MZ666: How was the band formed?
Vinny: Dave and I started Vicious Circle in mid 1988, after our previous band (Denial) had split
up in early 1987. We brought Brian Chicano back into the line-up as the vocalist, after some time apart from the Denial days.
We also used Mark Stavola as a studio bassist (ex-Mastermind) for our first demo in 1989. That's the short version of
how the original line-up began.
MZ666: Where did the band name originate?
Vinny: We were all sitting around after practice, debating on what name to choose for the band. We were
throwing around some ideas and nothing was really nailing it. The Three Stooges were on the TV, at the time. So, during a
moment of silence between us, Curly said "Oh, it's a vicious circle!" and we all just looked at each other, laughed and
decided that "Vicious Circle" should be the name. I wish there was a better story to tell, but that's the truth of how
it originated.
MZ666: Tell me about your band - How long have you been together, how did you all meet, etc?
Vinny: We've been together almost 17 years now with only a few line-up changes. That's pretty good.
Dave and I met in our freshman year of highschool and became friends instantly. I saw some names of Metal
bands scribbled on his book covers in Math class and started talking to him. I found out that he was a drummer and that was
all I needed to hear. We've been jammimg together ever since.
We (1989 line-up) met Mel through a local college radio station. We were in the radio booth with the HOT Metal Nurses
from the Metal Hospital program, playing the demo and making it known that we needed a permanent bassist. Mel just happened
to be listening in his car and called for a tryout. After a brief listen to his playing skills, he became the permanent bassist....although
we STILL haven't told him that he got the job yet! We just kept letting him show up to practice.
We (1990 line-up) met Darrell when he was in his band, Thanatopsis. He was also a big Vicious Circle fan. We've played
many shows together and hung out quite often for a few years. Then Darrell suddenly disappeared and we lost touch for awhile.
He resurfaced in a band with Brian Chicano called Grunt, where he was playing guitar and backing vocals. In 1998, we parted
ways with our second vocalist, Brian Cook and Darrell stepped up to the plate and took the open slot, leaving Grunt indefinately.
MZ666: How would you best describe your style of music?
Vinny: I would dare to say that it's a mix of "Old School" Death and Thrash Metal with plenty
of tempo changes and breakdowns for much blood loss!
MZ666: What would be your ultimate gig line-up?
Vinny: My ultimate gig for Vicious Circle would be on the main stage at Ozzfest. I don't care who is
on the bill, as long as we have the chance to brutalize that crowd!
MZ666: Who writes your lyrics, music and what subjects do they deal with?
Vinny: Darrell writes the lyrics and they are about whatever leaks from his twisted mind that day. I
start the music writing process with multiple riffs and possible arrangements, then Dave and Mel write their parts along with
me and help arrange everything until it's a VC quality song.
MZ666: What is your favorite song to perform? Why?
Vinny: Right now, my favorite song to perform would have to be "Fear Everything". It's a brand new one
that really stands out.
MZ666: Musically are you self taught/schooled?
Vinny: I am self taught. I started off buying albums and cassettes of all different styles of music
and learning the songs note for note. One day, I would sit down and learn an Iron Maiden song, then jump to an Al Dimeola
song. I wanted to keep my ear intouch with variety and flavor.
MZ666: How many releases do you have out right now?
Vinny: We have (2) full length releases and (6) demo releases at this point.
MZ666: Anything you guys do before a show to get pumped up?
Vinny: Not really, although I usually get a crazy surge of energy just before we go on. I start to walk
around like a caged animal and just let it all come out when we're on stage.
MZ666: What was your most memorable show? Why?
Vinny: One show that comes to mind would be the Morbid Angel show at the Trocadero during the "Covenant"
tour in Philadelphia, PA. We had around 30 people jump on the stage with us towards the end of our set and
started a brutal pit. We had all of our crew blocking the fans from knocking us over. I was facing my amp while I played
and kept getting hit in the back with flying fists and Doc Martins. There was this one kid that took my VC "Titans Of
Terror Tour" laminant right off of me and did a backwards flip off of the stage into the crowd. He got back on and tried
to take my wristband off of my picking hand while I was playing! "Vicious Circle Rules" signs were hanging from the balcony
in front of us while we played. What a great show, man. We all had a blast.
MZ666: Since the death of the great (Dimebag) has this changed your minds any differently about playing
live shows?
Vinny: Not at all. What happened to Dime can happen to anyone, at anytime. When your number is
up, it will happen no matter what you're doing or where you are. However, Dime died way before his time and he will always
be remembered as one of the greats. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
MZ666: What
are some of your favorite place's to play?
Vinny: We've played alot of great places like BB Kings in New York, The Trocadero in Philadelphia, and
The Pirates Den in New Jersey just to name a few.
MZ666: Do you have any advice for people starting a band?
Vinny: Well, what I've learned over the years is to look more towards the attitude of the musician,
rather than their playing skills. If you find a decent musician with a great attitude, then that's your man. They can
always get better, but you can never change a bad attitude.
MZ666: What is your impression of the Metal music scene?
Vinny: It's coming back strong, which is great, but everyone is starting to sound the same.
We need the Metal labels to sign and push all styles of Metal. I'm not saying that the newer bands are bad, but
they are just too similar in more ways than one. The Metal labels are going for the "sure thing" to land record
sales and even though it is a business, they should take a chance and sign something different. Even though they
wouldn't really be taking a chance, no matter what they sign...if they push it, it will sell. It's not hard to figure that
out, but they have no balls anymore and that's sad. They have to wake up and stop turning their backs on pure
talent of all Metal genre's. That's what the Underground is all about and they aren't following the rules anymore...SPINELESS
BASTARDS!
MZ666: Who are some of the influences on your band?
Vinny: When we started in 1988, there weren't as many bands playing this aggressively
as there are now. So, I would have to say the obvious bands like Slayer, Exodus, Venom, Possessed, Dark Angel, Voivod, Kreator,
The Crumbsuckers, Ludichrist and stuff like that. As far as a Metal influence goes. Personal playing influences
will greatly vary between all of us.
MZ666: Thanks for the interview. (You can hear more of This band in our link section. Stay Metal, Stay
Brutal . Any last comments for our readers?
Vinny: I had a great time with this interview. Thank you Steve and Metal Zine 666! Be sure to check
out our website @
http://www.viciouscircle.tv for updates and show schedules. Also, call your local radio stations and request some VC. If they don't have anything of
ours, let me know and I'll send them out a promo. We appreciate all of your support. STAY BRUTAL!!!
Metal Zine 666
Xtreme Metal Promotions
www.metalzine666.cjb.net
