“Rockaway Summer Music Spotlight” is a series by The Rockaway Times highlighting the movers and shakers behind the local music scene. In this installation, meet local viral music sensation—Rock Soup.
Since their inaugural show at Jamesons in May 2024, cover band, Rock Soup, has been serving up a rich gumbo of rock/pop hits spanning from the ‘60s through the ‘90s to today. And judging by the band’s packed shows at Connnolly’s, Tap That, Jamesons, the beach concessions and more—Rock Soup has definitely earned its viral reputation.
Rock Soup’s ingredients consist of six band members, all Rockaway locals, already known for their talents in the community: Bettina Hornung, lead singer; Alannah Fabry, bass guitar and vocals; Chris Maxx, drums and vocals; John Fabry, guitar; Gary “Soogs” Suglia, keyboard and vocals; and Arturo Rivera, lead guitar and vocals. In the winter of 2022, the idea to form the band was drummed up by music veterans, Fabry and Maxx.
Maxx, a multi-instrumentalist, has lived in Rockaway since 1971, and been in several rock bands over the years, including indie rock band, My Freaky Darlings, and a stint as a drummer for The Knobs. He said, “John Fabry, formerly with Wine With Sue, saw me in a bar, and said, ‘I want to form a band with my daughter, Alannah. I want to create a full-on band that performs music that none of the other bands play. Alannah is a great singer and bass player, and I want to support her. I already have Gary Suglia from Keegan and Soogs on board.’ I was like, ‘You have Gary on board? I’m in.’”
Soon, Hornung and Rivera followed suit.
Hornung, already a local celebrity who currently lives in Broad Channel, earned her own street cred for hosting Tent Karaoke and Rockaway Idol at Bungalow Bar; several comedy shows, including a Roast of Rockaway; and organizing a number of fundraisers and other events, from the Poseidon Prom to the Annual Jello Wrestling Extravaganza. She also happens to be the niece of another local celebrity, international critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter, Walker Hornung.
She’s already planning her next big event. On Saturday, November 7, come in your red carpet best for Bettina Hornung’s Rockaway Grammy Awards at the Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90th Street). Musician/band nominations are still open and tickets are available for sale. For more info, visit: Rockaway Grammys on Facebook/Instagram.
As for Rock Soup, Hornung shared that it was Maxx who gave her the boost in confidence to join the band as its lead vocalist.
“Rock Soup is the first band I’ve ever performed with, and Chris gave me the push. He was like, ‘Come on, you can do it.’ I was scared and didn’t think that I could, but Chris really encouraged me. And here we are today,” Hornung said.
Rivera, a native of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, currently living in Rockaway Park, is a known face in the local music scene, playing acoustic solo gigs at Harbor Light, Bungalow Bar, The Wharf and more. He served three years in the army and has been a teacher in the NYC Department of Education for 31 years. Besides the love of music, he and Hornung also share their experience in special education.
For Rivera, Rock Soup was an opportunity he could not pass up. He said, “I initially got into playing gigs though a local guy named, Brian Monaghan. Brian and I became very good friends, and he was really the mentor that got me into music. He would give me his guitar whenever he would do a gig. So, I would fill in whenever his breaks were, and that motivated me. And that’s why when the opportunity came to join Rock Soup, I jumped on it. I’ve always liked playing electric guitar and being in a band,” he said.
Belle Harbor resident, Alannah Fabry, currently studying theater at Brooklyn College, also has bragging rights in the local music scene for performing with the Rockaway Theatre Company, including their recent musical production, “Grease.”
She said, “I grew up in a family of musicians, surrounded by the music scene in Rockaway. My dad was a member of Wine With Sue. So, singing and playing music was something I naturally gravitated towards. And then as I grew older, I decided to start trying out different instruments. I’m actually self-taught on bass guitar.”
Suglia, a lifelong Rockaway resident, besides known for being a keyboardist, is also a deejay. Over the years, he’s played with several bands, including The Roving Firemen; one half of the popular acoustic duo, Keegan and Soogs with Bernie Keegan; and even some sit-ins with Wine With Sue. He’s currently retired from OPEIU Local 153 and NYC Department of Sanitation. And like his fellow band members, Rock Soup filled a passion.
He said, “It’s been a lot of fun because it’s totally different than anything I’ve ever done before. You know, it gets hard when there’s six of us trying to get together to practice, but we make it work.”
As for what he thinks is Rock Soup’s secret sauce that draws droves of fans, Suglia said, “We just try to play songs that other bands aren’t playing. Plus, because of who we are individually as local musicians, we draw a wide range of people of all ages. Plus, having two female lead vocalists helps.”
As for the name of the band, “Rock Soup,” Maxx shared, “John came up with the name. He said, ‘We’re all local musicians and performers. We’re like a Rock Soup.’ Meaning we’re pretty much a Rockaway supergroup because we’re all from different bands in Rockaway, forming our own band.”
The band even has its own fan club piloted by “Margie Merch.” Hornung said, “Margie Merch is the heart and soul of Rock Soup. She’s always giving out fun giveaways at each show. From pom-poms to LED headbands, jewelry and more swag, every ‘Soupie’ leaves with more than just a smile on their faces. Who doesn’t love free stuff?”
As for the local music scene, Alannah Fabry said that Rockaway is an amazing community of not just music lovers, but musicians.
“Rockaway’s always been, and I think always will be, such a beautiful community. Everyone is so kind and welcoming, and with any band in Rockaway, if you mention you’re a musician, they’ll get you up on stage to play a song with them,” she said.
As for what makes the band standout and work well together, Hornung said, “We’re like one big, happy, talented dysfunctional family.”
Maxx added, “Rock Soup is just a cover band thinking outside of the box to make sure everybody has fun.”
Next Saturday, September 5, 6 p.m., Rock Soup performs at Connolly’s (155 Beach 95th Street). Plus, on Saturday, October 24, the band will be playing a Halloween Party at the Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90th Street). Also, this Saturday, August 29, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., check out Rock Soup’s Arturo Rivera’s solo acoustic act at Similan OnThe Bay (375 Beach 92nd Street). For more info about upcoming live shows and to book the band, visit: rocksouprbny on Instagram.
