Maplewood Band Makes Smashing Debut at Hat City

Rarely can we categorize a story as both "arts" and "police & fire," but we have found the one exception!

Last weekend, the local band Bad Economy played the new hot spot, Hat City Kitchen, in Orange. As the first band was being announced, Bad Economy drummer Joe La Palerma reported, a car came crashing into the bar. "I was outside unloading my drums a few feet away from the car and heard a huge boom." La Palerma turned around and said to himself, "Hmm, am I really seeing this?" A car had driven up on the sidewalk and into the bar.

But that's not important.

Bad Economy is the real story here. The group is an alternative/rock band formed by La Palerma (drummer and Tuscan School parent) and Pete McCauley (lead guitarist). "We both grew up together in Bayonne where we played throughout high school and college," said La Palerma. "What started as us getting together on Friday nights to hang out and jam has turned into a band." Also in the band are Paul Domiciano (guitar and vocals) and Rich Simoniello on bass (Rich is also a Tuscan parent).

Amazingly, the show went on: Bad Economy's set list included Interstate Love Song and Wicked Garden by the Stone Temple Pilots, Backwater by the Meat Puppets, Creep by Radiohead, Come Together and Glass Onion by the Beatles, Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young, Little Wing and Red House by Jimi Hendrix. "We basically go wherever the vibe takes us," said La Palerma.

Um, but more about that car crash?

"You can't make this stuff up, I guess you can say the gig was a smash!" said La Palerma, "Luckily nobody was injured in the bar and the driver seemed to get out of the car okay with the help of the authorities."