Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the name "Covenstead" come from, and what does it mean?

The word "covenstead" comes from the Book of Shadows - the Lawbook of the Wiccans ("witches"). It technically means a safe refuge - a "stead" or secure place - where a coven (a group of so-called "witches," usually 13) can feel secure. For our intents and purposes, it basically means a safe harbor for anyone and everyone - that all deserve to be able to feel equally safe and secure, no matter their beliefs or practices or lifestyle - as long as they are not hurting or interfering with the rights of others.

From life - from anywhere and everywhere - from all around us. Both Al and Sean tend to write heavily based upon interpersonal relationships - their successes and failures, societal conditions, political situations, and of humankind's place in the universe - i.e. philosophically contemplating the "meaning of life."

Where do you guys record?

Al has a home recording studio, but it has its limitations. When we have finally outgrown those limitations, we will probably rent time at a studio in either Providence or Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Both are close by, and in the past our members have been satisfied with the results of a particular studio in the latter location.

What methods do you use to record?

Generally, we use digital and do it the traditional track by track method. At times, we will record live though - the foundation track (acoustic guitar and piano) for "Dreams of Pegasus" was done in this manner, in the first take - with Al and Sean playing simultaneously. This particular recording was largely an "ad lib" composition, with the guys both just playing what they felt. A decidedly difficult and inhibiting problem to the entire project has been the lack of a steady drummer. Recording - especially the hard rock material - is difficult if not impossible without the drum tracks being lain down in the preliminary stages of the recording process. Nevertheless, the guys are making do...
"Lost Innocence" - Al's recentmost anthem of adolescent angst, is a good example of the multi-layering which can be achieved even in the simplest of home recording studios today.

Yes. Covenstead will definitely be a performing band eventually, but not for at least one to two more years. We do not intend to become another club band (been there, done that...) nor do we intend to perform the work of other artists at all. This will be strictly an all-original band and our plans are that there will be some type of advanced theatrical show which correlates with our music when we do perform. Because of the planned complexity of the shows, the most we would probably play out would be once a month, if that often. More likely than not, we will only perform a maximum of six to ten shows per year (unless of course we land a major label record deal - then that's a different story).

Well, we're not talking about Alice Cooper or Marilyn Manson here... What we are talking about is that we do intend to bring into our lineup a full-time artist who will design our covers and our stage sets - very much like Roger Dean has done for the band "Yes" over the years, and now appears he may be embarking on doing for the new band "Space Needle." Ethereality, netherworldliness, surrealism, fantasy, psycedelia - along those lines... Now you get the idea... It is intended that our concerts will be like a "trip" without taking any drug - an entire visual as well as aural experience.

We are located in Dighton, Massachusetts, which is in Bristol County and is quite close (less than 10 miles) from the southern Massachusetts coast. We're about 40 miles or so south of Boston and about 20 miles or so east of Providence, Rhode Island. If you locate Fall River, Massachusetts on a map (right on the coastline, and infamous site of the alleged Lizzie Borden ax murders) and then follow the Taunton River inland, you'll find Dighton on its west bank. For history buffs, this area is one of absolute fascination - well worth your time to investigate and research.

Cape Cod is within an hour's drive, with its many beautiful beaches, scenic towns, terrific restaurants, and quaint shops. Horseneck Beach State Reservation - certainly one of the best in the Commonwealth and quite possibly one of the most beautiful in the world - is within an easy half-hour drive of Dighton.

And if seeing live bands is your thing, there are many great nightclubs in the area offering entertainment from rock to blues, from disco to... Also close by is Great Woods Performing Arts Center - an outdoor amphitheater which showcases major acts, as does the nearby Providence Civic Center. Countless other options and offerings are also available.

Boston is, and always has been, a hotbed of musical activity and promotion. Many famous bands including the Cars,  Aerosmith, Boston (of course - where else would they be from!), Missing Persons, and the J. Geils Band originated here. Right now, Boston is alive with the techno, industrial, and noise revolutions. Just a couple of places to see artists in these genres are at The Rat in Kenmore Square and at Aerosmith's nearby club, Mama Kin's.

Well, what the hell do you want - an invitation to our bedrooms? (just kidding) Al lives in Dighton, Massachusetts - Sean lives in Foxboro, Massachusetts - the new guitarist who we have been working with lives in Portsmouth, Rhode Island - and the drummer who we have been working with lives in New Bedford, Massachusetts and went to school at UMass Dartmouth with Al.

We aren't listing the other two guys' names until we're certain they're permanent.

Prodigy Productions is a "parent company" started by Al in the early 1980's for the use of copyrighting his songs and other written material under. Jackal Enterprises is a subsidiary under which Al has also copyrighted songs. The name is an amalgamation of his and his friend Jack's who has been extended a vested interest in the rights of any materials which Al copyrights and /or publishes under this division. Lansea Limited is an amalgamation of Al's and Sean's names and offers the same rights to Sean as those offered to Jack under the first subsidiary. Although none of the "companies" are officially registered or incorporated, the documents supporting Al's intentions are completely legal and binding. Pentacle Records is the newest of the legal amalgamations. It is the "new parent company," and encompasses the rights of all of the others listed.

Pentacle is a newly-forming company, but divisions of it are currently managing and promoting area bands and artists. Contact us directly for more information. You may also send demo/ promo materials to us via "snail" mail at:

Well ... that all depends upon just how good-lookin' you are! (just kidding)
Tell ya what - we'll let you keep guessing on this one...   L8ter...