Teen Montville Musician Brings His Band's Heavy Sound To NYC Hipster Club

by Rafe Gomez

Zack Kressaty, a 19 year-old sophomore at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, recently brought the progressive heavy rock sound of his band Flathead Sky to Fontana’s, a top-reviewed, tri-level rock club favored by hipsters, models, and music aficionados. Flathead Sky has the distinction of being one of the youngest bands to ever take the stage at Fontana’s, which is located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

“Flathead Sky had amazing energy, and they were great performers,“ says Patrick Salt Ryan, a manager at Fontana’s. “Our crowd, which has high expectations for good music, loved them. They definitely have huge potential.”

All four members of Flathead Sky met while studying music at School of Rock, an after school music program. The School’s combination of individual lessons and group performances at top venues across the tri-state area gave the members the experience and confidence to create their own band, which features original songs that are influenced by Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Dream Theatre, Judas Priest, and Pain of Salvation.

In July, Flathead Sky performed their first show when they opened for Les Dudek – guitarist for Stevie Nicks, Steve Miller, and The Allman Brothers Band - at Mexicali Live in Teaneck.

“Flathead Sky blew the Les Dudek fans away with their extraordinary talent, especially for such young musicians,” says Lindsay Chait, talent booker at Mexicali Live. “We can’t wait to have them back for future shows.”

The band’s self-titled debut album, which was recorded in May ’14, was released last month and is available on Spotify and iTunes. Flathead Sky’s next gig will be at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park onSunday, October 5, where they’ll be competing in the annual Rock to the Top competition.

“I’m super excited about playing in Rock to the Top, and I’m confident that we’ll rock the hell out of the contest,” says Kressaty, who’s a 2012 graduate of Montville Township High School and plays bass in the band.