“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 Cherry and The Gunnz.
In less than a year, Cherry and The Gunnz, armed with an arsenal of rock and pop music covers from artists like Blondie, Neil Young, Madonna, CRR, Cranberries, Lady Gaga and so much more—has established itself as a band that “comes out with all guns blazing—no pun intended,” according to Paul Trust, one of the band’s founding members. And folks, judging from their packed sing-along shows at Pilot House, Bungalow Bar, Rogers, Tap That, Rockaway Beach Pickleball, The Wharf, the boardwalk and even more on the mainland—this band is definitely shooting their shot. As evident with their recent show this past June at Rogers, where the entire pub was packed with patrons singing along to the band’s rendition of 1993 rock anthem, “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes.
Cherry and The Gunnz was founded last August by drummer, Tommy Gonzalez a.k.a. Tommy Gunnz. Lead vocalists are Austrian native, who goes by the one-name moniker, Cherry; and American Bob. Paul Trust performs bass guitar and backing vocals; Yoav, lead guitar; and Ed Harley, rhythm guitar, synthesizer, and backing vocals.
As for band’s name, Cherry and The Gunnz, Gonzalez said, “It’s kind of a fluke. My last name is Gonzalez, but on Facebook, I’m known as Tommy Gunnz. Our lead female vocalist is Cherry, so we made a play on that with the name, Cherry and the Gunnz. Our other lead vocalist, American Bob, came up with that.”
Cherry added, “Our band’s name is reminiscent of 1980s bands like Guns N’ Roses, and the overall ‘80s vibe of rock and pop. Also, we wanted a name that’s catchy and easy to remember. So, we came up with Cherry and the Gunnz.”
Gonzalez is a firefighter with the FDNY and says his love affair with Rockaway—and later, music—began when he was an infant.
“I’ve been going to Rockaway since I was a baby. My family moved here in the mid-1970s. They’re heavily rooted here. My cousin, Vicky Nerys, is like the mayor. She knows everyone and that brings us together as not just family, but community.
“I also worked as a fireman in Rockaway. I started in 2003 and worked for five years with Johnny Burke of longtime local band, Wine With Sue. Rockaway is a small world. Everyone is somebody’s cousin, nephew, etc.,” Gonzalez shared.
As for the other band members, American Bob, a self-described gypsy, who has lived all over NYC, shared that though the band’s original connection to the peninsula is through Gonzalez, he has his own cherished Rockaway memories.
“Rockaway has this allure. Back in my 20s, I had a friend that lived in Inwood, more in the Far Rockaway area. I didn’t know the names of bars. I would just get in the car with him, and we’d drive anywhere, and have the time of our lives. We’d leave someplace at 11 in the morning or sleep on the beach. And so, performing here has been great for me as a New Yorker and Long Islander. Just rediscovering Rockaway has been magical, especially not just experiencing the fun, but being a part of it as a band with Cherry and the Gunnz. So, performing here has been such a joy and privilege. I feel like I’m back in my 20s again, which I’m definitely not,” American Bob said with a laugh.
As for how the band members got together, Trust said, “So, Ed, Tommy and I are neighbors living to the north of Rockaway, Richmond Hill. We knew each other from the neighborhood. So, when Tommy put out the call, looking to form a band, we just started texting back and forth. He put out an idea for a song set list, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I know most of these songs.’ And I knew Ed, so we started rehearsing. And then we had Bob, Yoav, Cherry, and so, the band came together.”
As for how the band describes its sound, Bob said, “Our music spans so many genres, from rock to pop, but the through line is always the party—we’re here to entertain.
“Our sound is similar to our mission, which is, we’re basically just trying to throw a party. It’s almost that simple. That’s how we pick the songs we do. We’re pretty brutal with what’s on the cutting room floor in terms of, if we run it, it might seem like a good idea on paper, but if it just doesn’t feel like a party, we’re like, ‘Why are we doing this?’ We may like the song and love to jam as musicians, but, if it’s not something that’s going to make the party more of a party, then what are we doing it for? We’re not performing for us. We’re performing for the crowd.”
Trust added, “Our vocalists, Bob and Cherry, are wonderful. They have wireless mics and go into the crowd, drawing people in to sing along. Cherry’s always handing the mic to someone who’s looking like they’re ready to sing and enjoy the party vibe. So, soon we have a whole chorus in the crowd. That’s part of the show. For us, that’s really important.
“And so that way, people are talking about us. And it might mean an extra cup of coffee or two when we’re rehearsing and playing, but I think it pays back in itself when we see how everyone is enjoying themselves. And it’s great being a 50-year-old guy who’s getting some 23-year-old saying, ‘Dude, that was a great show! My God, you guys were so awesome.’ It’s about connecting with the audience.”
Mark your calendars! This Friday, July 17, 5 p.m., check out Cherry and the Gunnz with special guest, DJ Moochie at Bay 97 (formerly known as Sand Shark) on the boardwalk at Beach 97th Street Concession. For more info about upcoming live shows and to book the band, visit: Cherry and the Gunnz on Facebook/Instagram.
