‘Deaf Rock’ Takes Aim at America’s Hearing World

After 30 years of performing before deaf audiences across the United States of America, the all-deaf rock and roll band, Beethoven’s Nightmare made music history in Nov. 15 with the recording of its first album, “Turn It Up Louder” at Ocean Way Studios in Hollywood.

“I want to be an American in a Rock and Roll Band” and “Turn It Up Louder” are the lead songs on the 10-song CD.

“We love music. And we want to show America and the world that being deaf doesn’t exclude you from loving and performing music,” deaf-guitarist Steve Longo said on behalf of the all-deaf trio. “We want to dispel the mystery and myths about deafness and deliver our work of art that we’d like to believe Ludwig Van Beethoven would have found intriguing.” Beethoven’s birthday is Dec. 17.

Thirty years ago, Steve Longo, (guitarist) Bob Hiltermann (drummer) and Ed Chevy (bass player) launched their inventive journey when the three met while attending college at Galluadet University in Washington, D.C. Their passion for rock and roll music kept them playing and finding ways to excel and defy deaf barriers.

Ron Tish of Koke Kula Records, Inc., in Honolulu, arranged the first-of-its kind crossover work. Ocean Way Studios owner Allen Sides engineered and mixed the work with Jeff Burns. The all-deaf band’s debut CD features a star-studded lineup of hearing musicians: legendary studio musicians guitarist Mitch Holder, percussionist Emil Richard and pianist Pat Demain and vocalists brother-sister duo Troy and Cheesa Laureta. VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific and Koke Kula Records, Inc., co-produced the project under Koke Kula Record label.