Julian Gallo was born and raised in New York City. He began his musical career playing bass for the punk rock band Distorted Youth in 1982 when he was 16, playing the noted A7 club on the Lower East Side.
Having tired of the punk rock scene and wanting to expand he formed Third Eye Butterfly in 1985 with drummer Charles Caracciolo and bassist Carol Rowan, this time switching to guitar and vocals. While Third Eye Butterfly was still punk influenced, the band also incorported other musical influences such as power pop, new wave and garage/psychedelia. Third Eye Butterfly first appeared on Natural Enemies Records' compliation album "The Bands That Ate New York" Vol. 2 with their song "Black and White Dream" in 1987. In 1991, they released their 7 song EP called "What The Thunder Said" on Psycho-Pop/Galt Records. Three more compilation appearances followed, "Hear No Evil" volumes 1 (1991) and 2 (1994) released on Galt Records and "Step on A Crack" Volume 1 (1993) released on Sound Views Records. The band also released three 7" singles on Psycho-Pop Records, "Everything Falls Apart"/ "Skin" (1993), "Life Is Elsewhere" / "Play With The Rainmaker" (1994) and "Something Happened" / "All The Way To Riyadh" (1995). The band broke up in 1997.
While taking a break from music, he began to write and published his first book of poetry called "Standing On Lorimer Street Awaiting Crucifixion" (Alpha Beat Press, 1996). Shortly thereafter, his poetry and short stories began appearing in journals and zines througout the United States, Canada and Europe. He has since published 4 other chapbooks of poetry, "The Terror of Your Cunt Is The Beauty Of Your Face" (Black Spring Press, 1999), "Street Gospel Mystical Intellectual Survival Codes" (Budget Press, 2000), "Scrape That Violin More Darkly Then Hover Like Smoke In The Air" (Black Spring Press, 2001) and "Existential Labyrinths" (Black Spring Press 2003). He has also published a few broadsides as well, "To Be Joyous Is To Be A Madman In A World of Sad Ghosts" (Alpha Beat Press, 1997), "My Arrival Is Marked By Illuminating Stains" (Black Spring Press, 1998), "These Are Not Words" (Lucid Moon Press, 1999) and "Ole!" (Alpha Beat Press, 2005). In 2007, he released three books: "November Rust" (Novel), "Window Shopping For A New Crown Of Thorns" (Poems) and "My Arrival Is Marked By Illuminating Stains" (Poems) which features all 5 previously published chapbooks. He has also recently written numerous articles for BrooWaha New York and Helium. Other recent articles have appeared in Art Nouveau Magazing in Atlanta. A new poetry book is forthcoming in May 2009 from Alternating Current.
In late 1998, Linda La Porte approached him about replacing their recently departed bass player in her band Gossamer. He played with the band for about a year, playing shows throughout the New York City area and recording with them on two tracks of their unreleased CD, "Tantrum". Gossamer broke up in early 1999.
In the interim, he continued writing and concentrated on his paintings, one of which appeared in the Holy Ghost Salon in Brooklyn New York in early 1999.
Linda La Porte then formed Bitterweed with ex-Thunderclap guitarist Dave Ayala in early 1999 and asked him to join playing bass. With the addition of ex-Gossamer drummer Jason Cafaro, Bitterweed took off almost immediately, recording their debut CD "On The High Wire" (2001) on Buzz Factory Records and playing noted showcases around NYC such as The TriBeCa Film Festival, Taste of TriBeCa festival in 2004 as well as the Caranaval Rock Festival in upstate New York in 2003 & 2004. In late 2005, the band released their second CD "Boo!" also on Buzz Factory Records. Bitterweed's most recent track, "Shame", will appear in the independent film "Delilah Rose". The band is currently on extended haitus.
He is currently playing guitar and bass for Linda La Porte on her solo material and has been playing the New York City club circuit with her. Her self-titled CD has just been released by Buzz Factory Records in New York City. He is also gathering material for his own solo CD to be recorded in the near future.
Be sure to check out my My Space page as well at: www.myspace.com/juliangallo
Email: Info@juliangallo.net
