advocate for music, people, planet
drummer, soundman, mixer, tech director, provider, producer, critical listener
wordsmith, proprietor at newfangled fanzine called "facebook" 

I use SoundCloud to keep a record of my original songs. Some tracks were recorded live in studio with great musicians, and some tracks i used Logic to record in my extremely makeshift home studio. But if you take the time to listen, if you have the ears to hear,  you’ll hear some great songs with lyrics that mean something, a light in the darkness of the world today, short little stories with lovely melodies and song structure. Yours to enjoy for free, my friends.

Award Winning News with Paul DeRienzo. Identified by Peace Action New York State for showing up consistently to cover stories ignored by mass media. Honored at the William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Peacemaker Awards 2022.

Since its inception, Unit F has been walking the fine line of socio-political consciousness and chaos with their own amalgam of dark punk, deathrock and esoteric rock.  The approach is a dynamic yet defined sound, showing an awareness of punk rock’s musical heritage and its decided trademark charge of the need for social and political change so typically absent from popular culture.

In 2020 Unit F announced the additions of drummer Andy David and Peter Moreno on bass following the late 2019 departures of Guillermo Santacruz and Phil Moore which effectively hit the pause button on the release of its fourth full length, which is now planned for 2020 to stand alongside Ecocide: Songs of Dysfunction (2018), Comes The Day (2014) and American Shutdown (2009). The new self-produced effort signaled a return to friend and producer Jim Monroe (Adolescents, Fu Manchu, Manic Hispanic, CJ Ramone) who was responsible for previous full lengths (along with Greg Hetson), as well as the hard charging Same Ol’ Story EP (2012).   

By the summer of 2019, the recording process yielded a four song ‘single/ep’ which will be self-released in March of 2020 , along with several new music videos (Joe Gill producing). The songs include Memo (To Myself), Human Zoo, Jesus Saves, and It’s Okay. That same chemistry and the penchant for songwriting that became Ecocide, is on full display with these numbers, with a unique view of the systematic appropriation of the individual by the corporate system (Memo), a dour look at the homeless crisis witnessed first hand (Human Zoo), and a dangerously sarcastic look at the hypocrisy of the political evangelicals (Jesus Saves). The final barrage is saved for the sneering tongue in cheek It’s Okay, lamenting the everyday wasting process of our collective complacency.

The current the lineup began will continue playing as a four piece, still led by original vocalist Mel Schantz who pens the lyrics and mans the vocals. It is a quicker if not louder, more dynamic and version of the band, with Andy David’s expressive drums, and the wall of guitar effect by Dave Costa.  Combined with Peter Moreno’s driving bass lines and backing vocals, Unit F’s sound fills up the room as well as it translates to the big stage.

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