By Sarah Fine- The Journal News- July 9th, 2009

Cancer survivor's music, passion leads to Better Than Ezra gig

PORT CHESTER -Charlie Scopoletti discovered his passion while lying in a hospital bed.As a 10-year-old battling Hodgkin's disease, he was introduced to the power of music during his weekly therapy sessions."That was the first time I saw a guitar," Scopoletti said. "Once a week I got to play these instruments.
I didn't know what I was doing, but ever since that point, I was always fascinated."

Now 33, Scopoletti has found musical success along with the rest of his band, Chasing Something Better,a name that hits close to home amid his lifelong struggles. The acoustic-driven pop rock band will open at 5 p.m. today for alternative rockers Better Than Ezra as part of the Alive at Five outdoor summer series at Columbus Park in Stamford, Conn.

Scopoletti writes his own lyrics, influenced by his life and loves, with titles like "Blind," "Crazy Girl" and "Fade Away."The band's new single, "I'm Gone," features Scopoletti's vocals. He also sings on "Circles," the band's debut CD,
and is backed by lead guitarist Michelangelo D'Amico, bassist Brian Michelotti and drummer Erik Dunham.

Unfortunately, Scopoletti's bout with Hodgkin's, which attacks the lymphatic system, and its consequences didn't end when he was a boy. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and doctors removed the gland. For the second time in his life, he underwent chemotherapy."That put a halt on my gigging and my singing for a couple of months, but I was persistent on getting back up and out," he said.

Scopoletti's passion for music is evident in his hard work and intense self-promotion." If I'm not at a show, I am home writing or recording or working on getting gigs," he said. "It is well worth the time and effort to see the end result of your hard work."

Scopoletti's fight with cancer not only has made him a hard worker, but it also has affected his relationships. "Because of what he has gone through, he is very susceptible to seeing people who might have a problem and he will be the first person to help them out," said Port Chester police Lt. James Ladeairous,
who has known Scopoletti for more than 10 years.

“Charlie is one of the most kindhearted and hardworking musicians, and he is always willing to do anything for anyone," said Arjun Reddy,one of the owners of Macduff's Public House in Greenwich, Conn., a performance venue familiar to the band.

Whether the band's name means chasing his dreams or something he truly wants in his life, Scopoletti seems determined to find it. "In one sense, we are all chasing something better," he said. "We should all want more from our lives, and not in a greedy way, but in a self-improving way."

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Bands enjoy exposure at Alive@Five
By Eve Sullivan
Special Correspondent
Posted: 07/09/2009 10:21:30 PM EDT

STAMFORD -- As members of the rock band Chasing Something Better exited the stage at Alive @ Five Thursday night, they were thrilled with the experience of playing such a large venue. "I think it was a great set," said Charlie Scopoletti, the band's lead singer and songwriter. "It was very exciting to be on the big stage. It felt comfortable."

Drummer Erik Dunham said the band, from Port Chester, N.Y., has been practicing for weeks for the show. "I loved it. It was like fruition, finally," he said. "I felt good up there. It was a beautiful day."
And they weren't the only ones excited. As a crowd of fans and relatives rushed to greet them after the performance, some were just as overwhelmed." It's amazing," said Joe Scopoletti, Charlie's father. "For everything he's been through in his life -- cancer and a few other things -- to see him on the stage was a dream come true."

His sister, Annie Kennedy, said she had tears in her eyes during the 45-minute set. "We've seen him in so many little bars, so to see him on the big stage was unbelievable," she said. Chasing Something Better -- or CSB -- opened for '90s alternative rock band Better Than Ezra on Thursday night. CSB played mostly original songs, including "Crazy Girl, "Circles," and "Stay." The songs are inspired by the life and experiences of Scopoletti -- a two-time cancer survivor who discovered a passion for music while battling Hodgkin's disease in a New York hospital at age 10.

The Alive @ Five concert series, which opened two weeks ago with Smash Mouth, is giving several local bands the opportunity to play their original music to larger-than-normal crowds. Kevin McCloskey, manager of The Honors, a Boston band opening for Tonic next week, said it provides exposure to a larger audience, which is hard for an up-and-coming band. "It's also helpful when you are trying to book gigs," McCloskey said. "It helps when you can say you shared a stage with a band who has had success in the past ... like Tonic."

The band Kite also opens for Tonic next week. Ken Coulson, the group's lead singer, said, "It's amazingly exciting and I think it's one of the examples where Stamford has done an amazing job. People come downtown and dance and drink."
When the concert series first started, it featured area bands and drew crowds of sometimes fewer than 100 people. Now the shows have national acts, such as Blues Traveler and The Cars, and can draw thousands to the park. This is the first year the Downtown Special Services District, organizer of the event, is charging a $5 admission.

As audience members watched CSB on Thursday, some were first-time listeners who liked what they heard. "I think they're really good," said Ruben Roman, of Stamford. "Some of the original songs they played so far have been really great."
Mike Carugati, of Stamford, said he's seen the band before at local bars. "I think they sound better than at the bar," he said. "One of the better warm up bands they've had here."

Scopoletti called this a "great opportunity" and said he's hoping it will give the band some leverage to do more touring in the future. After the show, he said he felt like they sounded good and had a "good energy" on stage. "We had fun," he said.
"That's what's important." Before the show, guitarist Brian Michelotti said it was going to be one a milestone for the band, so he plans on kicking back and enjoying it.

"It's definitely cool," guitarist Michelangelo D'Amico said. "It think there's always opportunity in stuff like this. We're excited"

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CD REVIEW: CSB - Circles

By Chip Withrow - 12/10/05 - 10:20 AM EST

Take all the good qualities of Bon Jovi, Hall and Oates,
and Big Head Todd and the Monsters (remember them?). Mix them together,
and that’s sort of what CSB’s catchy CD Circles is like.

CSB, fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Charlie Scopoletti,
has put together a dramatic, soulful disc. Scopoletti is a song craftsman.
The lyrics – many aimed at lovers on the way out the door – are direct.
The music often sounds like a rock band's take on ‘70s soul – fuzz-toned and
ringing guitar tracks layered over an insistent bass-and-drums groove.

Scopoletti is a tasteful player; he mostly uses his guitar as a rhythm instrument.
“Stay With Me” is a fine example of his talents – no soloing,
just rich acoustic and electric textures.

He’s also a powerful vocalist who displays two traits of a true rock singer:
big range mixed with throaty roughness. Among his best emotions-on-his-sleeve
singing efforts is the pretty “Tomorrow.”

“Blind” is another powerhouse. It rocks intensely, but like many of this disc’s songs,it’s danceable.
It’s also a great example of Scopoletti’s talent for creating tension that builds into big choruses.

The title track is one of the album’s many memorable cuts.
It’s powered by the rock-solid beat of drummer John Giamara,
and it has a chorus that could be a singalong for a live crowd. “Circles”
is one of several tunes (“Tomorrow,” “Crazy Girl”) that are radio-ready
for a broader Adult Alternative audience.

CSB delivers soaring rock that fits current musical trends yet brings
to mind great pop rock (with the emphasis on rock) of decades past.
Circles is a solid collection of songs with not a bad one in the bunch.
It would be interesting to hear Scopoletti play these numbers at one
of his solo gigs listed on the band’s web site.

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Fan Reviews

Lyric: New York, NY

They're awesome! "Blind" is smooth. It kind of feels like warm milk & honey...
but for the soul.
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Nicole: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

Your music is awesome. I love it so much! I’ve been listening to your
songs and playing them over and over for 30 minutes straight now
and I can’t get enough of them.
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Candace: Bellmore, NY

You guys are good. Your band definitely is one of those chill bands
who everyone just unanimously agrees on.
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Diamond Eyezz: Brentwood, NY

Thought the music was really hott. Definitely gonna be the next hott thing.
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Virginia Upper: Darby, PA

I like your sound a lot. I've heard a lot of bands out there that are
just starting up and sometimes they don't sound like they're together,
but you guys definitely do.
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Shannon Riva, MA

I love your style of music! I definitely like a variety and your sound is refreshing!