George Tsalikis:

George was born on February 25th, 1972 in Athens Greece.  His family immigrated to the United States in 1974 where he was raised in Brooklyn, NY.  George always had a fascination with music.  At the age of 5, he convinced his parents to buy him an acoustic guitar.  Though at the time he had no clue how to play it, his passion for music could not be quenched.  It wasn’t until he reached the age of 12 when George began teaching himself the basics of guitar playing with the help of a book for beginners.  At this point he was also introduced to Rock music.  One day while watching some music video countdown on the television, his attention was captured by the Bon Jovi video “You Give Love a Bad Name”.  The imagery of a bunch of guys running around stage, long hair flying everywhere, ripped jeans, and leather jackets struck a nerve.  Later on, a close friend of George’s (Giacomo Mascillaro) told him that if he liked Bon Jovi, he would absolutely love Iron Maiden.  George ran to the nearest video store and rented Live After Death.  He instantly knew that his friend was right.  It wasn’t long before George built up a collection of Maiden, Ozzy, Twisted Sister, Dokken, Van Hallen and many other 80’s Metal albums.

At 15 he took a guitar class that was offered in his High School.  Seeing that the instructor was not an actual guitarist and therefore had very little to offer, he didn’t take the class again the following semester.  Though he enjoyed playing the guitar his real love was singing.  By 16 he joined his first band consisting of High School friends.  The band only knew about three to four songs and suffice it to say, didn’t last very long.  At 17 George entered his High School talent show, singing solo to pre-recorded music.  This was his first show ever in front of an audience.  Despite being extremely nervous, George stepped out onto the stage and after a few minutes became completely comfortable.  He realized right then and there that this was what he wanted to do.

George began taking guitar lessons at a local music school and shortly thereafter also began taking vocal lessons at another local school.  The vocal lessons helped increase his range and improve his ear.  Later on that year he joined another band, which later became the Gothic Knights.  George fronted the Gothic Knights for a number of years until his third year in college.  Not having the time to dedicate to the band due to his studies, and also feeling at the time that his pursuit of a musical career would prove fruitless, George parted company with the band.

After about two years however, George could not shake the desire to sing live and to create music.  He had written a number of songs since his departure from his old band and was looking to record them for prosperity.  He called up an old college friend, Amit Lahav who George knew to be an incredible drummer and asked if he would be willing to help out.  He also happened to run into another old friend, guitarist Kirk Passomonti (who ironically enough was in George’s band prior to them becoming the Gothic Knights).  Though George searched desperately for a bassist, he was unsuccessful in finding one.  With less than two weeks left before the scheduled recording, George borrowed a bass guitar from a friend of his and started teaching himself how to play.  Due to his prior guitar experience, he was able to pick up the instrument rather quickly.  Two weeks later, the trio found themselves in the studio recording what later became Zandelle’s first independent self-titled album which was released in the Spring of 1996.

To this day, George is constantly working to improve his vocal talents, studying the techniques of some of the most renowned singers in Metal and Rock, never satisfied and always striving for perfection.  His passion for vocals has helped to give Zandelle their distinct trademark sound, especially in a part of the world where melodic vocals in Metal are all but unheard of.

George has also begun getting involved in acting.  He made his theatrical debut back in May of 2004 when he appeared in the musical comedy The Pajama Game as the character of Joe.  His performance there earned him the respect of director J Michaels, who instantly cast him in an original one act play which was performed in June at the Samuel French Festival in NYC.  George then went on to perform in the Rockaway Theater Company's production of the classic musical The King & I, taking on the role of the Kralahome (the King's prime minister) and Simon LeGree.  In July he was cast as the Prince in the Shakespearian classic Romeo & Juliet which will be produced by the Brooklyn Theater Arts Project.  George returned to Narrows Community Theater to be part of the musical review "And We're Still Here" where he took on a number of roles including Marius from Les Miserables and Joseph from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Shortly thereafter he traveled to Middle Earth where he took on the role of the Great Goblin and an Mirkwood Elven Gaurd in the Heights Players production of The Hobbit.  George's next project was a huge step for him.  He was cast in his first ever leading role in the Cole Porter musical comedy classic "Anything Goes" where he played the young love-struck Wall Street broker Billy Crocker.  This role got to stretch his acting talents and prove to the theatrical community that he had what it takes to be a leading man on stage.  Since then he performed in the Heights Players 2005 Gala and Rockaway Theater Company's Rockaway Cafe - A Tribute to Piano Men.  Most recently he has been cast in The Heights Players original musical version of the classic A Christmas Carol where he will be playing the young Ebenezer Scrooge.
 

Anthony Maglio:

Anthony Maglio was born October 5, 1972 in Brooklyn N.Y. and spent his childhood listening to all kinds of music.  At the age of 5 his cousins Wayne and Thomas introduced him to Kiss and his love of Metal began.  By the age of 13, Anthony had started listening to bands like Dokken and Iron Maiden and had attended his first concert- Pink Floyd.  Dazzled by the theater and showmanship, he wanted to see more bands live and started frequenting local metal club L’Amour.  By 16 Anthony had attended hundreds of Metal shows and had seen bands like Metallica, Testament, and Overkill several times, as well as many local acts.  The urge to actually play music took over and prompted him to enroll in a high school guitar course.  This however was short lived since the school, for reasons unknown, stopped letting the students play and turned it into a theory course.  Disappointed and let down, he stopped playing and his guitar sat in a corner for 3 years.

At 19 years old Anthony received a call from a friend named Peter Lucas.  Peter had recently started playing guitar and knew Anthony had a guitar as well.  Peter asked Anthony to Co-found a Speed Metal /Thrash band called Silence.  Anthony promptly enrolled in private guitar lessons with a local instructor.  After 2 lessons, he decided there was nothing he was being taught that he couldn't learn himself, so he quit the lessons and started practicing and learning songs from some of his favorite bands.  The band was a go.

After a few years, and a lot of lineup changes and growing pains Silence finally broke up but Anthony had learned a great deal from the experience.  He now had solid experience playing and writing as well as performing on stage.  Anthony knew that he wanted to play music.

Anthony then hooked up with a former singer and drummer of Silence and formed a Thrash band called God Forbid.  During this time (approximately 1 year), Anthony was introduced to the music of Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Running Wild and Iced Earth by his friend Boris Zaidenberg.  The seemingly perfect blend of power and speed was what Anthony had been looking for all along.  Knowing this wasn't possible in his current band, he quit and left the band in the capable hands of his friend Andy Wong (rest in peace bro).

With the help of long time friend and promoter Dave Pando, he met George Tsalikis and Zandelle.  Having similar backgrounds and interests, George and Anthony instantly clicked and a friendship was born.  The band was impressed with Anthony's playing as well, and he was brought into the band.  Anthony' s influence on the band was strong and immediate, and can be heard on the band's second independent release Shadows of Reality.

During the recording of Twilight on Humanity, Anthony attended Paramedic school and finished third in his class. He also recently got married to his fiancé of 5 years Megan, who backs his pursuit of a career in music 100%. Anthony continues to grow as a musician and helps Zandelle create the awesome True Metal sound you hear on their current releases.

Anthony and wife Megan had their first child last October and have just celebrated her first birthday.

Joe "Jofu" Cardillo:

- Under Construction -
 
 

Joe Hartoularos:

- Under Construction -
 
 

Band Bio:

Zandelle’s first independent release caught the attention of independent record distributor Denis Gulbey.  He offered George a distribution deal for the six-song album to which George agreed.  George was completely surprised by the offer.  He hadn’t expected the album to be sold to anyone more than his friends and now it was being distributed internationally.  It wasn’t long before letters from all over the world from fans were sent to his house, praising the album and/or ordering it.  Meanwhile, George and Kirk were in search of a drummer.  Amit was unable to stay with them due to his being in Medical School (he has since graduated and is working as a doctor).  They tried out a number of people until they found one that clicked well with the band.  John Lasanta originally joined the band as a bassist but when the drummer they had been trying out didn’t work out, John switched to drums, leaving George the dual task of having to sing and play bass simultaneously.

It was around this time that George met his now long time friend Dave Pando.  Dave contacted George through one of his Bassist Wanted adds and explained that he was looking to start promoting Metal bands in the NY area to help bring back the scene which since the early 90’s had all but vanished.  Dave proceeded to book shows for Zandelle, who at the time were still a trio.  After a few shows, the members of Zandelle discussed possible ways to enhance the overall sound of the band.  Adding another guitarist was one option that George and John liked.  Kirk however was not for the idea, preferring to keep it a one-guitar band.  In the end however George and John won out.  Dave introduced George to guitarist Anthony Maglio who shortly thereafter came down to the studio to audition.  George, John and Anthony clicked instantly, both musically as well as personally.  Kirk, although he liked Anthony on a personal level, still was not happy about having to share his guitar responsibilities with anyone and within a few months left to pursue other projects.  The rest of the band understood and they parted on good terms.

Zandelle was soon in search of another guitarist.  They had tried out one or two guys but after playing with them for a little while, they realized they simply weren’t right for the band.  Once again Dave Pando came into the picture and suggested local guitarist Joe Hartoularos who at the time was only fifteen years old.  The band agreed to give Joe an audition despite their concerns about his age.  Within minutes of the audition, Joe had completely impressed the band with his playing ability.  They decided to have him come down a few more times to the studio before making any final decisions.  Joe came through with flying colors and was accepted into the ranks.

Around the same time, Zandelle had started recording their second independent release, Shadows of Reality.  Joe, having learned the songs only weeks prior, came into the recording studio and laid down his portion of the guitar tracks.  The album was released and Zandelle was once again offered a distribution deal by Sentinel Steel.  The release of the second album brought even greater recognition to Zandelle.  It wasn’t long before George began designing a website for the band to help promote Zandelle throughout the world.

As the band began increasing it’s popularity, both locally as well as internationally, drummer John Lasanta found himself uncomfortable with the idea of pursuing a musical career on a serious level.  He instead longed to settle down and raise a family and keep music only as a hobby.  Though the rest of the band originally hadn’t imagined pursuing music as a serious career, they could not deny the fact that such a possibility was getting larger with each passing moment.  Offers to play more shows, including various Metal Festivals around the country were starting to pour in.  Anthony, George and Joey knew that with John still in the band, most of those offers would have to be declined.  Though it was a difficult thing for the trio to do to their long time friend, they discussed their desires to take the band to the next level with John and explained to him why he could no longer be in the band.

Fortunately for Zandelle, another local band that they happened to be friends with had recently broken up, leaving drummer Bob Delmini in search of a band.  Zandelle auditioned Bob.  Seeing the potential in Bob’s playing, the George, Anthony, and Joey accepted him into the band.  Within a few months, Zandelle found themselves playing Milwaukee Metal Fest, one of the largest Metal Festivals in the United States.  Despite not having the greatest time slot, Zandelle made a pretty strong impact.  A few months after that, the foursome played another festival, this time in Baltimore, Maryland.

The members of Zandelle were extremely happy with the direction the band had taken since Bob joined.  Suddenly, after having practically given up all hope of finding a bassist to relieve George of that portion of his duties, the band was approached by a number of local musicians who expressed an interest in playing for the band.  For the first time in years, George suddenly found himself not having to play bass while singing.  The change felt strange at first.  George had been taking on the dual role for so long, he was slightly uncomfortable at first, but it wasn’t long before his live performance took on an even greater appeal.  Without having anything else to worry about, George was not only able to improve his showmanship, but was also able to focus all his energies into his singing, which drastically improved Zandelle’s live sound.

All was not perfect for the group however.  Due to personal reasons, guitarist Joe Hartoularos announced that he would have to leave the band.  The other members were quite upset upon hearing this however were very understanding.  The members of Zandelle once again found themselves looking for a guitarist.  George came across an ad in an online musicians classified that truly caught his eye.  The ad said something to the affect of, “I want to rule the world with Heavy Metal!”  George read on.  He noticed that the guitarist’s influences were virtually identical to those of the band.  He instantly emailed the guitarist.  When he finally heard back, George sent him a sample tape from the Shadows of Reality album.  Within a week, guitarist TW Durfy was in the studio auditioning.  The members of Zandelle were completely shocked by his ability to play the four songs flawlessly, including the solos.  TW became the newest member of the band.

Shortly thereafter, the bassist they had been playing with proved to be less than capable of handling the material and also proved to not work well with the rest of the band both professionally as well as personally.  He parted ways with the band.  George called up ex-guitarist Joe Hartoularos and asked if he would be kind enough to fill in on the bass for a show they had to perform in two weeks.  Joe eagerly accepted the opportunity to help out his long time friends.  Joe’s bass playing proved to be equally impressive (if not more) as was his guitar playing and the show was the best Zandelle had ever done up to that point.  After a couple of years of being the temporary bassist of the band, Joe accepted the offer to be the permanent bassist, something that has made everyone in the band extremely happy and will be featured on Zandelle's upcoming album.

Unfortunately, more changes were in store for Zandelle.  Drummer Bob Delmini parted ways with the band in 2003.  Though the members of Zandelle were saddened by this parting with their long time friend, it allowed for the band to recruit ex-October Thorns drummer Joe "Jofu" Cardillo, whose drumming abilities are virtually unmatched.

Tensions rose in the band in the end of 2003 between TW Durfy and the rest of the band when it became apparent that his attitude toward the band, the fans, and everyone associated with Zandelle in any way, was beyond poor and on the way to becoming extremely destructive.  There was no longer a choice.  The band was forced to part ways with TW and seek out a guitarist with the proper attitude and professionalism.

Since the band’s early beginnings, Zandelle has played a number of Metal Festivals, including the Milwaukee Metal Fest, PowerMad Fest, and has opened for international act such as Savatage, Fates Warning, UDO, Saxon, HelStar, Virgin Steel, and Pain of Salvation.  They have also completed recording their third album, Twilight on Humanity, which has captured the interest of Limb Music and Publishing of Germany and as a result has earned them their very first offer from a major record company who has a number of incredible Metal bands under their label, including Rhapsody, Angra and Wizard.  Zandelle is currently looking forward to releasing their 2nd album under LMP and are confident that with the support of such a well-known and reputable company, they will reach a very high level within the worldwide Metal scene.
 

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