers and post them around the town they’re playing. Like most bands, they also use the internet to get the word out. Jakesway has been focusing on making a web presence while the members of the band are trying to balance 40+ hour work weeks and families. 
They are resolved to succeed, living productive lives and aspiring to have a music career at the same time. They all agree, don’t wait for the ’right time’ or ’favors’ to be cashed in to write, record and perform YOUR tunes… just do it! Cover tunes are great and get you gigs, but nothing feels better than doing your own!
So finally… how did the band get it’s name?? Well, when Gary met his wife Stephanie… they were at some sort of party. Gary said, “I saw my brother-in-law in the corner by himself… kind of rocking/swaying back & forth with a drink. I said, “HA! Steph look at your brother! Steph and someone said, “Ha-ha that’s the “Jake Sway!” I said… I WILL use that someday! It all gets a little crazy but they ARE doing it …. JAKESWAY!
Pick up your copy of Catching Wakefield at:
Music Go Round Wilkes-Barre
Gallucci Music Scranton
Joe Nardone’s Gallery of Sound Locations
Also on iTunes, Rhapsody, Shockhound , LALA , Amazonmp3 , and MORE …
More information:
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