Arno Hecht has been in bands since age of 13. Arno earned his way through college by playing in various rock groups. After graduating Columbia University with a history major, Arno tried a "real" job before the music called him back. He played in numerous bar bands before he joined the new wave group, 'Brenda and the Realtones.' "Brenda had been in a couple of Warhol films so these 6'5" transvestites in leather mini skirts would show up at her gigs. It was very surreal. But what a band! Later on, I brought in Paul Littera and sometimes Crispin Cioe whom I met at a gig at Max's Kansas City, he was the only person I've ever met who knew all the lyrics to the Coasters' song "Shopping for Clothes." All in all, it was a very cool group." - Arno Hecht During this same time, Arno was jamming with a bunch of Horn players at the 'Lynne Oliver Jazz Workshop' on West 90th Street. In 1980, Hecht and Litteral left 'Brenda and the Realtones' to play with a "punk soul" band called the 'Nitecaps'. One night after a gig, Iggy Pop offered them, along with Crispin Cloe a recording session if they could find a trombone player. Bob Funk was brought in and The Uptown Horns were born. The Uptown Horns began a weekly jam session at 'Tramps' being joined on stage by various other musicians ranging from Southside Johnny to David Johansen. Their Uptown Horns Party continued for almost two years until "J Geils Band" keyboard player Seth Justman stopped by Tramps to enlist The Uptown Horns for their "Freezeframe" album and 1982 world tour.
Since then, The Uptown Horns have recorded and/or toured with James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Buster Poindexter, Joe Cocker, The B52's, Tom Waits, Albert Collins, Robert Plant and The Honeydrippers, Joan Jett, RuPaul, Al Kooper, R.E.M., Delbert McClinton, Solomon Burke, and so many others as well as numerous appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Arno Hecht has also toured with George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Sam Moore, Ronnie Spector and the legendary Dion. "IS THERE A SAX PLAYER IN THE HOUSE?" Arno Hecht literally joined The Slashtones on stage during a live show. Arno first came to see the Slashtones on October 5th 1994. At the time, The Slashtones consisted of Harry Slash and Lisa Anselmo on vocals, Roderick Kohn, Steve Bondy and Mike Lawler on guitar. Butch Garcia on harmonica, Even Steven on bass, Paul Sheenan on drums and Chuck Hancock on saxophone, Chuck Hancock was double booked that night. Technical problems and opening acts that droned on had pushed the bands start time back by about an hour. Chuck Hancock was forced to make a difficult decision and left the show to go to his other gig.  The Slashtones started their set with their then usual opener, "Are You Confuzed?". After the song, Harry Slash was apologizing to the audience for the late start and then explained that the band's sax player couldn't be there and some of the songs may sound a little different that night. As they were about to start their second song, the band heard someone from the audience yell : "Hold on!" It was Arno Hecht, making his way through the crowd towards the stage with his saxophone case in hand. Arno had dropped by the show after an Uptown Horns gig and was hoping to just catch the last few songs, not knowing they were running late. At that point, having never seen or heard the band before, Arno sat in for the entire 90 minute set of The Slashtones' bizarre, twisted arrangements and satirical songs. While the show wasn't one of the band's best, Arno Hecht enjoyed playing with The Slashtones enough to become a permanent band member from that point on. |
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Cast Members: Harry Slash ~ Arno Hecht ~ Steve "Budgie" Werner ~ Felix Hanemann ~ Richie Scarlet
Cameo Appearances by: Mark Hitt ~ Gregg Gerson ~ Taso Karras ~ Mickey Leigh ~ Even Steven Levee ~ Joe Lynn Turner
Former Cast Members: Tony Moore ~ (others forthcoming)