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In an era of warmed-over alt-rock, by-the-numbers punk and politely mechanical R&B, VAMP stands alone, coming at you like a blast furnace of sweat, soul and passion. The San Diego-based bundle of sonic dynamite packs old-school entertainment value and a hard rock attitude into every huge, Fire-breathing note, and theyve been packing houses to capacity with astonished converts wherever they play since forming a few years ago. VAMPs combination of soul-steeped rock n roll and hell-raising showmanship is difficult to capture in words and must be experienced live to be fully appreciated. There are no contemporary reference points; you have to go back to a time when bands like Janis Joplins Kozmic Blues, Edgar Winters White Trash, Lydia Pences Cold Blood and Al Koopers Blood Sweat & Tears were storming the stage to make a connection.Ten pieces of pure pleasure, VAMPs method features chainsaw guitars, a stabbing horn section, swelling Hammond B3 organ riffs and choreographed background vocalists beneath the screaming enthusiasm of lead singer Mercedes Scalzitti. The lanky, lusty vocalist is one part Janis, one part Etta James, and 100% incandescent energy, as she pulls a crowd in with her tigers roar of a voice and unrestrained stage antics.
While VAMPs approach is very rock n roll, the sound is hallmarked by a genuine feel for vintage black music that can only come from being serious students of blues and R&B. Bandleader/guitarist Augie Scalzitti (Mercedes husband) has been a lifelong devotee of such legends as Etta James, Ray Charles, James Brown and Freddie King and that devotion is apparent in his work, whether in the form of VAMPs sterling originals or turbo-charged re-arrangements of classic material.
VAMP is essentially a new band, but one with a history nonetheless. In its original incarnation in the early 90s, Vamp was among the most popular local hard rock groups on the San Diego scene, with a sound that recalled the rootsy vibe of acts like the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and the Black Crowes. They seemed on the way to greater glory until the tragic death of drummer Jim Hurley put the brakes on VAMPs momentum. It was a blow the group never recovered from, musically or personally, and it effectively ended VAMPs career -- until now.
Finally healed from the loss of his best friend and musical soulmate, a re-motivated Scalzitti decided to put together a new version of VAMP. It was a ballsy and ambitious undertaking -- a stunning evolution from the simple, four-piece, guitar-driven sound that characterized the original band. So VAMP is back in the game louder meaner and nastier than ever. The sound is a fresh, tough, and effective combination of heavy rock and Rhythm and Blues, accented with a tireless brand of showmanship that hasnt been seen in decades. Check out VAMP!