History

If you made your way out to the multitude of  nightclubs that were scattered throughout Upstate NY and New England in the 1980's,
one local band stood out from the rest with their
hard hitting covers of the days most listened to songs,
that band was New York's own
M-16 "The Ultimate Rock & Roll Weapon".


Before heading out for the night, one would pick up the local
Metroland Magazine or Newspaper to find out who was playing in the clubs. Scanning the many nightclub advertisements offered,
all eyes were searching for the familiar
machine gun totting grim reaper logo that was M-16's. 

When you found that advertisement you knew you were in for a night
of serious rock & roll, and a packed house as well.

From 1983 to 1990, M-16 continuously packed the local nightclubs from the smallest of clubs to the areas largest venues with music lovers from all walks of life. When many bands were churning out the softer side of the synth pop rock of the 80's, M-16 was known for their set list chock full of the heavier side of 80's metal cover rock with hits by Accept, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Scorpions and a fist full of M-16 originals as well. The band was also known for their line-up of some of the most talented musicians the area had to offer, not to mention their high energy concert style shows packed with rows of flashing lights, thumping speakers and yes kids, spandex & and loads of hairspary!
 M-16 was a metal lovers dream come true! It's easy to see why a buzz about the band swept throughout the area quickly, making every
M-16 show one not to be missed. 
 
M-16 opened for many National acts throughout the years and in 1986 took the opening spot for Poison when Singer Brett Michaels became ill
and opened a show for Ratt at the RPI Field House in front of
thousands of screaming rock fans.
 
They also released their own album of original material named
"Locked And Loaded" in 1988.

 

Although M-16's line-up may have changed throughout the years, the musicianship and direction of the band never faltered. The band became a proving ground for the areas most talented musicians, and for close to a decade M-16 kept assaulting the stages of the areas hottest nightclubs in true rock form never missing a beat helping to keep the clubs packed night after night. After many years of sold out shows and making many hundreds of friends and fans, M-16 finally said their farewell in 1990 and disbanded.

After all the years have passed, when one thinks back of the 80's, it's hard to forget the many incredible clubs that M-16 played at that offered live music almost every night of the week; Bogies (Albany),The Skyway (Scotia), The New York City Cafe 1 & 2 (Albany and Schenectady), Obsession's & The Joker (Gloversville), The Bijou (Saratoga Springs), The Lake Theater (Lake George), The Hullabaloo (Latham), Night Fever (Schenectady & Johnstown), Allens (Scotia), The Gallery (Schenectady), Mystics (Schenectady), Night Shift (Schenectady), Saratoga Winners (Clifton Park) Tigers (Now Northern Lights, Clifton Park), JB Scotts (Albany), QE2 (Albany), Woody's Roadhouse (Washington, MA),
The Cellar & The Grotto (Pittsfield, MA), Stone Pony (Cobleskill),
The Sandpiper (Watervliet), Muddy's Too (Watervliet), Reflections East (Watervliet), Club Texas (Burlington,VT), Excalibur (Portsmouth,NH), Free Street Pub (Portland,ME) Infinity's (Springfield,MA) and many others.

This area was also the home of many unforgettable and gifted touring bands such as 805, Alex Star, Angel Cruz, Blacksmith, China White, East Wall, 
EB Jebb
Kyrie Ellison, Mystic Haze, New York Flyers, Ravage, Reckless Romance, Redline, Roxx, Run 21, Triffid, Valhalla, Virgin, Visitor, Von Rudder, Wrathchild and many others. With so many talented bands playing the club circuit in those days, it was hard to compete with such amazing musicians
and bands let alone stand out, but it's certain that
M-16 stands near the top of the list making them true local music legends.

 Now 20 years later, with the majority of the areas hotspots and bands left only in our memories, M-16 is back on the scene offering their nostalgic recipe
of the 80's most memorable songs mixed with today's hottest rock hits.
Whether you're an older rocker from back in the day or a newer fan, get out your Maiden concert t-shirts (or better yet your M-16 T's), tease and spray your hair with some Aquanet , and head out for a night of rockin' music
that will bring back the fun and memories of the 80's!

If you missed the incredible music of the '80's,
stop out to see
one of the areas great music legends return to the stage.
M-16 is sure to have you on your feet screaming for more
no matter what your age.

 M-16 BAND LINE-UPS:

1983
Greg Simmons - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Gary Ranze - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke- Bass Guitar
Tom Verrigni - Drums 
   
1983
Greg Simmons - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Eddie Scutt - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke- Bass Guitar
Tom Verrigni - Drums 
  
1984
Darren O'Brien - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Eddie Scutt - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke - Bass Guitar
Tom Verrigni - Drums 
 
  
1984
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke- Bass Guitar
Tom Verrigni - Drums
 
  
1985
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke - Bass Guitar
Pete Sivaslian - Drums
 
  
1988
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke- Bass Guitar
Gary Seely - Drums 
 
  
Late 1988
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Russ Harnish- Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke - Bass Guitar
Gary Seely - Drums 
 
  
1989
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Dan Wos - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke - Bass Guitar
Gary Seely - Drums
 

December 1990  M-16 Disbanded
  
Sadly Drummer of M-16 from 1985-1988 Pete Sivaslian passed away in 2000
This site is in Memory of Pete, our brother!
   

20 YEAR REUNION - 2007
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke - Bass Guitar
Gary Seeley - Drums

2010
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Steve "Mote" VanDyke - Bass Guitar
Aaron Foland - Drums

2012
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Jack Dowling - Bass Guitar
Aaron Foland - Drums

2014
Lenny Thomas - Lead Vocals
Glen Oliver - Lead Guitar
Kevin Egnor - Rythm Guitar
Jack Dowling - Bass Guitar
Wayne"Brud"Hills - Drums
 

Website Builder