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Press Release: ‘Girl Next Door’ single from the debut ‘Tragicomic’ album Out now via Magic Door Record Label

Greg Amici shares 'Girl Next Door', ode to the unsung heroes of the music industry.

Debut 'Tragicomic' album is out now

FOR FANS OF: Harvey Danger, Spacehog, Cracker, Foo Fighters, Third Eye Blind, Cheap

Trick, Tom Petty, Our Lady Peace, The Breeders

INFLUENCED BY: The Who, The Kinks, XTC, The Velvet Underground, The Beatles,

David Bowie, The Doors, Bob Dylan

FOCUS TRACKS: No Fool, Cynthia Come to Me, Remedy, Greenwood, Pumpkin Man, I'll

Be Back, Tom Seaver, Jennifer

FCC clean


FOR SHARING

'I’ll Be Back' video https://youtu.be/z_YdFpHwnlM

'Jennnifer (lyric video) https://youtu.be/EaNeP9oJTmI

'Remedy' (lyric video) https://youtu.be/CCklxXprJtA

'Cynthia, Come To Me' (lyric video) https://youtu.be/h19hMlwvRv4

FOR REVIEW & AIRPLAY

Online press kit https://haulix.promo/vxtj

Download via Google Drive https://tinyurl.com/GregAmici-PressKit

New Jersey artist Greg Amici presents his new single 'Girl Next Door', a love letter to the

unsung heroes of the music industry, inspired by a real-life "Lucy", who champions forgotten talent, all brought to life with a visually explosive video crafted in a single, back-

spasm-inducing day.


Amici's recently-released debut album 'Tragicomic' is a storied set of 12 songs, released

by Montclair-based indie imprint Magic Door Record Label. On the trail of the classic rock

stinger 'No Fool' and lead track 'I'll Be Back', this record offers a blend of absurdist-rock,

ska, Americana, folk-punk and straight-up classic rock, with a clear-eyed view of the world

through Amici’s unique lens. Greg's lyrics often offer an unexpected turn of phrase,

delivered with full-throated rock power.


With roots firmly planted in Jersey, his creative journey has taken him from the heart of

Manhattan to Los Angeles and back again. In the late '90s, Greg formed Big Honey, a

NYC-based band whose rise peaked with an appearance at the CMJ Music Festival but

paused indefinitely when a vocal polyp sidelined Greg for years. Despite this setback, he

didn't let his distinctive voice and songwriting abilities go to waste, returning to the studio

after a 16-year hiatus.


Reuniting with producer James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter) and

engineer / drummer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms,

Luna) at Magic Door Studio in Montclair, the creative process led to a string of upbeat

satires ('Cynthia, Come to Me', 'No Fool') and ominous ballads ('Junky Eyes', 'In Like a

Lion'). The resultant album was mastered by award-winning engineer Greg

Calbi (Lennon, Bowie, Springsteen, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Tom Petty).

The 'Tragicomic' album also involved former Amici bandmates Joe Gentile (Big

Honey) and Tommy Aboussleman (Electric TNT), along with special guests Tony

Shanahan (Patti Smith Band) and Renee LoBue (Elk City) contributing to the recording.

Whether it’s a "serial killer romance" or a biting satire, Greg Amici proves that a Jersey

count knows how to count on rock ‘n’ roll.


"At the turn of the century, I wrote a pilot about a bitter has-been/never-was

singer/songwriter who is reinvigorated when a young record label assistant sees him

perform at a dingy club, loves his music, and sets out to garner him some recognition and respect in the business. Naturally, I took a hand at writing the theme song for this never-

realized piece of genius: hence 'Girl Next Door'. The “Lucy” character was an invention, but as I began writing the script, I looked around for someone to serve as the model. I used to

hang out with my old friend Matt Pinfield when he was at CBS, and would often come

across his lovely, sweet-as-pie, hardworking, ambitious assistant. I realized I had my

model. That girl was the now-famous Allison Hagendorf," says Greg Amici.


"Mark Jaworski designed and did all the photography for 'Tragicomic'. I think he’s a genius.

We’d discussed doing a video for one of the songs. We were going to do something cool,

but time-consuming. I wanted to get a video out by the middle of July, and time was

marching on, so I called him and asked if we could just do it in one day in his studio. I left it

to him to choose from several potential singles. On the day I arrived at the studio, he said

he had a vision for “Girl Next Door.” He sure did. My role was to twist, turn, pound, and

cackle. The rest was all Mark. I had a blast, and the result was worth the back spasms I

suffered the next day."


Tracing his aristocratic lineage through Italian family names Benedetti, Stalute and Scala,

Greg found his calling as a musician in high school, inspired by local bands. Picking up the

guitar in his teens, he founded his first band, The Clergy and later formed the '80s alt-rock

band Junk.


The 'Tragicomic' album is out now, available everywhere, including Apple

Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The double-gatefold limited-edition vinyl LP Includes lyrics

and liner notes. The CD comes with a CD wallet and includes a 16-page booklet with lyrics

and liner notes. Amici will be supporting this album with a series of live performances.


CREDITS

All songs written by Greg Amici, except 'Jennifer' by Bert Sommer

Greg Amici - lead & backing vocals

James Mastro - guitars, piano, bass, sax, mandolin

Ray Ketchem - drums, percussion

Tony Shanahan - bass

Joe Gentile - backing vocals, acoustic guitar

Renée LoBue - backing vocals

Tommy Aboussleman - guitars

Chris Robertson - guitars

Produced by James Mastro

Recorded & mixed by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording in Montclair, NJ

Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound

Art direction, design & photography by Mark Jaworski

Released by Magic Door Record Label

Video created by David Fagin


Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

TRACK LIST

01 Pumpkin Man

02 Spin That Ball

03 Cynthia, Come to Me

04 Girl Next Door

05 Remedy

06 Junky Eyes

07 Greenwood

08 In Like a Lion

09 No Fool

10 Tom Seaver

11 Jennifer

12 I'll Be Back


Keep up with Greg Amici

Press contact: Shauna McLarnon from Shameless Promotion

 
 
 

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© 2025 by GREG AMICI

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