By JOHN PATRICK GATTA

By JOHN PATRICK GATTA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
USINOMATIC
The Youngstown-based group displayed the type of work ethic necessary for up-and-coming bands. After making a name for itself regionally, Sinomatic moved toward attracting a national fan base. That meant countless days on the road, performing as the support act for Buckcherry and the Cult among others and playing select radio festivals in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati as well as headlining club dates.
The single, "Bloom," off its self-titled major label debut on Atlantic records immediately received national airplay on more than 130 album-oriented and alternative radio stations. Like other numbers on "Sinomatic," it contained a one-two punch of classic rock melodicism with a rock and roll swagger. Members are working on new material in preparation of recording their second effort next year.
UBEN NEIL
A graduate of Youngstown State University Dana School of Music with a bachelor of music in 1980 and masters in music two years later, Neil has since studied, performed and taught in New York. Besides art installations around the world, his original compositions were heard in VW commercials. One of those songs appears on "Street Mix," which is available at www.vw.com
He's done 12 spots for the company with more to follow, plus extended versions, which should appear on an album by summer 2002.
UMAYNARD JAMES KEENAN
Although he left Ravenna prior to his teen-age years, Tool frontman Keenan always makes it a point to mention the town in interviews or when his band performs in Cleveland. The art metal act, which has attained cult-like status due to the lengthy wait between releases and epic and intense recordings, put out its third album, "Lateralus." It debuted in the top spot on the Billboard sales chart. Keenan's side project, A Perfect Circle, also toured this year, which helped its self-titled debut attain platinum sales.
UTOM "GROVER" BIERY
The former WRRO-AM radio personality remains a valuable cog at Warner Brothers records. He is senior vice president, head of promotion at its West Coast office, and worked on projects with Madonna, R.E.M., Linkin Park and Faith Hill during the past year.
UJOE AUGUSTINE
Augustine, a jazz pianist, continues to make an impression in this area and on a national level. He changed the locale for his weekly performances from Avalon Inn, which ran for 31 years, to OPUS twenty one, where he started Oct. 2. The previous month, Augustine released his 12th album, "Cool Today, Jazz Tonight." He's also traveled the country as a lecturer and performer and recently performed in the prestigious Steinway Hall in New York. Next year, he'll release three album on two different nationally distributed labels.
UBOB DIPIERO
A Nashville-based songwriter, formerly of Liberty, DiPiero traveled with Brooks & amp; Dunn this fall during the duo's tour. He and Kix Brooks are collaborating on material.
UTED EMPORELLI
He calls the Mahoning Valley home when he takes the rare opportunity to unpack his suitcases. In past years, he worked as drum tech for Pearl Jam. This year he was tour manager for Jon Bon Jovi during Bon Jovi's successful world tour.
UDON YALLECH
A drummer, Struthers native and Youngstown State University Dana School of Music graduate, Yallech spent a portion of his 2001 traveling across North America as part of the orchestra for the touring company of "Fame: The Musical." He also debuted his drum 'n' bass electronic dance piece at Cedar Lounge.
UJERRY DOUGLAS
Thanks to his participation in the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack and the resurgence of bluegrass music, dobro player Douglas had a very busy 2001.
Besides releasing "New Favorite" with his bandmates in Alison Krauss & amp; Union Station to critical praise and strong sales, the former Leavittsburg resident and 1974 graduate of LaBrae High School toured with them and a number of other high-profile artists in the bluegrass and country genres for a series of "O Brother" related concerts. An "O Brother" show from the legendary Ryman Auditorium was released on CD and DVD as "Down from the Mountain."
Besides praise and applause from audiences around the country, Douglas and the rest of Union Station received two Country Music Association Awards for their work on "O Brother" -- Single of the Year and Album of the Year.
They also received five International Bluegrass Music Association award including Album of the Year and Douglas for Dobro Player of the Player.
UTRENT REZNOR
The former Mercer resident, who turned his stint in the high school band many years ago into a successful career with his band Nine Inch Nails, received critical praise for the tour that promoted his third album, the two-CD set "The Fragile." The NIN track "Deep" was on the "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" soundtrack. It was also a provocative video. A remix album of "The Fragile" titled "Things Falling Apart" came out several months ago. On Jan. 22, he releases a live CD/DVD/video titled "Nine Inch Nails: And All That Could Have Been."
UGLASS HARP
The reunited trio -- Phil Keaggy, guitar and vocals; Daniel Pecchio, bass and vocals; and John Sferra, drums and vocals -- not only gave a free concert at Mill Creek Park Morley Pavilion last summer, it released a two-CD live set, "Strings Attached," which was recorded with Youngstown Symphony Orchestra in October 2000. The album includes new material written by the band members. The trio will reteam with the orchestra for a concert on Jan. 20. For ticket information, call (330) 744-0264.
UKOOL & amp; THE GANG
That dance concert last June at Cafaro Field in Niles isn't the last word by Kool & amp; the Gang and the Bell brothers, Youngstowners and core members of the group. Kool & amp; the Gang released a new CD, "Gangland," this year on its own label. It featured vintage hits such as "Jungle Boogie" that were given hip-hop attitude. Robert "Kool" Bell says "Kool & amp; the Gang Music Odyssey," featuring other artists performing the band's hits, is due next. A biographical movie is slated for 2003.
UMAUREEN MCGOVERN
Boardman's own jazz-pop singer returned home in March for a Monday Musical Club concert at Stambaugh Auditorium that also featured John Pizzarelli Trio.