ECHO 23 joined Rockabilly Greg In the Flamingo Lounge on October 16, 2025.
ECHO 23 is an attitude-fueled alternative rock band channeling the best of the ’90s and ’00s. They officially formed post-COVID in 2021 and began tearing up their home base, The 33 Speakeasy, in May 2022.
The band’s centerpiece is the fierce, young, lead singer Cassandra Warren, who uses her incredible voice and attitude to captivate every crowd. On the rhythm section, you’ll find lifelong friends Charlie Forness on bass and Steve Wellenc on drums (who also manages the band). With the addition of CJ Ambrosia on guitar, the lineup for ECHO 23 is complete.
What sets E23 apart is their unique setlist. With Cassandra’s incredible vocal range, they crush songs by Paramore, Alanis Morissette, and Lady Gaga. They then instantly flip the script, bringing you bangers from Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco—plus a side of Poison—making them one of the most eclectic and must-see bands in WNY!
Find out more about the members of the band below or on Facebook.
CASS
Cassandra is a vocalist and songwriter with experience across multiple genres. She has performed in bands since high school, covering styles from 1950’s music to punk rock. She’s taken voice lessons for 7 years and has starred in several school musicals. Cassandra also writes original music and has recorded side projects with friends. She has been the lead vocalist with Echo23 since 2022 and still going strong!
STEVE
Steve Wellenc began his musical career at the age of 14, transitioning to the drums after a two-year stint playing the piano.
His first experience with a full band came in the early 2000s as the drummer for Mantooth, an alternative cover band based in Cheektowaga. After a few years, the band parted ways.
Later, while attending a duo set by his oldest friend and former bassist, Charlie, and lead singer Bob Scott (now of Tiny Music), Steve was inspired to collaborate again. The three soon formed Scribe for the Tribe, an alternative cover band that also featured three original songs. This group was an extension of a three-piece band formed by Charlie and guitarist Joe Garrigan, which centered on Charlie’s personal and original writings.
After Bob moved on to Tiny Music, a couple of years passed, and the pandemic hit. As live music began to return, Cassandra Warren answered the band’s Craigslist ad for a lead singer. Her performance of “Creep” by Radiohead gave the group goosebumps and sealed the deal. With the addition of CJ Ambrosia on guitar, they officially formed Echo 23 (E23) and have been actively performing in the local Buffalo scene since 2022.
Steve currently serves as the band’s drummer, graphic designer, and manager. Echo 23 was nominated in 2024 as Best Contemporary Rock Band and continues to grow its following, expand its playlist, and increase its appeal to local bars and venues.
CHUCK
Charlie Forness is a seasoned bass player and songwriter with over 30 years of experience playing in bands and recording original music. He currently writes and records under the name Charlie GenX and has been part of projects including Slip of the Tusk, Scribe for the Tribe, Scarlett’s Gone Sonic, and the Kevin Mikula Project. Known for his dynamic style and deep musical roots, Charlie brings decades of creative energy to every collaboration.
CJ
CJ Ambrosia is a professional musician with over 30 years of experience. A multi-instrumentalist, he has contributed to several albums and soundtracks. Born in Buffalo, CJ’s musical tastes span numerous genres, which is reflected in their performance style. A huge fan of video games and their soundtracks, CJ enjoys incorporating elements of video game scores into their original songs.