By Olivia Hernandez ‘26
The year was 1972. Ann M. Straley was seven years old and discovering a passion that would follow her for the rest of her life. With a record player in the corner of her grandmother Yannascoli’s living room, and a coffee table that acted as her stage, Straley never could’ve imagined that this was only the beginning of a lifetime of music.
Throughout her life, Straley has played in a handful of bands. With her voice as her instrument, she traveled within these groups and found where it most belonged. Today, at 60 years old, Straley remains the lead vocalist of three bands. With a story to tell behind each, Sanction, Usual Suspects, and Neonalie continue to take the stage.
“Sanction was my baby,” said Straley.
Sanction was established in 1987. Today, the lineup consists of Kevin Wegman on lead guitar, Nate Wegman on lead and rhythm guitar, Adam Costello on bass, John G. Monic on drums, and Straley on lead vocals. Sanction is a heavy/hard rock band that Straley had started herself almost 40 years ago today.
Although the word has many meanings, Sanction can indicate coming to an agreement.
“It’s a really funny story,” explained Straley.
When Sanction was first coming together, the band could not find a name that suited their sound. For weeks, Straley and her band mates tried to find a name for themselves, but they just couldn’t come together and agree. Until one day in her mom’s basement, when Straley and a friend, Nancy Bittle, found what they were looking for.
“Mom had these encyclopedias,” Straley started. “I grabbed one and it just happened to be the letter ‘S.’ I opened it up to the middle, and it said, ‘Sanction.’ I looked and the page had a bunch of different definitions of Sanction, but one of the definitions was to come to an agreement.”
So, that was that. They found their name.
In 2023, Sanction was inducted into the Berks County Hall of Fame, a “huge accomplishment,” according to Straley. After many years of sharing their music, Sanction’s sound remains untouchable, along with the voice that makes it happen.
Usual Suspects was established in 1997. Today, the lineup consists of Leon Costello on lead guitar, Eric Bomberger on bass, Charlie Ramos on drums, and Straley on lead vocals. Usual Suspects is a classic rock band that almost never existed at all.
A bit before Usual Suspects came to be and Sanction seemed to have run its course, Straley was married and had less time for singing than she once did.
Leon Costello, the current lead guitarist of the band, originally came up with the idea for the group, trying to convince Straley to join and lead the vocals. Straley was hesitant, since she still grieved Sanction, the band she thought would never resurface, though she was very wrong. Either way, she wasn’t sure if this was what she wanted.
After some more persuasion from Costello, Straley finally decided to give Usual Suspects a shot. Thank goodness she did, because almost 30 years later, the band is still alive and playing. All because Straley took a leap of faith and pushed her voice further than even she thought capable.
Neonalie was established in 2004. Once a classic rock trio and now a duo, the lineup today consists of Leon Costello on guitar and Straley on vocals. Until 2010, Alene McDermott shared the role of guitar and vocals. Sadly, McDermott lost her battle with cancer, leaving behind a beautiful life full of love and song. This loss impacted lives and even changed some, but it didn’t change Neonalie.
”She was unreal,” said Straley, referring to McDermott’s capabilities.
Despite no longer physically strumming her guitar or orchestrating her vocals, McDermott will always exist within Straley and follow her. Neonalie remains unchanged. Even without McDermott and her undeniable talent, the band still plays. In a way, this duo will always be a trio, especially for Straley. McDermott was more than a band mate, she was a friend for life.
“The name was Alene’s idea,” shared Straley. “It’s a mix of all our names.”
Within Neonalie, Alene McDermott will always be alive.
Sanction, Usual Suspects, and Neonalie each have a story to tell. With Straley on lead vocals for all three, the bands are able to tell those stories through song. Years of passion and dedication have gone into these sounds, following Straley in some of the largest accomplishments of her life.
Even at 60 years old, Straley’s voice remains a treasure. Through the highs and lows, the triumphs and failures, Straley has remained cherished by many and loved by most. She’s outgrown Grandma Yannascoli’s coffee table and record player, turning the memories in for a real stage and adoration. In a world where people strive to find their purpose, Straley found hers in song, stepping into her lifetime of music every day.
Straley ends, “If they want to call me their rockstar, they can call me their rockstar.”