Never thought we'd live thru a pandemic, but here we are.

Pándēmos

Recorded some demos of new songs I've been working on that are to be featured on my upcoming album tentatively titled 'Quandary'. Still working out a few kinks on these and will be re-recording parts here and there, but thought I'd give a preview of some of the tracks for now...

© 2021-2023, All music and words written by Mario G. Di Sandro

Quandary (demos)

 Mario Di Sandro; guitars, vocals, organ, e-bow  Kevin Brown; bass  Henry Rivera; drums
All songs written by Mario Di Sandro, ©2005-2011

Mixed by Kevin Brown and Mario Di Sandro  Engineered and Mastered by Kevin Brown  Recorded at Deep River Studio, Lake Station, IN  Photo of Deep River, Lake Station, IN by Mario Di Sandro  Photos of inside the recording studio by Kevin Brown and Mario Di Sandro, all lake pictures by Mario Di Sandro.

This album is dedicated to my mom, without her continued support, constant love and inspiration, this record would not have been possible. I'd also like to thank Kevin Brown for taking the time to record these 5 simple songs and turning them into something much greater than I could have ever imagined. Also, Henry Rivera for learning drums in such a short period of time and really capturing the energy that I was looking for in these songs.

I'd also like to thank Marcus Reidy for letting me be a neurotic bandmate and force you to try these and other new songs out live even with just a couple of practices in. My other bandmate, Andrew Welebir, for putting up with me for all these years. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have written 'Ricochet' and all the many other songs that came out of that first jam session some 10 years ago. Raul Parra, always an inspiration on drums and getting me to be a more disciplined musician, for that I thank you. 

Bryan Zehar, for constantly keeping me on my toes and encouraging me to keep playing and writing music, your friendship has proven eternal. Derek Zehar, my other best friend and champion of laughter, thank you for always coming out to the shows and being present and caring about the music that I made. Dave Chrastka for allowing me a glimpse into the music industry so long ago, even if we were much younger, and for supplying me with my first powered Marshall amp—without it I would have stuck to lame sappy acoustic songs. Viva la distortion!

There are so many others that I would like to thank, and you know who you are. To name a few: My Family, Eric Georgevich, Bearsnake, Larry Artz, Brennan Dortch, Kristine Vesper, Jeni Lukin, Mayra Zuniga, Rachel Komar, Kris Traff (we'll record one day!), Kurt Stirnkorb, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, Liam Finn, Neil Young, John Doe, Star Anna, Justin Davis, Nick La Rocco, John Walski, Brian Wittenberg, Joe Maxfield, Shannon and Erika Owens, Jennifer Murphy, Jessica Sytsma, Jessica Henry, Jessica Jurgenson, Stefanie Motte, Tyler Brinegar, Adam Pluth, Stephanie Plenner, Stephanie Mostowski, Deron Wade, Jasper Dickson, Noah Murphy, Angelo Bundini, Tony Vasquez, Antonello Tito, Ronnie Lotz, Silvie Mitrovich, Brian Bender, John Kucjzak, Mat Festa, Céline Hall, Sara Hofverberg, Laura Trafton, Rob Bleetstein, Emily Sevin, Adam Del Rio, Jillian Valentino, Kelly Chicoine, Katie Kouba, Kim Hoban and so many more.


Buy 'Lessons(Learned)'

Lessons (Learned)

We Were Never Meant To Be

The Odds

How far we’ve come
How far we’ve grown
Made my mistakes with love
But not with you 
So, please darling
Let this be…

You and me against the world
To beat the odds 
Holding on
To what we know is…

True to my heart you are
True to my soul you share
Oh what a mess we’ve made
And all the beauty in it
Oh, please darling
Let this be…

You and me against the world
To beat the odds 
Holding on
To what we know is…

Real love don’t come around
Real love is hard to find
In all these little moments
I have always known
Oh, my darling
Let it be…

You and me against the world
To beat the odds 
Holding on
To what we know is… love

How far we’ve come
How far we’ve grown
Made my mistakes with love
But not with you 
So, please darling
Let this be…

You and me against the world
To beat the odds 
Holding on
To what we know is… love

Words and music written by Mario G. Di Sandro 
©️Copyright 2022 Cover The Brake Publishing and Dog n’ a Half Records

The Odds

Some demos of the new songs to be featured on my upcoming album titled 'Quandary'.

Quandary

I Think of You

From Another

Calendar Days

Bomb Thrower

All For Naught

It’s a slow burn
To our love
As I take my time with you

It’s a long run
To your heart 
But I’m pacing myself for you

It’s a steep path
To find you
But I will climb forward and dig in

And here I write all these songs 
I know I’m not the only one 
And I know I’m not the only one
But I hope I am your only one

It’s a far way/drive
To see you
But I will make the journey each time

It’s a long shot
To hold you
But I’ll keep on trying still

It is worth it
In the end
We both know and feel it to be true

And here I write all these songs 
I know I’m not the only one 
And I know I’m not the only one
But I hope I am your only one

It’s a slow burn
To our love
As I take my time with you

Slow Burn To Our Love

But Life Doesn't Always Go That Way

An Ocean Apart

Poisoning The Well

Drinking To Meet You

Here's a live rendition of 'We Were Never Meant To Be' featuring some great local musicians; Christian Behrens on trombone, William Ryan on saxophone, David Colón on piano, Bill Fried on cajon and backing vocals, and Jeff Desira on shakers. 

album cover Illustration by: David Colón

We Were Never Meant To Be
words and music ©2013-2014, Mario Di Sandro, Dog n' a 1/2 Records.


we never want what we have
and always want what we don't

don't say it never crossed your mind
love's what you were looking to find

so you let me in to your life
never thought i'd ask you to be my wife

and now we're both staring at our shoes
while you're happy and i'm singing the blues
while you're happy and i'm singing the blues

we were never meant to be
we were never meant to be
i found it hard to believe
i found it hard to believe

we don't speak nor do we see
the distance between you and me

i call you out but you never give in
gave you my best shot, but you'll always win

i see a ghost of you on every street
hoping for that chance to one day meet

and now we're both standing face to face
how easy our love was to replace
how easy our love was to replace

we were never meant to be
we were never meant to be
i found it hard to believe
i found it hard to believe

We Were Never Meant To Be (Live At The Riptide 05.19.14)

This is a live unrehearsed version of the song 'Black' by Pearl Jam, sung by Alex Jimenez on rhythm acoustic guitar and me on electric lead guitar. 

photo credit: ©2013 KC Turner

Black (Pearl Jam Cover)- Mario Di Sandro and Alex Jimenez

So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
But not for me

See, i was good, but then i turned bad
Stayed out late, and made my mom mad
Hit my brother, and he got real sad
But i don't really care about x-mas so i'm glad

So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
But not for me

See, i used to think, that santa was real
Went to bed early, and left him a meal
He didn't show up, how dumb did i feel?
But i don't really care about x-mas so what's the big deal?

So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
So it looks it's gonna be a merry x-mas
But not for me

(solo)

See, i used to give, my presents away
Thought i'd do, some good this way
Til i couldn't pay my bills today
So i don't really care about x-mas anymore
So i don't really care about x-mas anymore
So i don't really care about x-mas anymore
So i don't really care about x-mas anymore


Written by mario di sandro, ©2009, 2023 Cover The Brake Publishing

X-Mas Single 2023

So It Looks It's Gonna Be A Merry X-Mas (But Not For Me)

Life's Gonna Get You Down (Unmixed)

Wandering Eye 
Music and words ©2015 Mario G. Di Sandro

How am I supposed to feel at ease
When you've only got one eye on me
It's easy I know to be led astray 
Been working hard to get you back my way

Give it time to set its foundation 
Your thirst for love feels hesitation  
But I'm standing here in the doorway
No reason for you to look the other way

You got a wandering eye
It hurts worse than a lie
When I'm thinking you're true
You're looking right thru


The lies you tell to get on by
Will only award with a drawn out sigh 
For our trust will falter and disappear 
As I'm catching you whisper in someone else's ear

The way you look into my soul
A lonely ditch filling up a hole 
But you've been looking for the next best thing 
As I am here waiting, ready to sing 

You got a wandering eye
It hurts worse than a lie
When I'm thinking you're true
You're looking right thru


The truth of it is yet to come
We've been through hell and some
The test of love will soon bear weight
As hearts and minds will meet their fate 


Wandering Eye

Manipulator 
Words and music ©2016 Mario G. Di Sandro

And when she comes back to you
Seeping into your lonely view
But beware
Of her intentions
Protect your
Heart from her

And so you fall deep in the well
Screaming to get out of this hell
But hold on
The rope is breaking 
She reaches
Only to let go

She'll make you think she's good
She'll make you think she's good for you 
She'll make you think she could 
She'll make you think she would love you 
Manipulator is what she is
Manipulator is who she is 

She tells you the story you need
Then brings you the poison to feed
Don’t swallow
All of her lies
And spit out
Her deception

Don't be fooled by her greed
As she plants her evil seed
She walks in 
So softly 
She leaves so
Destructively

She'll make you think she's good
She'll make you think she's good for you 
She'll make you think she could 
She'll make you think she would love you 
Manipulator is what she is
Manipulator is who she is 

Manipulator

Cars Can't Escape 
Written by Jeff Tweedy and performed by Wilco

When red is bled
And petals blue
And in my sleepless head
Our love's been dead a week or two

Sometimes, good times 
Are stuck inside of you
And then they're gone
But I don't know why

A lot of things have changed 
Since we said goodbye
There were reasons for you to love me 
But I gave you none

So I tap my glass and nod my chin
And wonder who you've been in rhythm with

So time's just time
Cars can't escape
When clouds are gray and close
Not often, too far away

And blue has no value, power, or hue
Or open skies, relationless
Carelessness is what I miss
And that's how I think of you

Sometimes, good times 
Were all we had to do 
So I tap my glass and nod my chin
And wonder who you've been in rhythm with

So I tap my glass and nod my chin
And wonder who you've been in rhythm with


Cars Can't Escape (Wilco cover)

Cowgirl in the Sand 
Written by Neil Young ©1969

Hello cowgirl in the sand
Is this place
at your command
Can I stay here
for a while
Can I see your
sweet sweet smile
Old enough now
to change your name
When so many love you
is it the same?
It's the woman in you
that makes you want
to play this game.

Hello ruby in the dust
Has your band
begun to rust
After all
the sin we've had
I was hopin' that
we'd turn bad
Old enough now
to change your name
When so many love you
is it the same
It's the woman in you
that makes you want
to play this game.

Hello woman of my dreams
This is not
the way it seems
Purple words
on a grey background
To be a woman
and to be turned down
Old enough now
to change your name
When so many love you
is it the same
It's the woman in you
that makes you want
to play this game.

Cowgirl in the Sand (Neil Young cover)

London Dungeon (Misfits cover)
Words and music ©1980 Glenn Danzig

They called us walking corpses
Unholy living dead
They had to lock us up
Put us in their British hell

Make sure your face is clean now
Can't have no dirty dead
All the corpses here are clean, boy
All the Yanks in British hell

I don't wanna be here in your London Dungeon
I don't wanna be here in your British hell
Ain't no mystery why I'm in misery in Hell
Here's hoping you're swell

They called us walking corpses
Unholy living dead
They had to lock us up
Put us in their British hell

I don't wanna be here in your London Dungeon
I don't wanna be here in your British hell
Ain't no mystery why I'm in misery in Hell
Here's hoping you're swell

Make sure your face is clean now
Can't have no dirty dead
All the corpses here are clean, boy
All the Yanks in British hell

I don't wanna be here in your London Dungeon
I don't wanna be here in your British hell
Ain't no mystery why I'm in misery in Hell

Here's hoping you're swell
Here's hoping you're swell
Here's hoping you're swell
Here's hoping you're swell

London Dungeon (Misfits cover)

released 19 July 2011 
Mario Di Sandro; guitars, vocals, organ, e-bow 
Kevin Brown; bass 
Henry Rivera; drums 

All songs written by Mario Di Sandro, ©2005-2011 

Mixed by Kevin Brown and Mario Di Sandro 
Engineered and Mastered by Kevin Brown 
Recorded at Deep River Studio, Lake Station, IN 
Photo of Deep River, Lake Station, IN by Mario Di Sandro 
Photos of inside the recording studio by Kevin Brown and Mario Di Sandro, all lake pictures by Mario Di Sandro. 

This album is dedicated to my mom, without her continued support, constant love and inspiration, this record would not have been possible. I'd also like to thank Kevin Brown for taking the time to record these 5 simple songs and turning them into something much greater than I could have ever imagined. Also, Henry Rivera for learning drums in such a short period of time and really capturing the energy that I was looking for in these songs. 

I'd also like to thank Marcus Reidy for letting me be a neurotic bandmate and force you to try these and other new songs out live even with just a couple of practices in. My other bandmate, Andrew Welebir, for putting up with me for all these years. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have written 'Ricochet' and all the many other songs that came out of that first jam session some 10 years ago. Raul Parra, always an inspiration on drums and getting me to be a more disciplined musician, for that I thank you. Bryan Zehar, for constantly keeping me on my toes and encouraging me to keep playing and writing music, your friendship has proven eternal. Derek Zehar, my other best friend and champion of laughter, thank you for always coming out to the shows and being present and caring about the music that I made. Dave Chrastka for allowing me a glimpse into the music industry so long ago, even if we were much younger, and for supplying me with my first powered Marshall amp—without it I would have stuck to lame sappy acoustic songs. Viva la distortion! 

There are so many others that I would like to thank, and you know who you are. To name a few: My Family, Eric Georgevich, Bearsnake, Larry Artz, Brennan Dortch, Kristine Vesper, Jeni Lukin, Mayra Zuniga, Rachel Komar, Kris Traff (we'll record one day!), Kurt Stirnkorb, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, Liam Finn, Neil Young, John Doe, Star Anna, Justin Davis, Nick La Rocco, John Walski, Brian Wittenberg, Joe Maxfield, Shannon and Erika Owens, Jennifer Murphy, Jessica Sytsma, Jessica Henry, Jessica Jurgenson, Stefanie Motte, Tyler Brinegar, Adam Pluth, Stephanie Plenner, Stephanie Mostowski, Deron Wade, Jasper Dickson, Noah Murphy, Angelo Bundini, Tony Vasquez, Antonello Tito, Ronnie Lotz, Silvie Mitrovich, Brian Bender, John Kucjzak, Mat Festa, Céline Hall, Sara Hofverberg, Laura Trafton, Rob Bleetstein, Emily Sevin, Adam Del Rio, Jillian Valentino, Kelly Chicoine, Katie Kouba, Kim Hoban and so many more.

Highway 1

Love, Hate Kind of Thing

Fallen

Count Your Lucky Stars

The Killing Moon (Echo And The Bunnymen cover) unrehearsed, played live with Jesse Diaz on lead guitar, Danny Sando on bass, David Colòn on piano, Ryan Steel on tambourine

The Killing Moon (Echo And The Bunnymen cover) - Mario Di Sandro and Friends

Tom Petty cover of 'Crawling Back To You', with Dennis Haneda on lead guitar, David Fairchild on bass and backing vocals, Trent Boeschen on drums, Jimmy James Page on piano, and Mario Di Sandro on guitar and vocals. We didn't rehearse this at all. I just told them the chords and changes about 10 seconds before we played. I love when that happens. Such a great night!

Crawling Back To You (Tom Petty cover) - Mario Di Sandro & Friends

Do Not Engage

Here we go again one more time
Same talking points, same ol’ rhyme 
Round and round ‘til the day will end
Waiting to see who will bend  

But you said this
And you said that
But you said this
And you said that
Spread the blame ‘round
As we go a-round 

Do not engage, in this scripted outrage…
We ain’t gonna solve what’s hurting us...
We ain’t gonna solve any-thing 

We’ve never seen eye to eye
And you believe lie after lie
You’d think you’d see right thru this shit
By now you’ve been taking some many a hit

But you said this
And you said that
But you said this
And you said that
Spread the blame ‘round
As we go a-round 

Do not engage, in this scripted outrage…
We ain’t gonna solve what’s hurting us...
We ain’t gonna solve any-thing 

Here we go again one more time
Same garbage talk, same ol’ line
Ain’t coming close to getting thru
You won’t listen no matter who  But you said this
And you said that
But you said this
And you said that
Spread the blame ‘round
As we go a-round 

Do not engage, in this scripted outrage…
We ain’t gonna solve what’s hurting us...
We ain’t gonna solve any-thing 

Nuh-nah-nuh-nah nah nah-nah nah!

Words and music written by Mario G. Di Sandro 
©️ 2020 Cover The Brake Publishing and Dog n’ a Half Records

Do Not Engage

PyrrhicYou would not believe What he said This time Oh, not again Sometimes the wordsHe saysAre landminesPlaced on the floor They get under skinThey raiseMy bloodThe pressure boilsWe’re run, run, running, running out of time Slow motion train-wreck plowing down the line No matter how far, how hard we fightIt always seems like we lose the light What can we doThis timeIt feels All hope is lost They don’t relentOr recoilTheir mindsAll filled with hate We’re fighting a warOn truthThis worldHas never seenWe’re run, run, running, running out of time Slow motion trainwreck plowing down the line No matter how far, how hard we fightIt always seems like we lose the light Would it be at too great of a costWhen looking back at all that was lost This pyrrhic notion is no victory at allYour pathetic empire won’t stand tallHe’s on one againHe baits And waitsDog whistles blowsWe’re run, run, running, running out of time Slow motion trainwreck plowing down the line No matter how far, how hard we fightIt always seems like we lose the light

Words and music written by Mario G. Di Sandro 
©️ 2020 Cover The Brake Publishing and Dog n’ a Half Records

Pyrrhic

Navigating The Waters

Navigating the waters in this confusing time
Listening for the rhythm and trying to catch the rhyme
When all you have is confusion and missed signs
And a soulless instigator shouting recycled lines

Swimming thru channels of truth and lies
Try not fall victim to these digital spies
Waiting on the outskirts to corrupt your eyes
Feeding your mind with ideas to try on for size

How stupid have we become?
By letting in the wolves
For undoing all that we’ve done
Feel how the evil pulls
See how far we’ll go
Oh, but I don’t want to know...

Sinking in rough currents, trying not to drown
In the musings of a madman, this orange clown
While the death count grows, you wear a permanent frown
As loved ones you’d hope to see, are no longer around

Floating to the surface, our last breath exhales
With families in mourning, halls filled with cries and wails 
How when a system meant to protect us, utterly fails
By a clueless captain trying to bleed wind from the sails

How stupid have we become?
By letting in the wolves
For undoing all that we’ve done
Feel how the evil pulls
See how far we’ll go
Oh, but I don’t want to know...

See how far we’ll go
Oh, but I don’t want to know
No, I don’t want to know...

(we can change, we can grow, we can know and know)

Words and music written by Mario G. Di Sandro 
©️ 2020 Cover The Brake Publishing and Dog n’ a Half Records

Navigating The Waters

Uncertainty

Treading lightly
Don’t wake the baby
Level off, how?
That’s not my pay grade
Unfurl your flag now
And begin to wave

Wanting freedom
At others expense
Occupational
Bio-terror resistancé
We wear the colors
Of false pretense

This un-certainty 
Is all in your head
If you believe it
Then you’re already dead

Load ‘em up, boys!
We need attention
We’ll mock the victims
And sow dissension
But Father learned us, and
Mom’s condescension

We need things now when
We becomes me
Oh, how demanding
To be set free
Such intransigence 
They’ll never agree

This un-certainty 
Is all in your head
If you believe it
Then you’re already dead
This false patriotism
Has gotten out of hand 
So take no refuge here
In this scoundrel land 

This un-certainty 
Is all in your head
If you believe it
Then you’re already dead
This blind loyalty 
Has gotten out of hand 
So take no refuge here
In this scoundrel land

Uncertainty

Correction

We skipped the line and never looked back
Kept on destroying with no recollect 
Never thinking how this would come back
Now we’re face to face, stack to stack. 

They take a little, then a little bit more
You never noticed because you were too poor
Scraping the bottom of this middle-class war
Never realizing the middle was no more 

With the dead bodies of the unknown 
We ignored all the signs that were shown 
We’re all victims of a future unintended 
We beg for relief, our lives upended. 

This is a correction 
Mother Nature puttin’ us on our knees
A new direction
Helping each other, fight off our disease 

Can’t look the beast straight in the eye
Tail between our legs, and believing the lie
Giving up our minds, we don’t even to try 
Crawling across the floor, just waiting to die

They take a little, then a little bit more
You never noticed because you were too poor
Scraping the bottom of this middle-class war
Never realizing the middle was no more 

With the dead bodies of the unknown 
We ignored all the signs that were shown 
We’re all victims of a future unintended 
We beg for relief, our lives upended. 

This is a correction 
Mother Nature puttin’ us on our knees
A new direction
Helping each other, fight off our disease 

Words and music written by Mario G. Di Sandro 
©️Copyright 2020 Cover The Brake Publishing and Dog n’ a Half Records

Correction

Wasn’t Supposed To Be Like This

Wasn’t supposed to be like this
The world’s changed and gone to piss
Had so much hope to start anew
Packed for a life I thought I knew 

Thanks to a friend, I got a space
Thinking finally, oh this is the place 
Had so much hope for the human race
Holding cards, won’t show my ace 

Sometimes the unexpected arrives
Sometimes tidal waves they rise 
Sometimes all you can do is sigh
Sometimes your dreams they go to die
Sometimes balance is restored
Sometimes nature cannot be ignored 

Blue skies and always sunny days
Found me a job that finally pays 
Was making changes to my old ways
Traded all for a life of play 

You never know when things’ll go to shit
Every time I think I’m at the end of my wit
The world comes and tells me to sit
With all these thoughts just for a bit

Sometimes the unexpected arrives
Sometimes tidal waves they rise 
Sometimes all you can do is sigh
Sometimes your dreams they go to die
Sometimes balance is restored
Sometimes nature cannot be ignored 

©️Copyright 2020 Cover The Brake Publishing and Dog n’ a Half Records

Wasn't Supposed To Be Like This

Mario Di Sandro is a Singer-Songwriter from Chicago, now living in Los Angeles. He moved to the Bay Area in June of 2011 and settled into the foggy and cool Outer Sunset neighborhood in San Francisco shortly after. Relocating to sunny and warm Los Angeles in 2020, a month before the pandemic struck. 

Mario has been writing lyrics ever since he stopped paying attention during class in high school. In 2000 he started putting those lyrics to music and in 2001 he formed his first band Bad Frequency. Various hiatuses and 7 drummers later, they reformed in 2005 and 2008 as On The Lam. 

Amassing several hundred original songs in his personal repertoire and hundreds of covers. He has since recorded and released 11 solo studio albums, 2 live albums, 1 covers album in a short 8 year period; Lessons (Learned) [2011], Live at the 100+ Year Old Church (40 song live album) [2012] Live at Osteria [2012], Give and Take [2013], Loneliness [2014], Things Since You [2015], You Are a Stranger Here, But Once… [2015], Forsaken and Forlorn [2015], World Gone Mad [2016], Under the Cover (covers album) [2016], Walk a Mile [2017], and his last release Watch It All Burn Down [2018]. Break Free [2020] was released just as the COVID-19 pandemic crippled the economy and shut down so many every day activities, like seeing live music performances. Busy with a lot of extra free time, he’s released another new album Pándēmos [2020] related to our current dire and uncertain times during the pandemic. Currently working on the next album tentatively titled Quandary’.

Mario Di Sandro

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