East Coat natives, Brain Lanese, founder/songwriter/lead vox, Gary Rinaldi, drummer, Steve Andino, bass, and lone West Coaster, Nick Gordon, lead guitar of Permanent Ability, bring their infectious blend of funk/rock/alternative to the music scene fresh from adopted home, Los Angles. If you haven't heard of them yet, don't worry, you will.

Fronted by Brian Lanese, who has familial ties to two famous writers, Mark Twain, yes, that one, Samuel Clemens, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, it's no small wonder this talented lyricist creates vivid imagery and explosive lyrics that appeals to a universal audience. And this isn't taking away from the rest of the guys. As Lanese emphatically asserts, Permanent Ability in this particular lineup, is a team effort, fusing years of diverse musical backgrounds and experience into one tight sound.

Permanent Ability formed in early 2008, and has gone through growing pains typical of nascent bands. Their first EP From the Womb to Hollywood featuring appearances by Parliament Funkadelic bassist, Lige Curry, enjoyed a string of success, including winning the Best Male Frontman award by Rock City News Hollywood. Kudos.

But the real story is their most recent six-track EP, Bring It On. Bring It On was recorded at the legendary 4th Street Recording Studio in Santa Monica, where the Beach Boys perfected recorded "Kokomo". Under the direction of famed producer, Jim Wirt, whose credits include, No Doubt, Hoobastank, Live, and Jack's Mannequin, Permanent Ability's sophomore effort promises to titillate even the pickiest of listeners.

For starters, "Shades of Gray" has a distinctly Red Hot Chili Peppers sound, "Girls" would make the Beastie Boys proud, and "Sex Junkie" should be every teenaged boy's anthem.

Permanent Ability has booked some of the most famous venues on both coasts to overwhelming crowd support. Gracing the stage of iconic venues like the Viper Room, Whiskey A Go Go, and Roxy Theatre in LA, to some of New York's most notables, Permanent Ability is firing through the nation bringing a big bang with every stop.

Permanent Ability is on a mission to coat the airwaves with their catchy hooks and imaginative lyrics. Seems like they've been doing their job. Rumor has it labels have recently woken-up to Permanent Ability and have expressed more than a passing interest in their work.

antiMusic had the opportunity to chew the fat with the band's founder, Brian Lanese. He couldn't be a more pleasant, professional, and passionate dude. Not to mention one of the funniest interviews I've had. Read through. He has a killer tour story.

Lanese is the kind of band leader you want on your side. He has the fortitude to make things happen and to create opportunities where few exist. He isn't afraid to take on the big, bad, music industry, and to claw his way to the top. He does what few bands are doing this day and age, he hits the pavement running with a product he can sell, without selling out, and has all the faith in the world behind it. Sometimes blind faith is all you need.

antiMusic: How long have you been playing together?

Brian Lanese: Nick (lead guitarist) and I have been together for 2 � years; our drummer Gary and bassist Dino recently joined the band last September. Gary and I were good friends for about a year or so before he joined. When I first saw him perform back in 2008, I was very impressed; and secretively at the time wanted him to be our drummer. But the timing just wasn't right to get him aboard, and our lineup at the time was working. As for Dino we connected online with an ad he posted. We saw something in him, and had him back for a 2nd audition. Glad we did too�cuz he killed it, and the rest is history. Considering the short time this lineup has been together, we are rapidly making massive strides, and our chemistry is uncanny, not only as people, but as musicians, and the four of us compliment each other musically and it shows on this record. Especially onstage, we feed off one another's energy, which gets channeled into explosive live performances. But we are confident our new EP Bring It On! is going to make some noise. Plus, it's Produced by Jim Wirt.

antiMusic: What's the story behind the band's name?

Brian Lanese: Well I had this philosophy, god gave us a gift, in our case being art and music, and it is permanently rooted in us for life; and even if we wanted to get rid of that talent, that talent is an ability that will always be ours, and its up to us to decide whether to use it, abuse it, or let it go to idle. So based on that philosophy, we felt name Permanent Ability suited us, and the creative abundance given to us as individuals, when we come together as one unit, has proven that we are using such gifts to inspire hearts and minds, and using them as our canvas.

antiMusic: How would you describe your sound?

Brian Lanese: We have an original sound that fuses Alternative Rock, Metal, and Funk. We are comparable to Rage Against the Machine, Incubus, and older Red Hot Chili Peppers. But we have tons of other influences that can be heard in our music, such as the Police, and Led Zeppelin too. Ultimately� it sounds like nothing out there but Permanent Ability. It's simply very fresh, and we defined a new original sound to hopefully revive the funk rock genre.

antiMusic: You seem to have a successful grassroots campaign going. Has your band matured as a result of your recent successes?

Brian Lanese: For sure! We understand the responsibility we have towards our music and our fans. We've been jokingly saying how we've finally reached puberty. Maturity isn't a bad thing as long as you stay true to yourself and the music. We like to keep it raw, and in your face, except now we use a condom.

antiMusic: Talk about the Rockies award and what it means to you as a band?

Brian Lanese: In December 2008, we were six months on the scene at the time in Los Angeles, and we were awarded in the voting categories for "Best Male Frontman" & "Best Male Bassist" representing all of Hollywood. It was a great feeling of accomplishment to be recognized for our hard work, and in such a short time frame. Our sucker punch of Funk to the over saturated 80's hair band resurgence, also gave us the advantage. Instead of trying to fit into a mold of what's "in" we simply were doing what we love and it paid off. Believe me, leopard spandex pants isn't a good look for us.

antiMusic: On your new EP, "Bring It On!" you worked with Incubus, No Doubt, Hoobastank's producer Jim Wirt. How did that come about? Who had the connection?

Brian Lanese: It almost didn't happen actually. But I started researching album credits of records we as a band loved. Contacting producers like Kevin Shirley (Rush, & Zeppelin) and Butch Vig (Nirvana) even Michael Beinhorn (Red Hot Chili Peppers). Then I finally came across Incubus's S.C.I.E.N.C.E that Jim produced�I haven't heard that album in years, and we all loved that album. Also, when I read Jim's name in the credits, I can remember that butterfly feeling in my gut telling me this is the guy! I simply contacted his manager, and set up the meeting. He came out to watch us play live in December, loved it, loved the demos we send him, and It snowballed so quickly we aimed for to begin in April. Jim told me once we completed the record that if I contacted him two weeks prior then I did he would have turned us down. At the time, he was trying to make a career change, and was working a desk job for some company as a Pro-Tools engineer, and gave up producing altogether. Once the realization hit me that in a way, this was meant to be, it proves, luck, and being in the right place at the right time really is all part of this business. So always listen to your gut!

antiMusic: Were there egos to contend with? Any good stories?

Brian Lanese: We all have pretty big egos, but we all had great vibes going into this recording, and although it had stressful moments, we all checked our egos at the door, and kept it professional.

antiMusic: What was it like working with Jim Wirt?

Brian Lanese : I know this is soooo clich�, but it really was an honor, cuz we were a fans. He is like a mad scientist when he works, and its immensely inspiring. At one point we started calling him�Jim "The Jedi" Wirt cuz he's a master at his craft. He has such passion for ALL music, and he just let us do our thing. He gave 200% of himself to our project, and has a talented ear. At the time your like what the f**k is he hearing that I'm not, and then once you take his suggestion, hear the play back, you get it. Completely blowing your mind by the minute detail he just taught you. Best experience of our life as a band, and the camaraderie we've all formed making this record is something that we will all share together the rest of our lives. We found a true friend in Jim, and vice versa. He became a fifth member of the band after it was all said and done.

antiMusic: What did he bring to the table?

Brian Lanese: Jim not only brought the table, but the entire dining room set with enough to feed all of Los Angeles. Ya know what I mean! We just brought our music and instruments, and let him do his thing, as he respectfully gave to us in return.

antiMusic: Did he help your band develop your sound? If so, how?

Brian Lanese: Well we knew we had developed something to the point that we were ready to record it. Gary and Dino brought something heavier and fresh to the foundation Nick and I already built previously before they stepped in. They really complimented us even more from Nick's playing style, and to my aggressive deliver of lyrics at times it rounded out what wasn't there with our previous members. Jim though, not only helped us develop it more, but also defined it, and captured it on this record. We finally took all our influences and fused them into one style that is now Permanent Ability.

There is nothing like it out there, and no one is doing this particular style of music, also giving us an advantage. We wanted to revive the funk rock genre with this record, and be the next to dig up that dying genre that people are still passionate for. Our love for this genre of music and respect for its predecessors is what makes us so passionate to really give it life again. Funk Rock is still alive in the hearts of music lovers everywhere, and its one of the hardest genres to be successful in, but I'm confident we've achieved that as well with Bring It On!.

antiMusic: What was the hardest editing choice to overcome?

Brian Lanese: Although it's inevitable, the hardest thing is editing out explicit lyrics, or changing instrumental parts. We really didn't change much of the arrangements however, we simply added to the choruses making them bigger. Introducing new layers of sounds, and vocal harmonies leading to the climax of the song. We aren't afraid to f**k with theory and experiment, as long at it has a purpose and supports verse and a chorus with an infectious hook to keep it radio friendly.

antiMusic: You have put out two EP's so far. Why no studio?

Brian Lanese: I know. No studio simply cuz all our funding comes from our own hard earned money. You think a drug habbit is expensive, try a music career. The 1st EP From the Womb to Hollywood I released myself back in 2008, it features Lige Curry of Parliament Funkadelic on Bass. I produced it and hired the musicians to play on it, and It received some success selling over 1500+ units globally in its 1st three months with continued success due to the strong songs; but it failed to capture the original sound that I was looking for, which can only be achieved by working with other band members, bringing their style to it, and developing it over time. With Bring It On! we've worked the songs and developed our own sound with Jim Wirt. Having him step in when he did, with this particular lineup, we've finally accomplished that and hopefully now this will get us the opportunity for some major funding to back us to complete a full length.

antiMusic: Is there one in the works?

Brian Lanese: Well we have more than enough material to make an album. And again we are hoping that Bring It On! can generate the funding, or fall on the right ears to help get us to that goal. I'll tel ya one thing though, we'd definitely wanna work with Jim again, and finish what we've started. Once you've built that team and it works you don't wanna f**k with it. If it aint broke don't fix it kinda theory.

antiMusic: What is the hardest song to play live?

Brian Lanese: Right now it's our new ballad Last to Know, just cuz its so new to me, but with time and practice it will soon become second nature like the rest of our set.

antiMusic: What is your favorite song to play live?

Brian Lanese: Sex Junkie. Cuz all four of us explode to the music, and we are so animated and full of raw energy. Although�that's pretty much are entire set, but Sex Junkie�we've dubbed it the "Eck" cuz it's our set closer, or our musical Dennis Eckersley. (a famous Oakland A's baseball closer)

antiMusic: Talk about the creative process?

Brian Lanese: Well there really isn't a set formula to how our creative process works. We are open to everything as long as we get a good song in the end. When we write sometimes, I'll bring in a scratch track of an entire song I created in Garage Band using loops. Sometimes improv is when a lot of magic happens and we find parts of songs and develop them. Just recently, Dino and Gary had worked this drum 'n bass piece that Nick and I just had to find parts for cuz it is amazing. It really all depends on who presents what. But it's definitely a TEAM effort in our creative process with this lineup.

antiMusic: Where does your inspiration come from?

Brian Lanese: We draw our inspiration from all kinds of different music. From Jimi Hendrix to LL Cool J, and everything in between. There really isn't one specific thing. We even like to educate ourselves even on the sh*t we refuse to listen to, because sometimes listening to sh*t like that can teach you another trick of the trade, and fuel your inspiration to make something better.

antiMusic: Who does the writing?

Brian Lanese: Up until this record I've written the majority of our songs, letting the rest of the band fused their playing style to it. But with Bring It On!, we co-wrote as a band three songs: Last to Know, Shades of Gray, and Good At Losing. Although Good At Losing didn't make the record (due to time)�it's a strong song, and should be released later this year with a few more.

antiMusic: Are lyrics or melodies important to you?

Brian Lanese: Both are equally as important. A good lyric is the foundation of the vocal melodies I create, and sometimes vice versa. When I write a hook to a song, I want it to capture the listener instantly. I like to use a less is more approach, but I want the listener to relate to what I'm delivering by keeping it universal, but painting a vivid picture for them to see and relate it to their own experiences.

antiMusic: So the songs mean the same thing they did the day they were written?

Brian Lanese: Yes. They instantly take us back to that point of our lives when we wrote em, and more so for me lyrically when I sing em it's a time warp back to the place I was and how I felt when I wrote em.

antiMusic: Do you have a favorite state to perform in?

Brian Lanese: Mine personally is Connecticut, which is where I'm originally from. Los Angeles, New York, and Columbus have been tons of fun too, and breed passionate fans. But it's always good to go home. People f**king go ape sh*t!

antiMusic: Where have been the best fans so far?

Brian Lanese: It's hard to say we cuz we LOVE all our fans, and everywhere we go we put on a highly menacing and energetic Live show, that each venue, even venues we think we don't fit in well at respond positively to us and the music.

antiMusic: What is the worst on the road story you have? The best?

Brian Lanese: This can be taken good or bad depending on how you look at it, but I personally think it's a classic story I own. I was in New York City last summer on tour and I was coming back from Brooklyn kind of late at night. I get off the subway to change trains and BAM�I see this FLUORESCENT PINK vagina glowing at me from across the platform. Apparently this heavy set black chick felt the need to relieve herself on a garbage can and I walked out while she was wiping. Best part about it�the chick turns to me (cuz I must a been like a deer in headlights with my mouth floored) and says, "What's the matter white boy, we all pink on the inside!" F**king classic!!! I love New York City!

antiMusic: Did you ever feel like you should pack it all in and go back to your day job?

Brian Lanese: I'm a let you in on a little secret (whispering) we never left our day jobs. It isn't like it used to be back in the day. If it were we'd already have representation. Now it's do it all yourself, and try to get lucky. The music industry isn't what it used to be, especially in a recession, signing talent has got to be a sure thing. We're getting close though, labels have finally taken interest, but I can't discuss any further.

antiMusic: What's the biggest challenge you have faced personally?

Brian Lanese: Learning to have patience. There is NO formula to making it, no matter how hard you work. There is NO guarantee in this business, your career will be limited, and there definitely is NO security unless you are on a Rolling Stones status. That was a challenge for me, and a tough pill to swallow, but would it all be worth it if it happened�you bet, cuz we EARNED it! That's why we do it.

antiMusic: What is the biggest obstacle the band has overcome?

Brian Lanese: I think the setback of starting over with new members a couple times. That's such a grueling process, and you need a lot of patience. However, a lot of times it's a blessing in disguise really, cuz you got to let the band evolve into what its going to become to create its own unique back-story. They other obstacle is being underestimated especially here in LA, everyone sees you as being just another band, but we've seemed carved out a niche.

antiMusic: How do you relieve stress on tour?

Brian Lanese: I relieve myself by privately rubbing my private.

antiMusic: If you could tour with anyone who would it be?

Brian Lanese: Incubus, 311, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers would be in our top three. Or any band of this caliber for that matter, but we don't care as long as they are similar in genre to expand our fan base.

antiMusic: How do you think technology is changing the way bands promote themselves and get the attention of labels?

Brian Lanese: I feel it gives us bands the advantage to prove our product can sell. Remember, no one will promote your music more passionately than YOU anyways. Plus the upside for now at least, is you obtain all the rights to your music, and you become your own label in a sense. Now don't get me wrong, our goal is to achieve a record deal, but the industry is in shambles right now, and idling on this cusp of bands still needing labels for funding and promotion, and labels still needing bands to stay afloat�that simple. The game has changed so much, but I hope the moral of the industry can too. Although technology may have tarnished the face of the music industry a bit, it's one helleva tool to help a young bands career, and draw attention to what matters most�.the music.

antiMusic: Has the Internet made it easier or harder for a band to get signed?

Brian Lanese: It depends really. Fortunately, we've worked to have a strong web presence. But popular social networking sites get SO saturated with sh*t, anyone who has access to a computer, and "think" they're musicians, can upload music. Meaning, sifting through all the sh*t takes a while for good bands to get noticed due to the saturation. We are confident in our music, and work our balls off, and w/a little luck here and there, we feel we will receive more attention of good labels at some point. With that said�it's a cup is half empty or half full question.

antiMusic: What's next?

Brian Lanese: Well our goal is to keep doing what we are doing, and promote our new record Bring It On! hoping it can generate enough noise to get us to the golden goal, and the opportunity to record a full length with some backing behind it. In the meantime, get all our tour dates and more on Permanent Ability by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace. Be good.