Earls Of Babylon Release ‘Piece Of My Mind’
(l-r) Steve Conte and Brian Ray
Steve Conte and Brian Ray—known collectively as Earls Of Babylon—have released a gritty punk-infused piece of Instant Classic Rock called “Piece Of My Mind.” The flip side is a terrific remake of “Hungry,” the 1966 rocker by the severely under-rated Paul Revere & The Raiders. The new original “takes aim at chronic complainers and finger-pointers,” according to the duo, “a reminder to step back, gain perspective, and recognize that plenty of people have it tougher.” The song came together when Conte sent Ray “a blues-soaked riff and melody. Ray jumped in with the chorus and title. Conte shaped the verses, and within days, the two had a finished track,” according to their camp, to which Conte adds, “the whole thing came together fast and fun. Lots of laughs. Lots of energy.”
Conte is originally from Monmouth County. Besides his nine solo albums, he was the lead guitarist in the New York Dolls and has played with Finnish rocker Michael Monroe from the band Hanoi Rocks, Peter Wolf of The J. Geils Band and Billy Squier. That’s him spitting out those venomous lead vocals. Brian Ray was the longtime Musical Director for the legendary Etta James [1938-2012]. He’s also been Paul McCartney’s lead guitarist for the last 23 years.
“Piece Of My Mind” was written and self-produced by guitarists Conte and Ray at Stevie Van Zandt’s New York City studio with drummer Charley Drayton (of Keith Richard’s band), Asbury Juke bassist John Conte and backing vocalist Kevin Tyler Preston of Green Day.