Artist description Bronx Noize MetalCore

Music Style MetalCore

Musical Influences Pink Floyd, Voi Vod, John Capenter, Lee Way

Similar Artists Though on the extreme side of the music spectrum, Vic 20 is setting a new standard of original sounds

Artist History With this millennium upon us, music finds itself at a crossroads; where technology battles the human rhythm and spirit. Though the Bronx is an unlikely place to hold the fork in the road that will pacify both avenues, nonetheless, the streets of the Boogie give you ViC 20. Meet Scott McAloon, who spent years playing bass in both the thrash metal act Hellbound, as well as the indie band Doubting Thomas. Too often he found himself the missing piece of someone else's creative puzzle. However, ScottyMac is a guitarist at heart, and with a four-track, he laid down a demo. For years, these songs went no further than his bedroom studio. Meet John Murren. Close friend of ScottyMac's since age 12, Murren was a scene presence due to his writings for local music publications (such as In Effect & Chord). With a side-project the idea, Murren worked vocal parts into this material. ScottyMac sensed the raw ability and emotion that Murren let loose, thus paving the way for Murren to be the vocalist for this burgeoning project. Enter drummer Mike Zographas. Mike Z and ScottyMac had played together in various cover bands that were designed to raise money for numerous charity events in the Bronx. For years he wielded enormous talent (see Modern Drummer, April 1998) for the under-appreciated NYC rock outfit Rhinocerus. ScottyMac forecasted that Mike Z would be the backbone to ViC 20; the only drummer who could understand the dynamics of a growing vision. 1998 saw the goodbye of Hellbound, Doubting Thomas and Rhinocerus (mere coincidence?). By late 1998, the three began jamming diligently. It was a new beginning for all. Scott shed the stigma of being a bassist and cemented his guitar abilities. Mike brought his John Bonham-like approach to another level by accepting electronics and new drum techniques. Murren began the process of vocal maturation. Together, the three wrote new material that even featured some parts that comprised Scott's original four-track demo. After attempts at landing a second guitarist and bass player, ViC 20 finally recruited Eric "Bamph" Sachs to play bass almost a full year after the band's inception. A guitar virtuoso who often jammed with Scott, Bamph never played bass before. But his prowess on this instrument matched and exceeded all expectations. His ability to play scales and his overall flash only enhanced the musical scope of the band. A jukebox of influences is the ViC 20 sound. While on the heavy and extreme end of the spectrum, ViC 20 has incorporated its vast influences coherently and proficiently. The metal and hardcore sounds will juxtapose Pink Floyd mysticism and hip-hop stylings. The word on the street is that ViC 20 is bringing something new and original to the table. Incessant jamming keeps the groove of rock & roll intact; while the future is well-represented by the tasteful use of effects and electronics. Emotions are found in the harmonies, melodies and the aggressiveness as well as lyrically and vocally. It's a well-oiled machine, but one that bleeds, cries, and rises from the viruses that plague the human soul. ViC 20 embraces technological development, but never forgetting artistic expression based in emotion. The contrast is fluid, yet dramatic and dynamic. Since debuting on the city circuit in December of 1999 at CBGB, VIC 20 has captured attention by playing with Murphy's Law, Crisis, DieCast, The Clay People, The Haunted and many others. For Spring 2001, "Release Candidate" is unveiled. The debut features 22 minutes that displays the consistency of inconsistency that is the trademark of ViC 20.

Group Members Murren-Vox / Scotty Mac-Axe / Bamph-Bass/ Mike Z-Percussion and Sounds

Instruments Ibanez, Jackson - Guitars / Ibanez - Bass / Pearl - Drums / Marshall, Hartke - Amps / DigiTech, Zoom, Roland - Effects / Shure - Mics

Albums Release Candidate - 2001 EP debut

Press Reviews Vic 20 is like that bizarre cherry-flavored cough medicine you were prescribed for that bronchial infection that had you hacking up green goo. At first it didn't really go down too smooth. Too thick, made you gag, eyes teary but the flavor was bangin' When it went down and goddamn did it make you feel swell. Next thing you know, your swiggin' it, swearing to your Doc now you just can't shake that damn infection, yet your facing the world with one colossal looptafied smile. That's Vic 20. Bronx style looptafied. This crooked HatCore spit quite the intriguing concoction of old-school Thrash, GrassRoots Hardcore, Cookie Monster vocals and a Mike Patton brand of bizzare complete with samples, congas and bongos. On stage they look like four tough guys aching to beat up someone. Live, they're louder than fuck (if fuck ever had an applied volume) creating sounds fit for a crack den. - Liz Ciavarella, METAL MANIACS --------------------When I first saw these guys live I was a little taken back by their extremely experimental and vicious sounds, which really stand out at your average Hardcore show. Whether you like Hardcore, punk, metal, Jazz, Math Rock...the list could go on forever, these guys will impress you. Aside from the varying vocal styles that John Murren uses in each song, there are countless other instruments in the mix, keyboard, some extra drums, and some outlandish effects on the guitar and bass. They blend melody, metal breakdowns, guitar solo's [solos] and electronic sounds like I've never heard. If you have any balls at all and want to give something new a shot, make some if room for this in your collection. - CONCRETE REALITY ZINE--------------------An excellent debut EP. This band better fucking get some hype. - AVERSIONONLINE--------------------On the flip side of goon core is a new band from the Bronx, NY called Vic20. Though the band is new, its members cut their teeth in several other underground heavies, one notably being Hellbound. Their new indie CD "Release Candidate" is a thinking man's hardcore release. They incorporate a large number of influences ranging from the musings of Pink Floyd to the aggressive assault of today's power violence bands. If you like the challenge of bands like Compression, and want to stay with hardcore, check out Vic20. - FANG Magazine

Additional Info Full Color and Packaged Pro Recording

Location Bronx, New York - USA

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