Pittsburgh's CosmoSonics released their first CD Junk Rock. . . For Lovers in May 2007 and have played all over the Northeastern U.S. since then.

"Our music is in the vein of early Cheap Trick, meets today's Buckcherry. . . sonically, we're trying to capture the rawness and the realness of our 'live' guitar sound, while keeping the rhythm section up. Wewant our music to sound very energetic on CD." says Gary D'Grave, vocalist and guitarist for the band.

D'Grave plays a white 1994 Epiphone Les Paul and a black Ibanez Iceman. On the latter he is not sure of the year.

"I really dig the weight of the LP, and I also like the ability to 'toggle' between pickups. I'm not necessarily an Ibanez fan, but the Iceman is so easy to play," he says.

He has used a Jackson Dinky (and hated it), and had a Westone as his "beater" for years.

Guitarist Chaz Zalapski plays a couple of Gibson Les Pauls from the 2000's One is a sunburst and the other a honeyburst.

"I like the LP's ability to sound both clear and powerful," he says. "I used to have a Gibson V, SG, Explorer, and some Fender Strats -- I prefer the LP to all of them."

Bassist Rocky Lamonde's bass is a homemade Les Paul body with a Hamer neck. He is apparently the band's most laconic member. He says only; "I love my bass."

And we are sure it loves you as well. You can see a picture of it on the band's MySpace page.

Angelo Amantea plays Yamaha Stage Custom drums, Sabian (crash) cymbals and Zildjian (ride, hi-hat) cymbals.

"I love the warm Sabian crashes and the Yamaha mounts," says Amantea. "I've used Pearls and Pacifics before."

Both D'Grave and Zalapski use Marshal amps. The former a 1984 Marshal JCM 800 through a half stack, The latter uses a JCM 2000 through a 1960 4 x 12 cabinet.

When it comes to effects the two guitarists keep it fairly simple.

"I use a Boss Tuner and a Boss equalizer pedal (for lead boosts only) -- I run them both through an effects loop." says Zalapski.

D'Grave uses a Korg Tuner among other pedals.

"I use a Boss equalizer (for lead boosts), a Dunlop Wah pedal, and a MXR Phase 90," says D'Grave "I run the equalizer through an effects loop; everything else is straight into the head."

The band has shows planned throughout the summer from Pittsburgh to Baltimore and beyond. They will also be working on new material.

"We begin recording the follow-up to "Junk Rock. . . For Lovers" in July -- 12 songs, not sure when it will be released." says D'Grave.