Sonny Vincent

Robert Ventura, better known by the name of Sonny Vincent (born July 7, 1952, New York City, United States) is an American punk rock musician. He has been active since the mid-1970s, when he was part of the New York City punk rock scene with his original band, Testors.[1][2] Vincent is currently active in music, film, multi-media art, and writing. His pedigree includes mid-70s Testors' performances at C.B.G.B. and Max's Kansas City.[3] Always active in his own bands, Vincent also spent time touring and recording for 9 years as Maureen "Moe" Tucker and Sterling Morrison's guitar player (both of the Velvet Underground.) Members of Vincent's bands include a vast range of players/characters, from the drummer of the Stooges, Scott Asheton, to Charles Manson's one-time guitar player, Ernie Knapp.

Early life and career

Vincent formed Testors in 1975 with Gene Sinigalliano (guitar) and Gregory R (Gregory Lapina) (drums). Later line-ups included Surrealist Ron Pieniak (Rex Pharaoh) on bass, Jeff Couganour (Jeff West) on drums, and Kenneth Huebner (Kenneth Brighton) on bass. Testors played New York clubs such as Max's Kansas City, and CBGB and Philadelphia's Hot Club with groups such as: Mink DeVille, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, The Cramps, and Suicide. They also toured nationwide with the Dead Boys. Testors released a 7" single in 1976, "Together" b/w "Time Is Mine." [4]

In 1981, Testors disbanded and Vincent moved to Minneapolis.[5][5] In 1982, he formed Sonny Vincent and the Extreme with Michael Phillips (guitar), Jeff Rogers (drums) and Mort Bauman (bass guitar).[5][6] The group toured the U.S. and released another single, "SVE", with the songs, "Wingdale," "Top Dog," and "Phantom". In 1983, while still living in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Vincent became involved with film-making and multimedia arts.[1] The group made a film titled Mannequin World on the streets of Minneapolis. In 1984-1985, Vincent was involved in a performance art project that saw him banned from the grounds of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.[5]

After the Extreme disbanded, Vincent went on to form other groups, such as Model Prisoners 1987-1989 (with a line-up including, Bob Stinson from the Replacements, Mike Henderson, and Jim Michels)[1][5] and Shotgun Rationale 1989-1990, which had a revolving line-up that included, Mort Bauman, Mike Henderson, Stinson, Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys, and Greg Norton of Hüsker Dü.[5][7]

During the early 1990s, Vincent and drummer Jeff Rogers relocated from Minneapolis to Los Angeles where they formed a band for a short time with Ernie Knapp on bass.[5][8]

Late career

In the early 1990s, Vincent moved to the Netherlands. He formed a group, The Dons, with two Dutch musicians.[9] Other line-ups during this period were Sonny Vincent and His Rat Race Choir, which included Scott Asheton, Cheetah Chrome, and Captain Sensible.[10]

In addition to releasing over 20 albums under his own name, Vincent toured and recorded for nine years with Maureen "Moe" Tucker of The Velvet Underground. During this time, although Vincent continued to record his own albums and tour his own show, he dedicated many years to Tucker. He recorded several albums with her and did many tours across the United States and Europe as her guitar player. Although the line-ups Tucker used often changed, Vincent and John Sluggett were permanent members. Having two original members of the Velvet Underground (Tucker and Morrison) and members of Testors (Vincent) and Half Japanese (Sluggett) brought new life to the band. Victor DeLorenzo of the Violent Femmes also briefly joined the band.

After touring with Moe Tucker became less frequent, Vincent recorded a new album, Pure Filth, with drummer Scott Asheton of the Stooges and Captain Sensible of the Damned.[11] After this release Vincent and Asheton, along with Steve Baise of the Devil Dogs, toured the United States and Europe playing songs from the album and from Vincent's catalog.

Vincent has continued touring and playing his music for audiences in Europe and the United States.

In 2012 Vincent formed Sonny Vincent and the Bad Reactions. The band toured the United States during the summer and recorded three songs, released by tREND iS dEAD! records on 7" vinyl.[1] 2012 also saw Hozac records initiate the "Archive" branch of its label. The first release in this category was by Vincent's "Proto-Punk" band, Fury, recorded in 1972.

Discography

Below is a partial listing of releases by Sonny Vincent. Vocals and guitar by Sonny Vincent and in all cases the words and music are written by him.

Below is a listing of the Moe Tucker albums Sonny played guitar on- With Maureen Tucker of the Velvet Underground:

Compilations featuring Sonny Vincent songs:

" 2005 A Tribute to Mr. Rock 'Chuck Berry Tribute Album' 'Carol' performed by Sonny Vincent- Vinyl 12" LP Bronco Records (Spain)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Loftus, Johnny. "Biography: Sonny Vincent". Allmusic. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  2. ↑ "Testors reuniting for Mess Around Festival (and a NYC show)". brooklynvegan.com.
  3. ↑ "Interviews: Former Testors frontman Sonny Vincent talks about his current tour and his old band - Critic Studio Magazine". Critic Studio Magazine.
  4. ↑ Wilson, MacKenzie. "Biography: Testors". Allmusic. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "SONNY VINCENT BIOGRAPHY". sonnyvincent.maketrouble.net. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  6. ↑ "Sonny Vincent And The Extreme". Discogs. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Shotgun Rationale". Discogs. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "SONNY VINCENT: Ultramafic". Ox-Fanzine (review) (in German). October 2013.
  9. ↑ "The Dons". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Sonny Vincent and His Rat Race Choir - Sonny Vincent - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  11. ↑ "Sonny Vincent And His Rat Race Choir". BandToBand.

Further reading

Killings, Todd. "TRACK PREMIERE: Liquid Diamonds". Victim of Time. Retrieved 17 January 2015.  Jeff Clark. "Stomp And Stammer - Sonny Vincent (May.12 issue)". stompandstammer.com. 

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