[5] After playing with groups in high school, Sabatino formed Narthex, a two-piece new wave band, in 1980.

Sabatino joined the Dead Milkmen as the only member with previous experience playing in rock bands.

The group went on to enjoy college radio and modest MTV-based success through eight studio albums and substantial touring before disbanding in 1995.

He also played drums with the vaudeville group The Big Mess Orchestra, with whom he remains sporadically associated.

After two reunion shows in 2004, the Dead Milkmen reformed in 2008 (with Dan Stevens replacing the deceased Dave Schulthise on bass guitar).