Backpages: Let’s hear it for the band

They may be “taking care of business everyday”, as the Bachman Turner Overdrive lyrics suggest, but the five musicians who make up Backpages, look forward to their ‘gigs’ as a way of both escaping the daily grinds of life, and getting a bit nostalgic by reconnecting to their youth.

Born out of an encounter at a bar mitzvah years back, founding members “Crazy” Peretz Buchsbaum, lead singer and Michael Kaufman, keyboard, were later joined by Five Towns residents Mark Beinstock, lead guitar, and Don Simon, bass. Barry Simon, Don’s brother, also a Long Islander, soon after came on board. Together almost ten years, the band that covers classic rock hits from The Beatles, The Doors, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, as well as Motown tunes, attracts a broad spectrum of the Orthodox community that travel from Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Jersey, and Manhattan for an evening of classic rock.

Frontman Peretz Buchsman, who is self described as a “renaissance man” gets nostalgic when he speaks about his upcoming “gig” at Backstage in Woodmere on March 10, where the band has played several times. “It’s a chance for people to see others that they haven’t seen in a long time. People that they grew up with.” The band which has also played at notable venues such as Kenny’s Castaway’s, the Lion’s Den, Tavern on the Green and the West End Café, is happy to keep coming back to Backstage for their faithful following. “When I see the crowd enjoying the music as much as we enjoy playing it, it’s a certain high derived from that, a euphoria in a sense,” noted bandmember Michael Kaufman. “We keep coming back to Backstage for all the faithful fans, it’s a great outlet, a cathartic experience.”

Mark Bienstock, lead guitarist, who has been playing guitar since he was fifteen, and had been with several bands in his past finds the experience “as a way to relax with people that you enjoy being with, no pressure, a way to have fun.” When reminiscing about the bands several performances one especially came to mind. “When my oldest son Lee, was old enough to see the me play, at Kenny’s Castaway’s, he remarked, ‘Dad I knew you could play guitar, but I never really thought you could play guitar.’ Lee was seemingly in awe to see his father play a rendition of Guns and Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine”, as Mark recalls. “All in all ,its just a lot of fun,” added Beinstock.

Bandmembers who professionally have careers in healthcare, hospital administration, banking and graphics, are each affiliated in their respective communities. Peretz, who often leads services at Young Israel of Staten Island , “takes pride in playing classic rock, and keeping rock –n- roll pure, while being Orthodox and connected to G-d at the same time” He’s happy to have a foot in two worlds and feels that “one identity doesn’t preclude the other.”

West Hempstead resident and faithful Backpages fan, Jerry Richter, is excited about their upcoming performance on March 10. “I’m a good friend of Peretz and know him for over 30 years. I so enjoy watching Backpages perform, not just for the music. It’s like walking into a time warp and being transported to Kosher Country or Subo at Brooklyn College. Bumping into old friends who you used to hang around with and listen to music with 30 years ago. For me it’s a bit of a surreal experience because I get to see people I haven’t seen in years. The old chevra. It’s like Facebook, but with a soundtrack.”