09/03/2026
𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀 — 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓:
(Full interview shown here)
Pino is one of those rare artists whose incredible talent — including killer vocals — is matched only by his heart. Attend one show and it’s instantly clear how deeply his gratitude runs for his family, his band brothers, his fans, and every moment music has given him. That same spirit shines throughout this interview, where he opens up about the moments that shaped him, the magic he creates with his band, and the connection that fuels the PFB Famiglia. He is as genuine as they come, and whether you see Pino solo or with his full band, we promise that you’re in for something special. If you want to understand why so many people feel at home in the PFB Famiglia, this interview is the perfect place to start!
Here we go ...
𝐋𝐕: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞?
𝐏𝐅: I grew up between Lincolnwood and Buffalo Grove, Illinois, surrounded by a ton of musical influence. Being raised in an Italian‑American family, as a first‑generation American, I was exposed early on to many of the classic Neapolitan songs from my grandparents’ and parents’ generation. My grandfather, uncles, and dad all had a great passion for singing and a deep love of music, which is most definitely how I got hooked—without even realizing it when I was just a kid.
We had a piano in the house growing up, which I would always noodle on like a toy, but I never took lessons. Later on, in my early high school years, my older brother took an interest in drums and guitar and really introduced me to rock music. We listened to a lot of Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Led Zeppelin. Bands like Queensrÿche, Guns N’ Roses, Tesla, The Black Crowes, Pearl Jam, and Faith No More were also in heavy rotation.
𝐋𝐕: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫? (𝐀𝐥𝐬𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠?)
𝐏𝐅: My brother is really to blame. In the early ’90s, he picked up the drums and started a band in high school. All his buddies would come over to our house for band practice, so I had a front‑row seat—watching them in awe as they worked through songs over and over again. He was actually the one who taught me how to play guitar.
We eventually started playing in a band together (I weaseled my way in as the rhythm guitarist…), and the hardest role to fill was a lead singer. At one early rehearsal, I offered to try singing Alive by Pearl Jam, and the guys agreed I wasn’t terrible—so we just went with it. Singing wasn’t something I aspired to at the time; it honestly came out of necessity because someone had to do it. And I’m very glad I stepped into that role!
𝐋𝐕: 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞? (𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬?)
𝐏𝐅: My first real performance had to be around 1993‑ish at Stevenson High School for a Battle of the Bands. That was such a big deal for us back then—getting to play on a stage in the school gymnasium, in front of all our friends and peers. Thinking back, it was a pretty incredible opportunity for the school to give us young punks a stage and a space to let our freak flags fly 😉
I will say, nerves have always been something I deal with—starting from that very first show all the way up to now. Experience, repetition, and practice have helped over the years, but there’s still an underlying anxiety that will always be part of getting up and performing on a stage.
𝐋𝐕: 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!
𝐋𝐕: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 (𝐏𝐅𝐁) 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦? 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬—𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞?
𝐏𝐅: Back in the late ’90s, Michael “Pops” Poupko (guitar), John Cwiok (bass), and our first drummer, Paul Knegten, were in a band together, and they reached out to recruit me as the vocalist for a new project called Punsapaya. We all went to the same high school, just a few years apart. Thanks to Paul’s older brother, Jason, we had an incredible rehearsal space where we spent hours, days, weeks, and months writing and rehearsing religiously—night and day. We all had a relentless work ethic, constantly trying to outdo our last rehearsal or show. That drive has stuck with us to this day—a shared perfectionism, whether we’re in the studio or preparing for gigs.
The three stringed members across the front of the stage have remained the same from the very beginning, but we’ve had changes behind the drum kit over the decades. After Paul left the band in the early 2000s, we were lucky to find another drummer who instantly became our brother. Johnathan Schiller (aka Schillz) jumped in and brought a new level of energy and commitment. Most of our time honing our live performance—learning how to truly be a rock band on stage—was spent with countless hours and hundreds of miles on the road with Schillz.
Shortly after changing the band’s name to Dearborn and releasing an album in 2006, we went on an extended hiatus. In 2020, we regrouped and rekindled the spark that made us feel young again. With the help of social media and livestreams, we reached a new and receptive audience. We decided to shed the Dearborn name and move forward as the Pino Farina Band—still the same four brothers from a decade prior, just under a new name. Things really took off from there. We worked harder than ever, took on more gigs, and were reintroduced to the Chicagoland music scene as if we were the new kids in town. It was a whirlwind.
In 2026, Schillz had to step away from the band for personal reasons—something we were saddened by but fully supportive of. That brings us to our current lineup with our newest brother, Glenn Mikes. Glenn is a seasoned professional who stepped in and worked incredibly hard to help the band continue without missing a beat.
From the early years, we’ve always been an original band—writing and recording songs, learning from our musical heroes, and being inspired by other local bands in the scene. As PFB, we’ve stayed true to that songwriting spirit, releasing songs as they develop. But we’ve also grown to appreciate the importance and power of performing cover songs from the bands that shaped us. Those songs have allowed us to reach a whole new audience, and we’re incredibly grateful—and proud—of that.
Overall, the core of the band has remained true to who we are. The biggest thing I feel from it is a sense of brotherhood and tribe—an all‑for‑one, one‑for‑all mentality. We each have a mutual respect for one another, and each of us brings a different element to the sound of what the band is and what it continues to become.
𝐋𝐕: 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤”? (𝟑 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥‑𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐨)
𝐏𝐅: AHH!!! This one is impossible to answer… so I’m gonna cheat and give you four!
Full Band:
Run Out (PFB Original), On the Night (PFB Original), Wish I Knew You (The Revivalists), Where the Streets Have No Name (U2)
Solo:
Station (PFB Original), Perfect Sky (PFB Original), Never Tear Us Apart (INXS), Piano Man (Billy Joel)
𝐋𝐕: 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐏𝐅𝐁 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐚.” 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬—𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥—𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜?
𝐏𝐅: I’ve been beyond blessed, and honestly I’m at a loss for words when it comes to this “magical chemistry.” It’s something intangible, and I usually try not to question or unravel it too much. I feel like, at the end of the day, we all come from different places, different experiences, different upbringings, different challenges, different beliefs, different jobs, different skill sets, different goals, different family dynamics—different reasons for waking up in the morning and different reasons for why we’re wired the way we are.
But when we’re all in the same room together, treating each other with kindness and compassion, all of that “different” just doesn’t matter anymore. The differences dissipate and dissolve. We’re all in that same space, that same room, that same venue—there, as I’ve quoted Billy Joel many times before, “to forget about life for awhile.” Somewhere in there lies the magic: the power of music, connection, community, and the feeling of being part of something special.
It’s comforting and warm, and it fills a place in my heart I didn’t even know needed filling before I started this musical journey. It’s truly a beautiful thing. As a musician, there is no greater gift than being able to share and connect with a receptive audience. For that, I am humbled and grateful, and I recognize how extremely lucky I am to experience this at this stage of my career.
𝐋𝐕: 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭‑𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞” 𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞?
𝐏𝐅: I can’t say there are any “must‑haves,” because we’ve never really had rules when it comes to writing. I just know that songwriting has always been an escape for me—a way to cope with things that are beyond my control. It’s like the best therapist in the world.
These days, between work, family life, and the band’s busy gigging schedule, it’s become much harder to let that music‑writing side of my mind and spirit really flourish. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m getting older, but I think it’s mostly about finding a way to give the creative mind some breathing room—letting inspiration rush in and take over to do its thing. I yearn for that more and more, and I’ll always welcome the flow when it comes naturally. I don’t believe it can or should be forced, ever.
𝐋𝐕: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫?
𝐏𝐅: Oh my, there are so many emotions. I absolutely love those moments—looking over at her across the stage and seeing the biggest smile on her face. It’s like time freezes for a few seconds and everything is exactly as it’s meant to be. Nothing forced. Nothing fake. Nothing else matters. She lights up in a way that is so pure and natural, and as a father, nothing brings me more joy than seeing her in that state of elation.
Watching her grow into the beautiful young woman and artist she’s becoming has been incredible. Sometimes she’ll come downstairs from her room and play us a song she’s been working on, and it moves my wife and me to tears. There’s something about her voice and the way she feels the music that is truly special. She has that “old soul” quality about her.
Like most fathers and daughters, we’ve always had a really special bond—but there’s something about connecting through music that no words can explain. Locking in on certain harmonies and lyrics… it feels like we’re sharing one stream of consciousness, like the last few pieces clicking into place to complete a 1000‑piece puzzle. I’ve been fortunate to have sung with a lot of incredible musicians in my time, but none as precious as Elisabeth.
Our friends and family have shown her so much love, support, and encouragement—it’s absolutely remarkable to see. As music has enriched my life throughout the years, I’m so happy she’s found this path as an outlet, a therapist, and a lifeline. I’m excited to see where her talents and drive take her. I have a feeling she’s going to do some really great things!!
𝐋𝐕: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 — 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭, “𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰”?
𝐏𝐅: I’ve been so lucky to have had more than a few “pinch me” moments over the years with my brothers in PFB. Most notably, though, was being included as a member of and touring with the Luminare Christmas project. It was an incredible honor. I can still remember our first show in 2022, stepping out onto the stage at the overwhelmingly beautiful Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, IN. I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. It was my first time on a national tour with a touring band, and it truly felt like I had “made it!” Then we made our way to a hometown show in Chicago, where my family and friends were in the audience. That was a truly unforgettable experience!
Honestly, though, I’m at a point now where I still can’t believe I get to do what I’m doing. I work a full‑time job in the trades, I have a beautiful family, and I still get to pour my heart out and pursue my passion and dreams on the weekends. It’s all very surreal… happening right now?!
𝐋𝐕: 𝐀𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭?
𝐏𝐅: We’ve got a full band schedule booked through the end of the year, with some exciting shows coming up at The Vixen, Hey Nonny, and our annual Halloween show at Sundance Saloon with Hi Infidelity. I’ve also had a ton of fun this past year collaborating with The 5 Amigos and the Dan Peters Band, so I’m hoping there’s more to come on that front?! And in the upcoming months, we’re trying to line up a Trio event with Dave Mikulskis, Keith Semple, and myself—which I’m really hoping works out. We shall see!
I also always look forward to the slower winter months, when the band can take some time to get into the studio and finish recordings of original material that we can share throughout the next year or so. Keep an ear out!
𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞
• First album you ever purchased: Open Up and Say Ah‑Poison
• Favorite guitar you own: Martin Streetmaster GPC‑15ME – Is my “baby”
• Farthest the band has ever traveled for a show: New York City
• Greatest front man of all time: Bono
• Best concert you ever attended: Pink Floyd
• Hobby or passion besides music: Family time is everything
• Percentage chance there will be an "Amigos" show this fall: 100% but it’s a private event! Sorry!! Next public event – January 2027 at Sew Hop’d
𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬: Let’s all show Pino a little love this month ... comment below, see an upcoming show, and share this interview with your crew!
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝
– Website: www.Pinofarinaband.com
– Socials: Pino Farina Band on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
– Streaming: Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, and more
