“They're not the "perfect musical antiheroes" for the generation of love. Rolling Stone saved those words for Steely Dan as that band rocked America's youth in the '70s. No, this is just a tribute. Countdown to Ecstasy, an 11-piece ensemble dedicated to the music and style of Steely Dan, is performing tonight at Triumph Brewing Co. in New Hope, Pa. Named after Steely Dan's second album, released in July 1973, the band's namesake produced two Billboard Hot 100 hits: "My Old School" and "Show Biz Kids." The tribute band is much larger than the original boasting a three-piece horn set, three vocalists, and a slew of guitarists and vocalists. Triumph has a decent-sized dance floor, and body shaking and grooving are to be expected, so get there early if you want a seat to which you can return. For a free sample of Countdown to Ecstasy's cover songs, log onto (countdowntoecstasy.com). There you'll hear classics like "Dirty Work" and "My Old School."”

“...“There are a lot of tribute bands out there that go to great pains to imitate bands,” Monaco said. “We don’t do that ... instead, we try to stay true to the feel of the music.” So Countdown to Ecstasy needed a large group of talented people to be able to play Steely Dan’s complicated songs. The group’s members — all from the Philadelphia area — include Glenn Marrazzo on bass, Patrick Robinson on keyboards, guitar players Tony Winkler and Jon Mernyk, Jeff Miller on drums and vocals, trombone player Nancy Barone Kribbs, David Laich on the trumpet, Rich Robinson on the saxophone, singers Peg Talbott Lane and Deborah Massa and finally, Monaco rounds out the band as lead singer. ”

“First, the easy part about playing in a Steely Dan tribute band: You don't have to replicate a "look." Donald Fagen and Walter Becker resemble everyday dudes as much as anybody in rock. Most casual fans probably couldn't even tell you what they look like, in part because the pair doesn't appear on the cover of any of the band's nine studio albums. Now, the hard part: The songs are really tough to play. And tougher than that to play well. Maybe that's why the Bucks County-based act Countdown to Ecstasy, named for Steely Dan's second album, rehearsed for about four months before playing its first unofficial gig this past March - and another three months after that before its first paying show in June. But when Countdown to Ecstasy does manage to get together, as it will Friday at Triumph Brewing Company in New Hope, people who enjoy Steely Dan music - and really, who doesn't? - are in for a treat.”