Pynchon Music: Lot 49 & Yoyodyne

Perhaps it is only a myth that Steve and Marc met on a Newark-bound bus, both bearing guitars and their copies of Thomas Pynchon’s paranoid novella, The Crying of Lot 49. Or perhaps the rumors are true that Jared and John shared a locker when they worked together in the East Lansing sanitation department. Although Lot 49’s early years are shrouded in mystery and controversy, what is known is that today they are formidable purveyors of melodic pop anthems, catchy harmonies, and music that both your little sister and your acerbic older brother would like.

Their first gig was in the back room of a Sam Ash Music store, where Steve Cannarelli impressed the staff by playing an unprecedented number of notes. Since then, they have moved beyond retail and have become regulars at such fine venues as: CBGB’s, The Luna Lounge, The Fez, Continental, Under Acme, CB’s Gallery 313, The Lion’s Den, Arlene’s Grocery, and The Baggot Inn.

Marc Dinkin—Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Kenny Dinkin—Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Steve Cannarelli—Lead Guitar, Harmonies
John Zeman—Bass, Harmonies
Jared Nissim—Drums, Timpani

Band member emeritus Kenny Dinkin founded LOT 49 with his brother Marc in the summer of 1995. He moved to San Francisco, where he played with Michael Wyman and Joe Pettit in a band called Yoyodyne.

After Yoyodyne, Kenny Dinkin formed a Bay-Area band called the Secret Identities:

Kenny Dinkin—Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Mario DeSio—Vocals, Lead Guitar
Howard Folksanger—Bass
Ken Gregg—Drums

Secret Identities Homepage — The band’s official Web site, last updated in 2015.

Secret Identities Bandcamp Page — Kenny Dinkin has made LOT 49 and Yoyodyne records available on the Secret Identities Bandcamp page.

LOT 49 Discog Page — Collects album covers and information on the LOT 49’s releases.

Author: Dr Larry Daw
Last Modified: 7 November 2021
Main Pynchon Page: Spermatikos Logos
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