Central Standard

Singer/Songwriter Frankie Ostello returns to Illinois after a hiatus in New Orleans where he released a well recieved solo-EP (as "Frankie Bones") and performed with southern rockers, Les Poissons Rouges. Now back in Chicago, Frankie attempts to add some amplification to his unique sound with Central Standard, a power trio that produces idiosyncratic, bluesy rock and roll. "The local music scene is never at a loss for producing a bounty of strong D.I.Y. releases and promising demos, but the best of what I've heard in recent months comes from a trio called Central Standard.

Now back in Chicago, Frankie attempts to add some amplification to his unique sound with Central Standard, a power trio that produces idiosyncratic, bluesy rock and roll.

"The local music scene is never at a loss for producing a bounty of strong D.I.Y. releases and promising demos, but the best of what I've heard in recent months comes from a trio called Central Standard.

Characterized by its driving rhythms, fractured New/No Wave melodies and the endearingly manic-panicked vocals of guitarist, songwriter and New Orleans transplant Frankie Ostello, the five-song EP "Uniforms" stands as a remarkably impressive debut for a self-recorded D.I.Y. release. The group just played a handful of record release parties, but hopefully it will be posting some new dates soon on its Web site, www.centralstandard.info, which also offers free MP3 downloads of instantly infectious songs such as "Ruiner" and "Heart of Chicago.""
-Jim DeRogatis, Pop Music Critic

"...Frankie Ostello's expressive voice is perhaps Central Standard's most compelling attribute. It wails across ?All Alone,? emotively wavers through ?To Whom It May Concern,? and alternates between introspection and insistency on ?Bells Of August.? United with the band's compelling bass-and-drum-driven, blues-infused punk approach, it's clearly a winning combination."
? Jeff Berkwits, Illinois Entertainer.

"[DeRogatis] called it "instantly infectious" and I must plead with you to take his word along with my own in saying that they are one of the most exciting Chicago-based acts recording D.I.Y. music at the moment...All five songs on "Uniforms" are grandiose in structure, primarily avoiding predictable structures by capitalizing on their reputable ability to create a sound that seems both meticulously crafted and emotionally revealing."
- Mike Mineo, Obscuresound.com.

Due to a threatened lawsuit, Central Standard changed their name to Ostello. The band was actually "served" immediately following a local performance in Chicago. Shortly after recording another EP that was never released they disbanded to pursue other projects.