My Two Front Teeth

Hmm. He loves the Cars, who had a hit with "My Best Friend's Girlfriend." So perhaps it was inevitable that Mike Russo would form an acoustic duo with Amy Monacello. When they attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), he dated Erin, Amy's best friend and roommate.

During their IUP days, Russo and Monacello occasionally performed at open-mic nights. This past summer, at Erin's wedding, Monacello and Russo got to talking, as friends do

"Hey! We ought to perform together again," they said

Guess what? They're doing it Wednesday at Borders Books & Music, where Russo used to work. These days, he lives in Saugerties, N.Y., and works for Concert Ideas, a promoter which books performers at colleges (including Train at Edinboro last fall). He also plays in a band called Teenage Girls

Anyhow, Russo visits Erie often. He and Monacello plan to use that time performing as My Two Front Teeth. He plays acoustic guitar. She sings, but also plays a little guitar. They've got different tastes, but respect each other's choices

My Two Front Teeth will play songs by all the above and more at Borders

"We put the songs together, and it sounded good," said Russo, who's father Mike played in Erie band Russo-Minor and with Sam Hyman. "She's got such a great voice, I want her to get the performing."

"He's very supportive of me," Monacello said

Russo and Monacello talked about My Two Front Teeth with Showcase.

HOMETOWN
Erie; Saugerties, N.Y.

BAND MEMBERS
Amy Monacello, lead vocals, guitar; Mike Russo, guitar, vocals.

SETLIST
Diverse, with a bit of country (Martina McBride, Alison Krauss), vintage new wave (Cure, Peter Gabriel), and current alternative (Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service).

INFLUENCES
Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride, and "my mom," says Monacello. Russo has a wide range: '80s new wave (Cars, Police, Peter Gabriel), '90s metal (Metallica, Megadeth, Tool).

WHAT'S IN YOUR CD PLAYER NOW?
"'Travistan' by Travis Morrison, who used to be in Dismemberment Plan," says Russo. Monacello says Alison Krauss and Union Station.

LAST GREAT CONCERT YOU
SAW Megadeth, says Russo. "I've been a huge fan. The Dave Mustaine injured his hand, and never thought he'd play again. I fell on the ice and had to go through physical therapy to fix my hand, so there's an empathy there. And he was phenomenal. He sounded as good as he ever has." Monacello says Newsboys, Todd Agnew, and Rebecca St. James at the Warner in Erie.

ARTIST YOU'D MOST LIKE TO OPEN FOR
"I'd love to go out with the Dixie Chicks or Martina McBride," says Monacello. "The Dixie Chicks are great musicians. Martina, she's just all lungs."

Russo: "Tom Waits. Nothing could be cooler. He's just a guy who does the best shows no one ever sees. He only does like three dates. He doesn't feel like touring anymore. He has a roomful of people who aren't there because they've seen him on TV. They know every single second of every song of his. That's such a cool atmosphere."

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