Steve Brown stumbled upon his obsession while watching his uncle, Bill Westbrook, drumming for "Bruce Porter and the Bellhops." "The Bellhops" had recorded several albums in New York City in the 1960's and had a hit with "Rattlesnake," motivating Steve to sign up for his local school band. Steve has had the pleasure of being part of many bands such as "The Good Old Boys," "The Peelers," "The Anonymous Blues Band," and "The Hill Street All Stars."  Not limited to only the local music scene, Steve has had the honor of drumming for the "Melonheads."  This well known project has played several benefits in front of many influential senators in Washington, D.C., including entertaining at America's legendary music hall, "The Birchmere," in Alexandria, Virginia.  Drumming is, without a doubt, his favorite lifelong pastime and passion.  Watching Steve keep time with his top of the line Pearl drum kit, you will understand why he cites Neil Peart of "Rush," Gavin Harrison of "Porcupine Tree," Dave Weckl, Jojo Mayer, Benny Creb and Vinnie Colaiuta as major influences on his drumming style and technique. Steve’s hard driving rhythms, versatility and flawless meter gives the band its backbone and solid foundation, making "Vendetta" a truly unique project and experience!

 

As a former member of “Wet Monkey,” as well as “Go Down Fighting,” everyone associated with the local music scene knows that Matt Giglio is a guitar shredder!  Though his lead guitar styling’s were originally jazz based, it was Metallica’s riffs that first inspired Matt to dedicate and perfect his guitar skills that led him to compliment and complete the “Vendetta” line up.  However, looks can be deceiving.  Not only has Matt been schooled in music theory, but audio engineering as well. After receiving perfect grades for computer science from both Alfred State and Corning Community College, Matt has been designing and repairing computers for nearly a decade. Matt also is very competent at web design as well as computer animation, creating the very website you are viewing at this moment.

 

Once Dominic heard the dog house slap bass styling’s of Elvis Presley’s bass player, Bill Black, he began to listen more closely to what was going on behind the guitars and vocals.  After discovering “The Beatles” and Paul McCartney’s melodic bass lines, he was hooked.  Dominic’s recent projects have included "The Hill Street All Stars," and “Wet Monkey,” whose regional success enabled them to open for the “Black Eyed Peas” at Alfred University in 2004. Dominic’s bass playing, vocals and harmonies serve to expand the range and sound of “Vendetta.”  His influences have been absorbed from every form of classic rock to the most recent styles of recorded sound, far too numerous to mention.  Dominic completes the rhythm section of “Vendetta” with a thumping back beat to give the band a full, hard driving, energetic performance.

 

The latest addition to the “Vendetta” line-up is Hornell native Brian Tinker.   Brian’s vocals bring an intense raw and edgy style which is best suited for the genre of music that “Vendetta” delivers.  Surrounded by music as a child and inspired by his father’s guitar playing, Brian was ready to take on the role as lead singer and form his own band, “Go Down Fighting.” Though impossible to cite everything compelling, “Soundgarden’s” Chris Cornell, “Pearl Jam’s” Eddie Vedder, “Led Zeppelin’s” Robert Plant and “Tool’s” Maynard James Keenan heavily influenced Brian and can all be heard in his self-taught distinctive vocal style, performance and range.  Much more than just a vocalist, Brian also wrote and produced “Go Down Fighting’s” premier disc, “Movement.” With his love of entertaining and hunger to return to a live band setting, “Vendetta” welcomes Brian as its lead singer. 

 

Like any musician, Matt’s beginnings were humble.  After hearing Randy Rhoads blistering guitar playing, Matt was motivated to acquire his first guitar.  Matt cites guitar influences and band favorites “Metallica,” “Megadeth,” “Ozzy Osbourne,” “Stevie Ray Vaughan,” “Lynyrd Skynyrd,” Dimebag Darryl, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai among his many lists of favorites. No stranger to the local music scene, Matt’s successful former projects include “Badseed,” “3 ft. Warning,” “Sanity’s Edge,” and a brief stint with “Wet Monkey.” Matt McMindes is a power house in his own right, but when trading lead, rhythm and harmony guitar riffs with band mate Matt Giglio, there is nothing the two cannot play.  Together, a unique sound has been forged.

 

Currently “Vendetta’s” exclusive sound man, Jimmy Karnuth’s resume’ boasts quite a “who’s who” of both national and local talent!  With 20 years of experience to his credit, as well as being the in-house sound man for the Fireside Chat for over 10 years and assisting at Tag’s Summer Stage in Elmira, below are but a few acts that Jimmy has had the pleasure of working with; Vendetta; Wet Monkey; Buster Crabb; The Rogues; BallBreaker; LoveBurger; Agony Hill; Fair Warning; and many others too numerous to mention.  Impressive NATIONAL ACTS such as Loverboy; Melissa Ethridge; ZZ Top; Ted Nugent just to name a few continually add to Jimmy’s incredible synopsis!  It takes an excellent sound man to compliment a band, and Jimmy’s marriage with “Vendetta” is just that!  Any band can play well, but it takes Jimmy to bring out the best in quality and make them sound fantastic.  Because of Jimmy’s experience and equipment, “Vendetta” is capable of playing anywhere from the smallest clubs to larger venues.
Jimmy Karnuth uses only top of the line premier equipment such as;
QSC HPR 153i Top Cabinets
QSC HPR 181i 4 - 18” Sub Cabinets, which pumps out over 4000 watts of power!
Yamaha 1604 mc sound board with a DBX Drive Rack for the P.A. System
Alesis Midiverb and Midiverb
A Lexicon LXP1
3 - Shure Beta 98 Microphones
1 - Beta 91 Microphone
1 - SM 57 Microphone
2 - 609 Microphones

 

Some of the most important members that make a team run efficiently often go unnoticed.  Enter Francis “Poncho” Gallicchio.  Poncho, a constant supporter of the local music scene, saw “Vendetta” at its inception and realized that it was lacking that one final piece of the puzzle to complete “Vendetta’s” look to the public.  He liked what he heard and saw, so Poncho decided to approach the band with an idea; a lighting production second to none.  “Vendetta” loved it.  Words or pictures can not possibly describe the display of lights or do it any justice, but rather it needs to be seen to be believed.  With an 8-foot lighting truss that houses four 64 par cans, 2 moon glows; 2 scanners; 1 laser; a fog machine to accentuate and add effects to the spectacular production; two separate four foot T-Bar light side trees that each hold four additional lighting cans each gives a concert venue atmosphere to any event that “Vendetta” performs at. Poncho is the first one to arrive at a show and the last one to leave.  He is an asset to “Vendetta” and he makes the band look incredible!

 

Last, but most certainly not least, enter “Dutch Reddy!”  Being a humble fan of rock music, being at the right place at the right time brought out the flair “Dutch” has for rock photography.  While anyone can snap a picture of a band, instinctively knowing the music places “Dutch” at the right position to capture what has become the signature look of “Vendetta.”  From the very beginning, he has put his imagery on not only the website and MySpace photos, but is also a “good will ambassador” at “Vendetta’s” shows by getting people involved and interacting, allowing fans to reveal themselves through his camera lenses.  Influenced by all rockers, his personal “flash” comes mostly from the loudest and flamboyant of metal bands like “Judas Priest,” “Alice Cooper,” “KISS,” and many others. “Dutch” quickly and easily has become a valued and constant asset to “Vendetta.”  Always working behind the scenes, you can easily spot “Dutch” as the man with the loaded camera.  Virtually every photo that you see of “Vendetta” and of our fan base, “Dutch” is responsible for.  Although you may not always see him, you can always listen to “Dutch” every weekday morning from 6:00 – 10:00 a.m. as the morning co-host of the “Sharp and Reddy” show by turning your radio dial to WKPQ POWER 105.3 F.M. FEEL GOOD MUSIC!