Civilized Natives

Music:

Member Since: 5/17/2007
Band Website: myspace/civilizednatives4ever.com
Band Members: Glenn Vignolo, Therese Vignolo, and Robert Hammac. Also: Mark Miller, Billy Harris, Greg Fink, Jeff Gardner, Brad Noble, Vince Asburenson, and more!!Glenn Vignolo - Vocals/12&6 string guitars/Harmonica Coached by my sister to enter the 2nd grade school talent show I sang for my first audience (300 people) and was addicted. Through various talent shows and choirs I worked on my vocal ability. At age 12 a friend introduced me to two things that would set me on my current path: ”The Beatles” and the guitar. I had already been writing poetry for a few years, so the idea of putting music to the poems intrigued me. I taught myself rhythm guitar at first for the simple purpose of accompanying my singing and writing songs. Eventually however, I became dissatisfied with lead guitarists who it seemed were more interested in the “hair metal” bands of the day than in crafting a melodic sound. Inspired by Eric Clapton, I took matters (and a Fender Stratocaster) into my own hands and became a lead guitarist.In 1991, I wrote “Pale” (which appears on Closing In) and made a primitive demo on which I played all instruments. Getting a feel for arrangement and instrumentation in the music, I did this with other songs as well. It was at this time that the harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and the production and songwriting of Electric Light Orchestra (fronted by Jeff Lynne) became another part of the foundation on which I would form a band. The heartbreak and longing in Roy Orbison’s voice and songs inspired me to pour out my own feelings.In 1994, fueled by all these influences, I acquired a four-track recorder and began demos for what went on to become Civilized Natives . In Civilized Natives the sounds of the Beatles, ELO, Crosby Stills and Nash, and Eric Clapton’s guitar came together to form a new sound all it’s own. This bittersweet sound with a rock and roll heartbeat is built on the dreams of a 12 year old boy who found in the Beatles the inspiration to strap on an electric guitar, step into the spotlight, and sing what his heart told him to.Musical Influences: The Beatles, Crosby Stills and Nash, Electric Light Orchestra, Roy Orbison and Eric ClaptonFavorite Quote: “The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not mov’d with the concord of sweet sounds is fit for treasons stratagems and spoils…let no such man be trusted…” -- William ShakespeareTherese (Florian) Vignolo - Vocals /Perc./Acoustic GuitarTherese discovered her musical ability at the tender age of four when her Great Uncle, Father John Licari requested that she sing for the celebrities at St Anne’s Round Up (Pensacola, FL.), a fundraising event for the church. From then on she sang in talent shows, fund raisers and in school plays. Around this time she began listening to the music of Phil Collins and The Bee Gees, which gave her a love for highly refined production values and song craft. At age 13, inspired by her grandmother, she sang Schubert’s “Ave Maria”. With the help of Dan Simpler, who was taken with her vocal ability, she took on the club scene and sang with many different performers including her Uncle, John Licari. It was at this time, she was influenced by Patsy Cline, who gave her a sense of the dramatic in music. She also heard Celine Dion whose vocal power and acrobatics helped her find her own voice.In 1996 she crossed paths with a childhood friend, Glenn Vignolo. They sang together for the first time and their voices fit like a glove. He played her a CD of Civilized Natives and she fell in love with the material. From there they did duo shows up until the point that Therese was invited into the band. On August 12th, 2000 Therese and Glenn were married. Her operatic power and soulful, gutsy growl are coupled with an ethereal quality that makes her unique among singers. Whether by singing lead vocals, or by taking her place in the harmony wall, Therese brings versatility, experience, and zeal to her craft. Musical Influences: Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Roy Orbison, K.D. Lang, Patsy Cline, The Beatles, The Bee Gees and Vince Gill.Favorite Quote: “…and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make…” –Sir Paul McCartney-Jeff Gardner- Vocals/KeyboardsAt age nine Jeff was inspired to play piano by Vangelis’ Chariots of Fire soundtrack. Before he could start piano lessons he composed his own songs just to have something to play. From there he took piano instruction to perfect his skill and was a member of the Chapel of Hope youth choir in Yokosuka, Japan as well. After twenty years of music he still doesn’t know how to play Chariots of Fire.Musical Influences:Vangelis, Elton John, Tori Amos and MetallicaFavorite Quote:"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, that’s why we call it the present." -Cowboy Mouth, Springfest ’98-Robert Hammac- Vocals/Perc./CongasRobert started singing harmonies with records at the age of five. He wrote his first song at age 14 and has since become a prolific songwriter. In the 10th grade he sang in a chorus group called the Escambians, he performed for the first time in front of 200 people at the Naval Chapel at NAS, Pensacola and loved it. He followed choir into his sophomore year of college. A natural singer with an excellent sense of pitch he has become an indispensable member of the Natives harmony wall.Musical Influences: The Beatles, K.D. Lang, Gladys Knight and the pips, Roy Orbison, George O'dowd, Petshop boys, Depeche Mode, Billy Joel, Beck, Bjork, Radiohead, Marvin gaye, Nat King Cole, George Michael, Elton John and Queen FavoriteFavorite Quote:"The doer does the things he dreams whether great, or small, but the dreamer dreams of things to come that never come at all." -R.D. Hammac-
Influences: ____________________The Who, Radiohead, Eric Clapton, Alanis, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Crosby Steels & Nash, The Beatles, COLD PLAY, Jefferson Airplane, Dennis Leary, Tenacious D, George Harrison, John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, Simon & Garfunkle, Janis Joplin, Pat Benatar, Seal, Queen, K D Lang, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynn, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Fiona Apple, The Doors, The Cure, Elton John, Queen, Pink Floyd, CREAM, and so many more we couldnt possibly list them all in a day. _____________________
Sounds Like: A really big herd of wild animals stampeding in your direction, while simultaneously crying out with mics and amps to the sweet sounds of ROCK N ROLL BABY!!
Record Label: Civinat records
Type of Label: None