vocals, keys, trumpet

Billy, 29, in addition to handling lead vocal duties, also acts as the band’s utility player, bringing keyboards, a second trumpet, and percussion into the mix.

While studying at Penn State University from 1999-2003, Billy fronted the popular local cover band Furious Styles, which evolved into an original project called Dramatic Oil Company.

In 2005, he recorded some dub versions of his favorite tunes using a simple recording setup in his parents’ basement.

A student of popular music, Billy wrote about the practice and art of remixing for his NYU master’s thesis. He contributed articles about Matisyahu, Rosanne Cash, and Art Neville (of the Meters) to a Rhode Island alt-weekly, and wrote for an as-yet-unpublished encyclopedia of hip-hop edited by Bill Adler of Def Jam. He also contributed research to the New York Public Library exhibition Yaddo: Making American Culture.

Billy currently works as the New Media Writer at the United Federation of Teachers where he administers the union’s blog Edwize, among other web-related duties.