Scott Panfil- Lead Vocals

Scott grew up in a musical family, both his father and uncle had been (and still are) extremely active in the Buffalo music scene. Because of the early guidance provided by both of their parents and uncles and aunts (some of whom are musicians; others who’ve owned or managed bars and restaurants; and every one of whom is extremely supportive), Scott and his sister Katie (now in Stone Row) both had numerous instruments and opportunities to play in front of people.

Starting out playing in restaurants with as many relatives who could make it that night, everybody took turns singing and playing bluegrass, rock, country, and oldies for tips and/or free food. These nights would generally consist of a few Billy Joel songs, some Alison Kraus, and a bunch of bluegrass standards.

In high school, Scott started his first band with friend Aaron called “Gentry” and played rock covers from Queen, Metallica, Chuck Berry, and some originals. Scott sang and played guitar, keyboard, and later bass. Gentry played a few shows before many of the members left for college in different areas of the country and disbanded.

Attending SUNY Fredonia for music education, Scott played a few throw-together gigs with friends whenever the occasional gig popped up, and ended up entering a battle of the bands at a Fredonia bar. The band chose the name Kashmir (later would be changed to The Jukebox Pirates, and then very quickly back to Kashmir) after the Led Zeppelin song (Kashmir…as far as I know, Zeppelin never had a song called Jukebox Pirates).

Kashmir included Drummer Devin R. Flynt, Guitarist Kevin Urso, Pianist Mark Marinaccio (now in Party of Nine), Bassist Chris Czrew (eventually Rocco DelaNeve), and Scott on vocals. The band played classic rock covers from Queen, Aerosmith, Journey, Boston, Yes, and many other vocal-based bands from the past 40 years.  Over the next few years, Kashmir played throughout Fredonia, Hamburg, and WNY and was nominated for a Buffalo Music Award for Best New Band. Members of Kashmir (without Scott) would eventually form the original band BeArthur, playing a string of high-profile gigs in Buffalo before higher education would eventually force the band to split (a running theme?)

As Kashmir was winding down, Scott joined The Hardliners as vocals, keyboards, guitar, and harmonica and played around Hamburg for a few years doing newer rock songs from Bush, Matchbox 20, Pearl Jam, and others. The Hardliners broke up after 2 years, and everyone went their separate ways (couldn’t resist the Journey reference).

After The Hardliners, Scott went for more traditional bands, starting Almost Seamus, a traditional Irish and Celtic band, with sisters Lydia Herron and Amanda Craver, once again the gig came before the band, but Almost Seamus continues to play local Irish festivals and around St. Patrick’s Day. The band would also include Devin R. Flynt (of Kashmir and BeArthur) on drums and eventually John Brady (of The Steam Donkeys). Scott played bass and would generally contribute harmonies to Lydia’s lead or would sing the more raucous drinking songs.

Scott’s sister Katie (of Stone Row and Erie Lackawanna Railroad) started a band with Helicopter Pilot’s (Band name, not profession) Joe Donohue, and Brandon Barry along with Matt Crane called Erie Lackawanna Railroad which regularly plays around the Allentown area and has become a regular sight at Nietzsche’s. They play an eclectic mix of many styles including bluegrass, Americana, traditional, rock, pop, reggae, and others. Fueled by harmonies, the band plays many songs by people like CSN, Paul Simon, Old Crow Medicine Show, and a few originals. See more about Erie Lackawanna Railroad at their myspace page.

After Almost Seamus opened for The Pug Mahones at the Buffalo Irish Center in South Buffalo, Scott got a call to join the Pugs, who played original and traditional Irish music lead by singer/songwriter Mike Jordan (formally of Jackdaw). During the two years Scott was with the Pug Mahones on guitar, accordion, and whistle, the band was made up of Mike on lead guitar and vocals, Kelly Jordan on drums, Chris Gugliuzza on bass, Jeff Shaw on fiddle, and Kristen Prohaska on fiddle. The Pug Mahones play many of Buffalo’s premier Irish bars and events with a sound that has been described as Pirate Rock due to Mike’s distinctive voice and writing style. Check out the Pugs at their website ThePugMahones.com.

Scott left the Pugs at the end of March after many weeks of packed St. Patrick’s day parties thinking he would take some time off from playing out for a while, when he got a call from family-friend Bruce Decker saying he had a gig and was in the need of a singer, and so again, nothing brings a band together quicker than having a gig first.

Scott lives in Lackawanna with his wife Samantha.

Scott would like to thank: All of my family who’ve come out to see my bands almost every time we play out. My wife Sam, my parents, my sister Katie, my Uncles Chris, John, and Chip, my Aunts Dee Dee, Alison, and Pam, Nana O and Nana P, and all my friends and former band members.