The Douglas Michael Show with guest Sal Polichetti of "Sonseed"

Hello readers, welcome to a very special edition of Dougsploitation's The Douglas Michael Show. For those of you unfamiliar with the back story of my relationship/obsessesion with Sonseed, here it is in a nutshell.

I've owned a VHS tape of Sonseed performing "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" on an episode the WNBC TV show THE FIRST ESTATE for over 25 years. I've shown it to hundreds of people over the years. People of all faiths and people of no faith all just seemed to LOVE it. In August of 2008, a friend of mine converted it to digital and I posted it on Vimeo and also here on this very blog. Some crafty person stole it from Vimeo and put it on YouTube and before you knew, people all around the world were singing along with Sal Polichetti and the band. I later stole it back and posted it on YouTube myself as well- as have countless others. 2 Million viewings, several parodies and covers later, the song and the video had taken on a life of their own.

Soon after I posted the video, I was able, through a series of lucky circumstances, to get an exclusive interview with Sal, which I posted on this blog as a "Dougsploitation News Special Report". My daily visitors suddenly went from around 8 to over 8000 because there was no information about Sonseed available anywhere other than here...and then accusations began to fly that I made the whole thing up. That was fun. I even got to do a few interviews myself because of that. Now, a year later, I sit across from Sal Polichetti in a diner in Manhattan's Chelsea and we talk like old friends.
Doug : Hey Sal, it's great to talk to you again - almost a year later and this time FACE-TO-FACE! Welcome to my virtual talk-show - and my first on-location interview! If someone told me a year ago that I'd be sitting in a diner in Chelsea across from Sal from Sonseed, I would NEVER believe them. Life is strange sometimes.

Sal: You can take the boy out of Brooklyn but you can't take Brooklyn out of the boy. Although you've been living in California and I've been living upstate NY for quite some time it was obvious where we came from. Not everyone would understand that (you have to be from "New Yawk").

Doug: It's good to be back home, even if it is just for a quick visit. As you know, since I first posted the Sonseed video on my blog last year, you might say that things have kinda gotten outta control. Before Sonseed I had about 8 readers a day - then it was about 8000 a day. So, how has YOUR life changed in the past year?

Sal: I've never had a fan club in Sweden before! My brother-in-law forwarded it to me last week. I don't know what they're saying but I assume it's positive. I've also never done a telephone interview for a morning drive-time radio station in Sydney, Australia either (it's true; every other word out of their mouths is "mate"). I guess it's the wide scope of this whole thing that amazes me!

Doug: Wow, Sweden, Australia - you are an international superstar! There must be at least a dozen Facebook fan clubs. Did you ever think that Sonseed would be out on CD and available in stores like Best Buy? How did that all come about?
Sal: Greg Glover from Arena Rock in Oregon contacted me. He distributes a lot of indie, out-of-the-box stuff and thought this might be fun. We couldn't use the entire album due to copyright restrictions but most of the good stuff is there.
Doug: Oh, and it's so cool that I got a special "thank you" on the CD! What has been the reaction of your family...and friends to Sonseed's resurgence?
Sal: My sisters and their kids are blown away. I guess when you're a teenager and your old uncle Sal is a "YouTube" star that's big cred at school. My kids are sort of used to it; they've been seeing me perform in plays and with the band their whole lives. But I am waiting for my son to use "have you seen my dad on YouTube?" as a pick-up line.Doug: That's hysterical! Mabye he can get a tee-shirt made via Cafe Press that says that? I have to tell you, the part that makes me the happiest about this whole thing is you were able to reconnect with old friends because of all this and that it brought some happiness to Brother John before he passed away.
Sal: Everyone I've gotten in touch with has been really cool about the whole thing. It was great re-connecting with Frank Franco again (besides the annual Christmas card exchange) and we've actually met a few times in the past year. There are still some Sonseeders I haven't heard from yet. I find it hard to believe they all haven't heard about this whole thing. Maybe they're pissed off. Maybe they're embarrassed. Hard to tell.

Doug: Maybe they just don't have internet access yet? You've recently appeared on stage with a few bands- performing "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" to sold-out crowds. That must have been and incredible experience. So what's next for you? What's next for Sonseed?

Sal: Same old for me. I just finished doing "The Sunshine Boys" at a small theater in Walden, NY and I'm now in rehearsals for "Kiss Me Kate" in Monroe, NY. I still play old rock and roll with 3 other old guys every so often (my first love, actually). As far as Sonseed I suppose that's it. It would probably take "Beatle reunion" type cash to get all of us in the same place at the same time again. Frankly, I don't see that happening.

Doug: Well, if that reunion happens, I wanna be there! I just have to say what an extreme pleasure it has been meeting you in person and getting to know you. I only wish I had posted the video YEARS ago, but I'm so glad I finally did.

Sal: Same for me, brother. I don't know how I would have handled this years ago but I'm in a good place in my life right now and was able to enjoy it.Doug: Thanks again for talking to me and helping put my blog on the map. I love that your family sent me a "Hi Doug" photo. That is so sweet! All my best to your daughter Christina, your wife Donna and your son Joseph. I love that I can now say that "Sal Polichetti is a Friend of Mine"!Sal: Same to you and all you care about. If we ever get out to LA, we'll do this again!

Doug: I look forward to it - LA has a lots of great diners for us to hang out in. Oh by the way, I recently got to re-screen the video at Dennis Hensley's HOME VIDEO GONG SHOW at the REDCAT Theater at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A. - it did not get gonged this time! Here it is again, for old time's sake...ZAP!

In Search of "Sonseed" - Day 4

As I continue to gather clues as to who the elusive members of "Sonseed" really are (as opposed to the fake bios I've invented for them - see below), I received an email from Larry at Vinyl Rehab:

"...i don't know anything about them except i think they are from brooklyn ny. the album is white with a plant beginning to grow"

Hmm...Brooklyn? I guess it makes sense since the lead singer is named "Sal," a very Brooklyn-esque name. Wait a minute - Brooklyn??? - that's where I was born!!! What if this quest to find out more about "Sonseed" is also where I find out something about myself? This is where, if this was a movie trailer, the announcer would mention "the triumph of the human spirit". Wow...I hope I'm not becoming "born again"...but what if it's my destiny to not only track down "Sonseed, " but to join them in their crusade??? Imagine me...a member of a groovy Christian ska band..Um, no way. Anyways, Larry also sent me the track listing for the album:
"SONSEED" -FIRST FRUIT
"BORN OF THE FLESH" - sounds like a horror film!
"ANOTHER KIND OF LOVE SONG" - didn't Prince write this?
"JESUS IS A FRIEND OF MINE" - YAY! The classic! And all along I've been calling it "Jesus is My Friend". 
"THE GOSPEL SHIP" - A Disney theme park ride?
"SONSEED" - wow, a song about themselves! Like when "Le Chic" recorded "The Freak"
"THE OPENED DOOR" - sounds spooky
"SAIL ON" - a sequel to "Come Sail Away"?
"OH HAPPY DAY" - another classic
"GETTIN' BACK" - Is this their rap song? ...as opposed to "gettin' front"?
"AND THE FATHER WILL DANCE" - wasn't this on FOX last season?
"SAY YES" - "Yes!!!!!"

"Jesus is My Friend" by "Sonseed"

I've had an amazing homemade VHS tape of a Christian Ska band named "Sonseed" performing "Jesus is My Friend" for about 25 years now. I've shown to to hundreds of my friends, I've entered it into Dennis Hensley's HOME VIDEO GONG SHOW (Where it was unfairly "gonged" by Go-Go Jane Wiedlin), and I've spent countless hours analyzing it and the odd, yet endearing assortment of performers known as "Sonseed". For years I've searched the internet far & wide for information about "Sonseed" and the song-to no avail. Finally, I lent the tape to my good friend Peleg Top who converted it to digital. Alleluia! So, at last, presenting the internet premiere of "Jesus is My Friend"! Spread the word! Warning: This video is highly addictive! PS...If you have any info on "Sonseed", let me know!

DOUGSPLOITATION NEWS EXCLUSIVE: Sal of "Sonseed" Tells All!

Burbank, CA - We here at Dougsploitation News have tracked down the real Sal Polichetti from "Sonseed" and have filed this exclusive report:

Doug: Hi, there Sal. I just want to start off by thanking for for talking to me...and thank you for entertaining me & my friends for the better part of 25 years!

Sal: I am totally stunned at the attention this thing has drawn. I was very amused with all the blog entries.  Absolutely hysterical!

Doug: Thanks Sal, I'm so happy to find that you have a sense of humor about  "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" and your former band, "Sonseed". I have so many questions, I hardly know where to start! 
 
Sal:  I would love to give you the whole "Sonseed" saga.

Doug:  Sal, you don't know how long I've wanted to hear those words! Okay, first of all, what was the name of the TV show you guys were on? I get the feeling it was some cable access show...

Sal: The name of that TV show was "The First Estate".  It used to air on WNBC (channel 4 in NY) on Sunday mornings at 11AM.  It dealt with religious issues and , yes, was multi-denominational.  The host was Dr. Russell Barber.  They had never had a musical act on before; usually priests or rabbis discussing what ever the hot topic of the day was.  They weren't quite sure how to shoot us or how it was going to work out.  By the way, we had no say about what songs were going to be taped for air.  "Jesus is a Friend of Mine"  was selected by Dr. Barber because it was different.Doug: Yes I grew up watching WNBC - I actually remember that show. There were always those weird Sunday-morning religious shows with strange names like "The First Estate" or "Lamp Unto My Feet." The titles seemed scary to me, especially "Sunday Mass for Shut-Ins" - it sounded like hostages were being held or something. I'm glad that Dr. Barber selected  "Jesus is a Friend of Mine", because not only is it the best song on the album, it's one of the few where you actually do lead vocals!

Sal: I wrote the song in about 10 minutes.  We were getting ready to record the album and I was not singing any of the songs initially selected for it.  I thought, "Damn, if I want to get to sing on this record I'd better write something".  The rock n' roll portion of the group (guitarist Frank Franco and drummer Nick Sciarra) liked the song - so I was in.

Doug: Wow. That's amazing. To think, if you didn't write "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" there would be a lot less happier people in the world! I think another outstanding track on the album is the cover of "Oh Happy Day". I am not a religious person at all, but somehow that song makes me wanna believe.

Sal: Our white-boy-R&B version of "Oh Happy Day" was not part of the original session but decided upon at the last minute.  Both vocals, by the way, ("Jesus.." and "Happy Day") one take!  Hoo-wee!

Doug: One take? I'm impressed!  Oh, before I forget - what was "Salvation Army" and "Punch & Judaism"- were they other topics coming up on "The First Estate"?Sal: Yes.  First there was an officer from the S.A. touting their accomplishments and asking for money.  "Punch and Judaism" referred to this troupe of puppeteers who used puppets dressed like Bible characters to teach moral and biblical lessons.  Sort of like "Godspell" on strings.  It was interesting but it got a little creepy after a while.
Doug: Okay, I need to know about the band. Did I match everybody's name up correctly? I know I got you, Frank and Nick correct, but what about "Sleepy" - is that guy Brother John? What about the two back up ladies? We all totally love the woman in the glasses who I called "Inez" - Is that Melody?

Sal: It sure is.  And a real sweetheart as was the other older woman Anne Lessing.  "Sleepy" was indeed Brother John.Doug: And "Groovy Guy" is ________?

Sal: Wait for it.....wait....Jim Archer.Doug: Now I can sleep at nights! So how did you all get together? Did you belong to the same church in Brooklyn? Were you guys all Catholic? With all those Italian names...Sal: Sheer coincidence.  Joseph Ciccone was the one who got us all together.  He was involved with his church (Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn) and was put in charge of the music for some special ceremony.  He called in all his markers and Frank, Nick, Patricia, Anne, Karen and Jimmy Archer and myself (and a few  others) met for the first time and rehearsed for this special Mass.  It went so well and we got along so well before too long we met once a week at varied locations to hang out.  Being Born Again Christians at the time there was usually a bit of praying going on.  Someone suggested we form a group (Frank, Nick, Steve and myself had been in various bands for years, so we knew what was involved) and travel to different churches playing Rock-type versions of church songs.  We would pass the hat for donations.  With about 20 members originally we weren't going to make any money, so we pooled our income to buy equipment and pay for gas.  We became pretty popular, selling out church halls and college lunch rooms all over Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.  Eventually more and more original music became part of our shows.
 
Doug: Was there only one album? And how long did you all stay together?

Sal: The album came about because people wanted something to take home with them after the concerts.  Joe Ciccone, who at the time was an Art Director for Dancer-Fitzgerald Ad Agency designed the album cover as well as the "Sonseed" logo (with the cross inside the heart) which we had been putting on tee-shirts for years.  I was not involved in much of the album other than playing and singing on it.  I have no idea how many were printed or sold but it must have been quite a few.  I believe I still have five or six of them un-opened.  We were together from the late 70's until around 1983.  It got to be a lot of work.  It was impossible to replace departed members as we couldn't offer any money, just prayerful support (which, as you can guess, didn't buy much even then).  It was simply too much for the few members we had left.  We booked Xavarian HS auditorium for a huge farewell concert.  We charged $1 just so we could have an idea how many people would show up.  We sold out in two hours so we added a matinee.  I do have the original VHS recording of that concert.  We really were something.Doug: I may need to borrow that VHS tape! Joe's logo is brilliant. Okay, I need to know. Do you keep in touch with any of the other band members? Do you have any idea what they are up to now? I hope they're all still around.

Sal: One, unfortunately, is not.  Our dear friend Nick Sciarra passed way around 15 years ago.  Frank Franco is now a grandpa and is a computer programmer.  He also still plays guitar in an oldies band (Reparata and the Dell Rons I believe).  Joe Ciccone left the ad game some time ago and became a Paulist priest.  Last I heard he was stationed at Clemson University.

Doug: I'm sorry to hear about Nick. What about the organist lady?

Sal: Oh yeah, and Patricia Costagliola.  We were married from 1978 to 1989 (no kids, thank God).  After Sonseed Frank, Nick and myself became Patricia's back up band as we continued for the next few years playing her original inspirational music.  Although we didn't do the "married" thing well  we always got along professionally.  Patricia recorded two albums "Walk Forward" and "Give Your Love Away" which were pretty amazing.  I can't believe she didn't "make it".  She is now a Professor at The University of Washington (Doctor Patricia Costa) and is doing well.

Doug: Wow - you married the organist! Who knew? So since "Sonseed" has disbanded you've done a lot of musical theater. I expected to see "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" on your resume, but I actually found shows that I like - "Cabaret" and "Annie" are among my alltime faves. Are you acting full time? Are you in a new show at the moment?

Sal: Funny you mention Godspell.  From 1972 to 2000  I've been in 13 different local productions of it totalling around 150 performances.  I've done 85 shows, all locally (being a big fish in a small pond isn't so bad!).  I was John Adams in "1776", the Engineer in "Miss Saigon" and the Baker 3 different times in "Into the Woods".  I'm currently playing Charlemagne in "Pippin" which opens mid-September.  All this while working full- time for Verizon as a field tech and playing off-weekends in a 60's-50's rock band.  Yep, we manage to stay pretty busy.Doug: Is there anything you'd like to say to any old or new fans out there. You know performance artist/singer/actress Ann Magnuson once commented that your skin was "flawless".

Sal: In case anyone's interested, I'm 56 years old now.  A little heavier and a little thinner up top. But my skin is still flawless.Doug: And you still have that bad boy attitude. Are currently single?

Sal: Sorry. I met a beautiful young lady doing "Pippin" 19 years ago.  She's 14 years younger than me but let's face it; with all the gay guys hanging around the theater there wasn't much competition.  Donna and I were married in 1991 and have two lovely, talented children.

Doug: See how we gays help bring people together! I met my partner John around the same time you met your wife and we have two adorable mutts. Not married yet, though. :)

Sal: Hey, anyone that names a Russ Meyer film in their top 10 (Faster Pussycat, Kill! Kill)! is OK in my book!

Doug: Just the fact that you know about Russ and Pussycat will impress a lot of my readers! Be well, and thanks so much again for being a good sport. I still can't believe that we connected!

THE SOUP discovers "SONSEED"!!!

Oh my god - my friend Sherri just sent me this!!! The online version of my favorite TV show - THE SOUP has discovered "Sonseed"!!! Holy crap! I'm speechless! Joel McHale and Sal of "Sonseed" together - I think I need to lie down...

Newcomers - scroll down for tons of info about Sonseed!

"Sonseed" and Dougsploitation Go Canadian!

I had the pleasure of talking to a reporter from the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail about "Sonseed" and my 25-year obsession with the "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" video.

Here's a highlight: "But, far from being another Lonelygirl15, the band, Sonseed, are the real deal. Doug Prinzivalli should know. The graphic designer posted the video on his blog, Dougsploitation, in August. It was a rip of a VHS tape that a former co-worker had given him, knowing he was a fan of ska. What she couldn't know is that Sonseed would become a private obsession: For 25 years Mr. Prinzivalli admired the band from afar. Soon that would change. Former members of the band, stumbling upon what seemed lost history, began contacting Mr. Prinzivalli."

Go here for the full story.

Dougsploitation Welcomes New "Sonseed" Fans!

Hey "Sonseed" fans- My ORIGINAL posting on Vimeo of "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" was deleted due to copyright concerns. So it is now hosted on YouTube. Meanwhile...in less than two weeks the phenom known as "Sonseed" is officially out of control. With two postings on YouTube by other fans - now thousands of people have experienced their wonder.

Scroll down for my original web premiere of "Jesus is a Friend of My Mine" as well as my theories about the band "Sonseed" and it's members, my fantasy of joining the band, my discovery of their album "First Fruit" and finally my real live EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with the lead singer Sal Polichetti.

Enjoy and stick around for other Dougsploitation items! :)

Sad "Sonseed" News

Sal from Sonseed has informed me that beloved band member John Wieners passed away on September 29.
Just 20 days before on September 9th, Mr. Weiners sent me this email...

"I would really like to thank you for posting all the Sonseed stuff...as a former member, it was GREAT to walk down memory lane, and to know that people still remember that magical time...as I do.

I guess I am 'Sleepy'...LOL...I am the former Bro. John, CSC...a religious teaching brother at the time who was a member of the group and was instrumental in giving the group a rehearsal space and an auditorium for our Christian Coffeehouse, called HIS PLACE....

BTW...I was the lead singer on our groups signature song.." Sonseed"...

Thanks for having this site, buddy...it's really FUN

John Wieners"

Rest in Peace, Brother John

This one is for you...

Cracking the "Sonseed Code" - Day 3

As my obsession with "Sonseed" continues, I realize a major clue that has been in front of my eyes for 25 years(!) -could it be that the song "Jesus is My Friend" (video posted below) is from an album called "Salvation Army" on a label called Punch & Judaism?Seems odd for a Christian band. Also - I just noticed the menorah in the background - could this be from a non-denominational religious TV show? I no idea that something like that even existed! I need to know more about this show and the jovial, yet creepy host.Okay, back to analyzing the members of "Sonseed". Here's a shot of "Olive the Organist." (She on the left - playing the organ)Sadly, Olive never gets a close-up, except we do see her hands during the start of the song with the "Sonseed" type imposed over them, making her iconographic.Next up is the woman I like to call "Cathy Crabby" since she looks really pissed about something. My guess is that either "Groovy Guy" or "Sleepy" has bad b.o. and she is annoyed that she got stuck between them. At least she gets a close-up. Not like the poor Gary Guitar: This guy is hardest working member of the band, but because the camera is so in love with lead singer Sal, the bass guy never stands a chance. He does earn points for wearing snazzy grey shoes- or are they socks? And finally, the least remembered and seen band member, the Dave the Drummer. This poor dude is barely seen because, once again sexy Sal steals the limelight. I guess he's lucky to be near Sal since that's the only way we can even catch a glimpse of his Seth Rogan style "jew fro".

"Sonseed" First Fruit - The Album

Thanks to my friend Rev. Ricky, I now have (temporarily) in my hands the "Sonseed" album called "First Fruit"! I have to say, the cover is AMAZING! I could not have created a better logo for the band if I tried.Finally, I am now able to confirm certain assumptions that I've had about the band and dismiss others. They are from Brooklyn, NY and they appear to be 90% Italian –therefore one can assume that they are NOT a Christian ska band, but a CATHOLIC pop band!Our lead singer is named Sal Polichetti.Our organist is named Patricia Costagliola, and she also produced the album!Our background vocalists, formerly known as "Inez" and "Crabby Cathy" are Melody M. Sorrentino and Anne Lessing (not confirmed who's who)."Sleepy" looks like he may be "Brother" John Wieners."Groovy Guy" could be Jimmy Archer or Joe Ciccone. (There are more names listed on the album than performers in the video)Guitarist is Frank "Alleluia" Franco.
And lastly, the elusive drummer is probably Nicky Sciarra.

If any body has any further information on these people, let me know!!! Now, my next mission, which I have chosen to accept is to find out where they are now! Oh, PS - Rev. Ricky thinks "Salvation Army" and "Punch & Judaism" wre two other acts that appeared on the show after "Sonseed". I'll buy that.

Sonseed Gets GLEEked

Just when I thought we saw the last of the Sonseed revival that sprung forth from this very blog, I received word from Sal that the song "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" was to be featured in this week's episode of GLEE.

This was followed by emails, phone calls and texts about it - and now even another blogger has blogged about it. How meta is that? Of course they credit the person who stole the video from me for starting the phenom, but what can you do?

Congrats to Sal and the folks from Sonseed!

See Sal from "Sonseed" LIVE on stage in NYC This Week!

That's right kids, friend of Dougsploitation, Sal Polichetti from "Sonseed" with be performing "Jesus is My Friend" LIVE on stage this Wednesday night, Feb. 4th  at St Mark's Church in Greenwich Village. The address is 131 East 10th Street (near 2nd Avenue). Sal will be playing with a band called Bronze Fondue. For more info on this rare event go here. Admission is $5.00 (BYOB) and the festivities begin at 8:30PM.

Wouldn't it be great to show up wearing an official unofficial Sonseed t-shirt?

...About "Sonseed" - Day 2

It appears that "Sonseed" - the band behind the soon-to-be web phenom "Jesus is My Friend" (see post below) - had a whole album called "First Fruit" and a website called Vinyl Rehab is selling it! While I wait for my album to arrive, I've gotten some requests for larger images of the incredibly captivating "Sonseed" members.Let's start with the Lead Singer - the host calls him "Sal" - I call him the Christian Donny Osmond. You just know he's a sinner. He's pretty dreamy, and as Ann Magnuson once declared about him, "his skin is flawless." ZAP!I like to call this woman "Inez," because she reminds me of the lovely woman named Inez who works for my vet. One day I will get up the nerve to ask Inez if she was ever in a Christian ska band.This is the "Groovy Guy". Kinda like Kenny Loggins meets Jim Henson, without Jimmy Messina or Kermit to drag him down.This is "Sleepy." Shhh...be quiet or you'll wake him. More to come.