The Band
Mike Gladstone
Rob Smith
Emmett Ientilucci
Don Torpy
Formed at the beginning of 2014, Junkyardfieldtrip was originally put together as a songwriting vehicle for Mike Gladstone and Rob Smith. After adding one of western NY’s top rhythm sections (Emmett Ientilucci and Don Torpy), the band started playing acoustic shows around the Rochester, NY area. Eventually the band started writing and playing more electric material. Over the last few years, Junkyardfieldtrip has quickly become one of the region’s most in-demand, eclectic bands, being nominated by City Newspaper’s Best of Rochester award for best band. The band is currently working on their 2nd full length album and is planning to release it in 2022.
Mike Gladstone
GUITAR/VOCALS
Mike is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer currently living in Fairport, NY. Playing guitar since he was 8 years old, he was first turned on to rock music via the Beatles. Other influences are Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour and more recently, Tommy Emmanuel. He owns and operates a recording studio (Tonesearch Studios) and is currently working on Junkyardfieldtrip material and producing/recording that of other bands/artists. In addition, he produces music for advertising, film and television. Mike was the guitarist/founding member of western NY band Uncle Plum and a former member of Times Square, Cheater, Woody Dodge, and The Tommy Brunett Band. In addition to JYFT, he also currently plays guitar with Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Joe Brucato & the Joyous Noise and Cosco, Gladstone & Cosco.
Mike has shared the stage with artists such as ZZ Top, Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Eddie Money, Jefferson Starship, Kelly Pickler, Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, The Gin Blossoms, George Thorogood, Joan Osborn, Lit and many others.
Rob Smith
LEAD VOCAL/GUITAR
Rob sings and plays acoustic guitar. He began singing in church choir, and played tuba in the high school band. After high school, he played in a few local bands in the Finger Lakes and the Rochester area (4:20, Polluted Moon). A couple of side gigs with Mike led to songwriting, which led to the formation of Junkyardfieldtrip.
Favorite bands: The Beatles, Yes, Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Foreigner, Tool, John Mayer, Ray LaMontagne, and Jason Isbell
Emmett Ientilucci
DRUMS/PERCUSSION/VOCALS
Raised in Rochester, New York. Started playing drums at 15 years old. Studied with David Cohen until moving to Los Angeles. Graduated with honors from the Musicians Institute, Percussion Institute of Technology (PIT), in Los Angeles, California. Studies with Ralph Humphry (Drummer for Dancing with the Stars, Paul Anka, Frank Zappa, Al Jarreau, Wayne Shorter), Steve Houghton (Woody Herman’s band, Doc Severinson, Gary Burton, Joe Henderson), Joe Porcaro (first call percussionist for film and TV, Father of Jeff Porcaro, drummer for Toto), Dave Beyer (Melissa Etheridge), and Casey Scheuerell (Gino Vanelli, Jon-Luc Ponty).
Some of the artists he has played for include Al Chez (trumpet player for the Paul Shaffer CBS Orchestra, David Letterman Show, TOP, Robert Cray), Gene Cornish (The Rascals, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee), Gary van Scyoc (John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder), Denny Braun (sax w/Tina Turner’s husband, Ike) and Tom Politzer and Adolfo Acosta (Tower of Power) along with over 50 other western NY groups. He has shared the stage with groups such as Molly Hatchet, Leslie West (Mississippi Queen), and the Good Rats and is also the drummer for the The Kire Najdovski Band. Emmett also possesses uncanny MacGyver-esque skills.
Don Torpy
BASS
As a veteran of the local music scene for the past 20 plus years, Don has enjoyed working with some of the best bands, and musicians, that the city has to offer. Being a self-taught musician, he grew up playing along with many of the great bands of the past, heavily influenced by Chicago, Tower of Power, and Rush, just to name a few. Don continue’s to study and learn as a bassist/musician, from past greats, such as Jaco Pastorius, and present works from players, Marcus Miller, and Tom Kennedy. In addition to JYFT, Don is also the bassist for The Kire Najdovski Band, and Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk. “It’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes that you don’t.”