Greg Loiacono and Stingray - “We Don’t Talk, We Just Play”
Guests:
Greg Loiacano – vocals, guitar
Michael Urbano – drums
Vicki Randle – percussion
Greg Loiacano – vocals, guitar
Michael Urbano – drums
Vicki Randle – percussion
In this episode of Only in the Green Room, we sit down with Greg Loiacono & Stingray, a Bay Area super-group built on deep respect, serious groove, and a whole lot of joy. What started as a solo recording session for Greg Loiacano quickly turned into something much bigger when drummer Michael Urbano stepped in—and the chemistry was instant. Add longtime collaborator and powerhouse percussionist Vicki Randle, and Stingray was born.
The trio talks about the unspoken language that defines their music: listening more than talking, playing for the song, and letting structure and feel guide everything. Influenced by classic soul, R&B, funk, and rock—from Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye to Sly Stone and beyond—Stingray’s sound feels timeless but alive in the moment.
We dig into:
- How the band formed organically (and accidentally)
- Why joy and laughter are non-negotiable onstage
- The rare magic of musicians who truly listen to one another
- Playing parts instead of overplaying
- Balancing Stingray with busy touring and recording schedules
- Recording at the legendary 2200 Studios and feeling the weight of Bay Area music history
- What’s next: new singles, more shows, and getting back into the studio
With lineup support from Tom Ayer’s, Kofi Brown, and Danny Eisenberg, Stingray is prioritizing what matters most—great songs, great vibes, and genuine connection.
If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when seasoned musicians stop chasing “projects” and start chasing feeling, this conversation says it all.
New singles out now:
- Come Back Home
- I Hope We Get to Dance
Recorded backstage, moments after finishing their November 2025 set at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, California —because the best conversations always happen only in the green room.
Greg Loiacono. Founder of Stingray, is best known as a gritty rock and soul man of legendy San Francisco rock band, The Mother Hips and his collaborations with Chris Robinson
Vicki Randle has recorded and/or toured with Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, George Benson, Lionel Richie, Kenny Loggins, Celine Dion, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Branford Marsalis, Jeffrey Osborne, Laura Nyro and Lyle Mays. She appeared in the HBO documentary Mavis!. She became the first female permanent member of the Tonight Show Band with Branford Marsalis, starting in May 1992 and continuing through May 2009.
Michael Urbano toured extensively with John Hiatt (1995–1999), as one of Hiatt's "Nashville Queens" that included bassist Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello) and guitarist David Immergluck (Counting Crows). He also spent time as a drummer Smash Mouth. Before Smash Mouth, Urbano had played drums with The Spent Poets, The Kinetics, Deathray, Third Eye Blind, John Hiatt, Black Lab, Cracker, Paul Westerberg, Red House Painters, Willy DeVille, Camper Van Beethoven, and Sheryl Crow.[2]
https://gregloiacono.com/
Creators and Guests
Host
Dennis Strazulo
Dennis Strazulo & Tami Larson host backstage conversations with artists in the exclusive confines of green rooms at popular music venues and festivals.🎧
Host
Tami Larson
Dennis Strazulo & Tami Larson host backstage conversations with artists in the exclusive confines of green rooms at popular music venues and festivals.🎧
