A.J. Novello

A.J. Novello (born Anthony Joseph Novello on January 2nd, 1967 in Astoria, New York) is the guitarist/songwriter and founding member of New York] hardcore punk band Leeway. He is considered to be one of the few responsible for the original crossover of metal and hardcore in the New York hardcore scene in the mid 1980s.

Signing with the Profile Records label in late 1987 Leeway released their debut album, "Born to Expire" in 1989 to excellent reviews despite the album's delayed release of more than a year.

After releasing three more albums, going out on several American and European tours, and releasing 3 videos("Kingpin", "3 Wishes", "Foot the Bill") Leeway disbanded in 1995. During this time A.J. and fellow former Leeway members Pokey Mo, and Eddie Cohen joined forces with former Cro Mags vocalist John Joseph to form the band Both Worlds.

Both Worlds went on to release the E.P. "Beyond Zero Gravity" on Another Planet Records in 1996 and a full length CD "Memory Rendered Visible" on Roadrunner Records in 1998 before disbanding later that year.

In between tours with Leeway and Both Worlds, A.J. has lent his talents playing guitar and bass for a number of New York bands such as Cro Mags, Sick of It All, Murphy's Law, Breakdown, Lords of Brooklyn, Hesher, Aluminum Babe, Pop Mafia, Novena, and Fearless Vampire Killers(F.V.K.). He also went on various tours with them including Japan, Australia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii.

A.J. Novello also produced a number of different band's albums from various genres including records by Leeway, Merauder, Breakdown, Both Worlds, Mushmouth, Fit of Anger, Cold Front, Twin Barrels Burning, Swoon, and Pop Mafia.–In the summer of 2006, Leeway reunited with the original "Desperate Measures" line-up("Profile Records 1991") and toured Europe(the band's twelfth tour there).

A.J. Novello co-wrote the song, "Enforcer" which landed on the blockbuster multi-platform video game Grand Theft Auto IV, released in 2008.

A.J. is currently working on original material for an unnamed project set for release in the first quarter of 2009.