Rock ‘n’ Roll High School 18: Did I Mention I Like Rush?

Thomas Juliano rockin' it in middle school and today.

When Thomas Juliano first sent me his answers to the RNRHS questions, he insisted that this very process was itself, exactly like high school. He thought everyone else’s answers were way cooler than his, although he later added, “I think half of these people were actually listening to Human League and The Outfield. Thelonious Monk my arse!”.   He really shouldn’t give himself a hard time about the whole Rush thing.  Lots of guys liked Rush in high school–the only question is whether any of them saw any action during this phase of their lives.  I seem to remember a mention of Rush being a male chastity belt in a previous RNRHS…  One thing most people don’t know about Thomas is that aside from being funny as hell, an amazing guitarist (he plays in Seven Mary Three), and an expert Lego builder, he is also the best-ever dinner guest.   He has this thing about wanting to clean your kitchen for you.  Seriously.  Steve and I once sat at our bar and drank wine while we watched him wash dishes.  He even wiped down the counters.  Sound promising, eh, ladies?  Sounds like he may have risen above the whole Rush thing.

Thomas Juliano

Holy Cross High School, Queens, NY, Class of 1984, Currently: playing guitar for a living.

Band and/or song that reminds you the most of high school: “The Spirit of Radio” Rush. I know, I know. Shut up! Don’t judge me!

Favorite piece of music memorabilia from high school: My life size poster of Jimi Hendrix that hung right next to my giant poster of Led Zeppelin across from my giant poster of The Who.

Also, my Bob Dylan concert tee that I stole from my much cooler sister.  She is a few years older than me, and if it weren’t for her exceptional musical taste, I would never have heard Neil Young’s “Harvest”

Band you hated that everyone else at school seemed to love: Hair bands like Def Leppard. Bands that misspelled the words deaf and leopard.

Best show or concert you saw in high school: My first gig was in junior high school. We rocked all 20 of those kids in that gymnasium.

We had 3 guitar players and no bass player. We played songs from AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd.  We sounded absolutely terrible, but I’ve been trying to have a show like that again for years.

I guess that Van Halen concert I saw at the Garden in 1984 was pretty cool as well. (David Lee Roth era) I know, I know. Shut up!

The Optional Question: Best high school make-out song?  Make out? In high school!? Did I mention I liked Rush?