Bio

Freakswitch is an original hard rock band based in Poughkeepsie, New York. Members Mike Kenny (guitar), Mike Polito (bass), Brian Amato (vocals) and Mike Skaretka (drums) have custom molded a sound of their own.  Each member of the band has paid their dues in successful original acts.  They all hit it off right from the very beginning.  Their individual ideas and playing styles gel very smoothly.  No doubt they are a hard rock act, but at the same time, their music possesses a very melodic hook. 

Mike Kenny and Mike Polito have known each other for quite some time.  They had a couple of start-up projects together that never really took off due to lack of chemistry.  One day Polito got a hold of some of Kenny’s original music that he hadn’t heard before.  After listening to it only once, he called Kenny on the phone and said “You had all this great material and never said anything!”  It was then that they decided to continue in the same vein with a new band, which they named Freakswitch.  They started auditions and had no luck at first trying to attract the right players.  One day they received a call from Mike Skaretka, aka Scratch.  He auditioned and passed with flying colors.  He immediately locked in with Polito’s bass playing.  Mike Kenny offered him the position the same night of the audition.  It pretty much went the same way with Brian Amato.  Brian’s voice is outstanding.  His excitement, drive and ability to come up with lyrics on the fly blew us away.    

photo courtesy of Steve Planck

Freakswitch is influenced by a number of different bands including classic 70’s and 80’s rock.  But, Metallica, Godsmack, Disturbed, Nickleback and Tool have directly influenced their writing.  Freakswitch is very serious about what they do.  They love having a great time and partying as much as the next guy.  When it comes down to writing and giving their fans what they paid for, it is all about hard work and taking the time to make sure it will sound its best.  That is the essence of Freakswitch.

Freakswitch is finishing up the final touches on their new video which is being shot documentary style.  It includes clips from their first photo shoot, conversations about their music, rehearsals and live concert footage. They will also be heading into the studio to record some of their most recent work, and plan on coming out with a full length CD in mid summer 2009. Hopefully they will have their music heard by the right person who will take them on to the next level and get them signed.

“All we can do until that time comes is do what we love doing from our hearts.”