Mojo Gurus, with its sizzling front man, Kevin Steele, is no longer just a local musical pleasure.
By GINA VIVINETTO
Published June 24, 2004
[Times photo: Jamie Francis]
Linda Militello, left, and Steele, right, have worked out a long-lasting relationship that includes her styling the band members’ hair.
According to Kevin Steele, local musician and lead singer for the band Mojo Gurus, his job requires a love of attention and a bit of vanity.
Mojo Gurus is one of the Tampa Bay area's most popular acts for a reason: This blues rocking quartet's live shows are hot. It's not just the local music scene that relishes the Mojos; the band plays all over the country, with two gigs in Los Angeles next month at the famed Cat Club and the Viper Room. The Mojo Gurus' most recent CD, Hot Damn, is a sizzling collection of swampy blues with a punky attitude. Onstage, the band is fun to watch. That's thanks, in part, to lead singer Kevin Steele's feisty way with a microphone stand, his untamed growl, and well - look at him. The guy is a total rock star.
From Steele's bedraggled, blond-streaked hair - thanks to girlfriend, stylist Linda Militello, to his black shades and cowboy hats, this guy was born to front a rock 'n' roll band.
And Steele, who lives with Militello and their dog, Max, in St. Petersburg, knew it, too. The minute he watched The Monkees.
The Monkees?
Steele, who is in his late 30s, answers the questions as Militello assists.
(1) Lots of people call the Mojos "blues rock," but how do you describe your sound?
The blues is definitely an element of what we do, but I think it's more like, if you took the New York Dolls and they had a head-on collision with Muddy Waters (laughs). Then the Bowery Boys put them all back together again. (Laughs.)
The blues is like punk, it's just very simple, heartfelt music. We're not blues purists, but we are definitely blues enthusiasts.
(2) Is it beneficial having a live-in stylist?
Oh, yeah. Linda does all our (the band members') hair. I think David Lee Roth said it best: rock 'n' roll is as much about a good haircut and good shoes as it is a good song. (Laughs.)
No seriously, when you meet your soulmate, and she can put blond streaks in your hair? Man, you know that's true love. (Laughs.)
How long have the two of you been together?
Fifteen years, man.
Militello: (Correcting Steele, rolling eyes.) Seventeen years.
Steele: We were both kids, man.
(3) Would your fans be surprised to know how handy you are with carpentry? You two have renovated several houses.
Light carpentry. I can hang drywall. Paint. Stuff like that. But, it has taken years off my life, man. I've inhaled too much fungus. It's not very glamorous.
(4) You work that mike stand like a pro, twisting it, twirling it. Be honest with me: Did you practice those moves?
Look, I always knew from the time I was little this was the life for me. Since the time I saw The Monkees, the episode where the girls were chasing Davey Jones around the Eiffel Tower and ripping his shirt off.
At that time, I didn't know I had any musical ability; I just wanted to live that lifestyle. I just wanted to have girls rip my clothes off. And no matter how uncool or unpopular it is to admit it, yes, of course I practiced all kinds of moves in my bedroom, in front of a mirror. I was already an accomplished lead singer before I ever stepped foot onstage. (Laughs.)
(5) Mojo Gurus shows can get pretty wild. What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you onstage?
You know what it was? Seriously? You know when people jump onstage and freak out? Or a girl jumps onstage and runs at you?
One time, right here in Tampa, at the Masquerade, on New Year's Eve, years and years ago, back when I was in the Roxx Gang (Steele's glam band that was popular during the 1980s), she (points at Militello) jumped onstage!
Militello: It was because of Jack Daniel's.
Steele: My own girlfriend! It was so weird.
Had you just started going out?
No! We had been going out already for years! I went through a range of emotions. I was flattered. Kind of. But, embarrassed, like, "Baby? What are you doing?'
But, hey, if you can get your own girlfriend crazy enough to jump onstage, that's pretty cool.
How do you handle the female fans, because I see you have lots of them.
After 17 years, Linda knows the deal. She's just cool, man. She knows who I'm going home with every night.
To be a front man for a band, it takes a person who wants attention, for whatever reason, and someone who's a little vain. She lets me have my fun.
-- Gina Vivinetto can be reached at 727 893-8565 or gina@sptimes.com
PREVIEW
Mojo Gurus performs at 9:30 p.m. Friday at Scooby's, 2182 Main St., Dunedin.
