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Life begins as an adult.
1979, after realizing that domestic life (retail management and
kids) in Connecticut was not his reality, Peter Wesley Bastone
makes the BIG move to Hollywood, California to pursue his dreams
of self worth. He resides at his cousin, actor Dondi Bastone Hollywood
bungalow while attending Los Angeles City College as a broadcasting
major.
Through contacts at the college, Peter lands his first disc jockey
gig at the then largest disco in Hollywood, Circus Disco. During
the next several years Peter spins records in some of Hollywood's
most celebrated night clubs of the 1980's, (Club Lingerie, Al's
Bar, Rainbow Room, The Theoretical, Anti-Club, Seven Seas, Cathy
de Grande, The Roxy) as well as some of the most underground speak
- easy (Brave Dog, Lhasa Club, Soho). Through this adventure Peter
developed his own form of music programming known as the Ear for
Musik Play list. The EFM Play list is programming blending popular,
underground and b-side music. Peter also made some cameo stage
appearances at Hollywood Actors Theater.
In late 1980 Peter was introduced to Los Angeles artist and socialite
Jack Ren Marquette. Through Jacks social tutelage, Peter began
attracting record industry representatives such as, Craig Kostich
(Warner Bros.), Jeff Laufer (Polygram), Bob McDonald (Important
Records), Sandie Minisian (Columbia/Sony) etc,etc to the Ear for
Musik play list.
In 1983 Peter finally makes the radio scene through guest appearances
on local college radio stations KPSC (The Bill Dolan Show) and
KCRW (Hot Spot with Ken Pentel). This leads to his own radio show
which he co-hosted with Music Connection writer Richard Crowley
on station K.P.F.K.-FM (Burbank,CA). Peter remixes the horrible
song 'Brain Brain' by MENTAL AS ANYTHING on A&M records (his
first record credit, lol)
Peter furthers his career by spinning at rap parties for national recording acts, The BANGLES, ANDRE CYMONE and the SUBURBAN LAWNS including the rap party for the premiere of the hit movie 'Diva'. Peter also dj's the very first JANES ADDICTION gig and was forced to do sound for THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (15 minute set lol ) at the Fiesta House. This exposure leads Peter to reporting his EFM play list to industry rags and record pools (Catazine, Friday Morning Quarterback, Rockpool, W.A.R.D. and S.C.R.D.). The party continues, but starts to get old as Peter branches out mixing live sound for local L. A. bands The Party Boys and Faith Assembly. Peter also begins managing keyboardist/ producer Doug Green, booking shows, programming, and selecting songs.
In 1986 Peter decides to unite with Doug, bass man Hubert Rodrigues, and drummer Robert Bauer to form the art-rock band Grènpètr (pronounced Green Peter). Meeting back with Craig Kostich, gives the band a realistic look at the road ahead.
In 1987 Jack Marquette agrees to manage Grènpètr.
The band performs numerous Hollywood and Los Angeles club dates
while stock piling new songs. Drummer Robert Bauer quits to act
on a Fox T.V. sitcom, while close friend Brenna Martin joins the
band part time to help Peter with the vocal chores. Brief stints
by guitarists Johnny Rodriquez (John co writes the Grènpètr
rocker 'Mikal is a Puppet' with Peter) and Chaden Chapmen give
the band a truly loud live sound.
Grènpètr starts to get scene recognition with a
nomination by Twisted Roots leader Paul Roessler for best unsigned
band in Music Connection Magazine (Vol.XL No.25 Dec 14- Jan. 10,1989)
Grènpètr releases a critically acclaimed full
length cassette entitled Al's Bar (Ben is Dead review Dec/Jan
1991/1992 Issue No. 16 - 17)
By 1991, Grènpètr adds Doug Duffy (Snail Face) on
drums, Patrick English on trumpet, Donny James (TV TVS) rhythm
guitar and Devo guitarist and producer Bob Mothersbaugh. While
Grènpètr becomes one of the hottest Hollywood rock
bands of the early 90's, it also becomes the beginning of the
end. While Grènpètr's last recording entitled `Varsity
Rock' produced by Bob Mothersbaugh was a success, the stress of
this minimal success causes Grènpètr to break up
(Peters drug meltdown).
Shortly after the break-up Peter continues his solo career with former band mates Hubert Rodrigues, Don Wingert and the additions of Kyle C.Kyle (Wild Stares) on drums and Alex Konya (Dick Tit) on guitar. After a handful of shows in Hollywood, Peter decides to call Los Angeles quits.
Peter moves back home to Connecticut in August of 1993, and immediately hooks up with old friends Mick and Chic McKnickNix of the punk rock band The McKnickNix. By December of that year, Peter is performing with a lineup called the Kids (Chum Muller, Greg Conti and Chic).
In 1994 Peter and guitarist Charles Muller III (The Kids) begin writing and performing under the name p.w.b.-rono (the name rono is in memory of guitarist Mick Ronson). Consulting with New York entertainment lawyer Andrew Horowitz gives p.w.b.-rono commercial direction as songwriters and performers. p.w.b.-rono plays charities and local club dates while finishing their dark recording `Songs from the Bible Annex'.
Peter, again begins working with Chic McKnickNix, producing the locally hip public-access TV show for Media-One/Cox Communications entitled Media Factory Show. During this time they also manage to produced the Divine Idiots cd `Commercial Pig'.
Chic and Peter return to the studio to record Peter's latest
solo CD `Going to Heaven'. (see all of Peters videos at www.netshows.us)
Currently, Peter is the owner of Netshows (www.netshows.us), a
Promotional Production Company (Media Factory TV, Media Factory
Records) started with partner Chic McKnickNix. Netshows is still
producing Media Factory Show TV for Cox Cable in northern Connecticut
and now online at www.netshows.us, while developing the Netshows
Online Video Network and producing music videos.
Netshows Online Video
www.myspace.com/mediafactoryshowtv
www.myspace.com/peterwesleybastone
Peter performs now and then with the Divine Idiots and is always
promoting "Going to Heaven' while co hosting all new episodes
of Media Factory Show TV with Chic.
He is living in the backroom of Media Factory Records and can
be reach at netshows@aol.com.
RECOMMENDATIONS
"It gives me pleasure in dealing with Peter Wesley because of his knowledge in modern and black music."
"I have found Peter Wesley to be extremely efficient and very self-motivated,I would definitely recommend him for any position,a value for any establishment."
"Throughout my years of dealing with Peter as a club programmer and disc jockey, i have been impressed with his broad knowledge different types of music and in picking out tomorrows hits."
"We have had a long and rewarding relationship with Peter Wesley and have the utmost respect for his dj and personnel professionalism.He is always a "trend setter"and is responsible for a lot of "breakout"records on the west coast."
"It gives me pleasure to recommend dj Peter Wesley as a promoter of fine new music."
