The Vinnys
The Vinnys are a father and son American acoustic rock duo originally formed in 2008 at The Jersey Shore (Ocean County) New Jersey. They play a mix of classic rock/alternative/indie from the 1960s - 2000s, as well as original material. Since their inception, the line-up has consisted of vocalist and six string guitarist Vinny Jr, and twelve string acoustic guitarist Vinny Sr.
Background
The Vinnys were established in 2008 in the Ocean County area of New Jersey. Vinny Sr has over 30 years of experience performing in New Jersey, up and down the East Coast from New York to Florida, Seattle, Los Angeles, Germany, The Isle of Man, Ireland, Canada, and England. He performed in early classic rock bands playing electric/acoustic guitars and singing. He has also performed in acoustic duos with various female singers and played in guitar/drum duos as well as solo. He also promoted and booked bands in the USA and UK / England. Vinny Jr has been singing since age 5 and picked up the guitar at age 12. He's performed at the Ocean County College with Uncle Floyd (of the Uncle Floyd music TV show), First Night Ocean County, the Boardwalk in Seaside Heights (sponsored by Pepsi), the 4th Heart Convention (which included a performance by guitarist Roger Fisher ), PNC Arts Center for Verizon Wireless live, private parties, festivals, The Deck at Trump Marina Hotel/Casino in Atlantic City, and local CoFFEE houses. In 2008, at age 17, Vin teamed up with his Dad to form The Vinnys
Biography
In the Fall of 2008, following a gig at a music coffee house in Ocean County (their unofficial first gig), including an all acoustic performance of Rush's 2112, they decided to create a Myspace music page and have been amazingly successful despite a dying Myspace community. They have racked up over 100,000 fans/friends. over 400,000 views and over 350,000 song plays. The highlight of their performing so far has been their performance on NBC's Today show live in May 2009. While warming up in New York City on the day of a special invited America's Got Talent audition, a producer of the Today show asked them if they would perform at the 8 AM hour of the show live on NBC TV. In additional to standard venues and performances, The Vinnys take the time to perform at charity benefits such as Relay For Life and Christmas in July. The Vinnys can be found all over the internet including: Myspace, iTunes, Amazon, Tune Core, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Reverb Nation, WKIM Radio, Jango Airplay, Eventful, Musicians Cafe, Live Journal, Island Def Jam Digital Distribution, Interscope Digital Distribution, Sound Cloud, Gig Pig FM, and many more. In 2010 The Vinnys were nominated in the top 300 on the Artists on the Verge website . In June 2011 Ovation Guitars featured The Vinnys Live on their official website from a performance at The Ovation Guitar Road Show Series
MusicAL Influences
VINNY JR : Rush, Tori Amos, Maynard James Keenan (A Perfect Circle, Tool, Puscifer), Billy Howerdel, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Alanis Morissette, 30 Seconds To Mars, The Cranberries
VINNY SR : Milla Jovovich, Tori Amos, Madonna, No Doubt, Matt Chamberlain, Jon Evans, Rush, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, The Cranberries, Garbage, Alanis, Shirley Manson, Gwen Stefani, Dolores O'Riordan, The Wings, Yes, Jared Leto, 30 Seconds to Mars, Hayley Williams, Paramore, Maynard James Keenan, Carina Round, Puscifer, Joan Jett, Steven Tyler, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Michael Jackson, Linda Ronstadt, Loggins & Messina, Neil Young, Cheap Trick, Ace Frehley, Ozzy, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Roxette, Tommy Shaw, John MellenCougar, The Runaways, Randy Rhoads, Edward Van Halen
Discography
- 2008 - 4 by 2 (demo ep)
- 2009 - The Plains of Time (Single)
- 2011 - The Truth is a Lie (Digital Single - Released 16 January 2011)