Wanted in the Vanilla Village

An E-Mail Interview with The Vanilla Village Villains

XROXX: Tell us about how the VVV came to be a band, i.e. where you are from, how long you've known each other, where ya got the band name from, etc.?

TOM: We are from Riverside, IL. I've known Adam and Paul since about 3rd or 4th grade, but we never hung out until about 8th or 9th grade. I met all the other guys through Adam and Paul. Riverside is a mostly white town and people in other towns call it the "Vanilla Village." We were just gonna be The Villains, but The Vanilla Village Villains is more fun than The Villains.

ADAM: Andrew and I talked about forming a ska band during cross-country training camp in the summer of 1999. Little did we know that we would become the seven-piece masterpiece that we are today. The band was formed on some friendships started in high school and some that formed before that. Basically, we tried to find the right musicians that would be able to play hard and have fun doing it. Riverside is also known as the vanilla village, so we figured the name would be a neat insubordination to the Riverside code.

JOE: Adam, Stinkbutt, Dorner, Paul, Roberto, and El Jeffy came together with two other members, Max and Rob. They basically came together for a battle (of the bands) at Nazerth High School cause of the prize or something. Max had a serious girlfriend and he never made practices and such so he quit the band. Rob had to move on to college and never was affiliated with the band afterwards. This is where I come into play. I was a really good friend of Stinkbutt and he talked to all the other members in the band about me playing bass for them. My guess is that they all agreed. So I came into the band adding more punkness and some sweet bass grooves that no one else has. Most of the other members are from the Riverside area but me and Stinkbutt hail from Brookfield, IL right by the zoo. I'm sure you know about the name or you'll find out from another band member.

JEFF: I'm not really going to answer this, cause I'm sure Tom and Adam can explain it better.

ANDREW: LONG VERSION: Back in the summer of 1999, Adam Wilhelm and I met in high school cross-country camp. I would always bring my CD player car kit into the van, and all I would play was the Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake from my juvenile days in 8th grade. We talked a lot about ska/punk and agreed we would have to be in our school's battle of the bands at the end of the year, therein setting the reason for an upper classman to be willing to hang out with a freshman underling. Then, a certain young chap named Tom Dorner confronted us with the news of a Nazareth battle (of the bands) that following winter in addition to his newfound trombone talent. So, we called in Adam's twin bro (whom was at the time a metal band's drummer) to lay down some fresh ska beats and Rob Montague, a trombone player we all knew from jazz. Unfortunately, Rob was to graduate that year and left the band. Then, since El Jefe (Schmitty) wasn't around for our first two gigs, we called in a jazz sax ringer, Mister Robert Collazo (who would eventually join our crew full-time). Finally, Max, a guitarist friend of the band, played bass for us until we found the hippest player/player around, Joseph Warren Gaske.

XROXX: Do you find yourselves at a disadvantage in the punk/ska world because you live in the Midwest instead of on the West coast?

TOM: I'd say no because we tend to stand out more in the Midwest cause there are not a lot of ska/punk bands, and the kids at shows here are always looking for something new to listen to. It is not like there are punk scenes and ska scenes and emo scenes. It is just one big scene of kids who listen to everything. We play with all kinds of bands here; punk, ska, emo, hardcore, metal, funk, everything.

ADAM: There is not a lack of ska enthusiasm in the Midwest, although it might be more abundant out west. I don't think we find ourselves at a disadvantage at all because the venues are there, and it's up to us to take advantage of those opportunities. We know that shows are not just going to come to us.

JOE: I find that living in the Midwest comes to a disadvantage because there aren't that many good places to play at, but otherwise it's sweet living in Chicago.

JEFF: I think there's a pretty good local scene, however I feel that punk does revolve around Cali, and most of the cool labels are out there, so it's tough, but if we stick it out it won't be a problem.

ANDREW: Who cares?! We're still doing something really musical, and I don't know if we'd all have the same musical background/knowledge if we didn't live right here in grand ole Chicago suburbia.

XROXX: Where is your favorite place to play live?

TOM: I really liked The Rave in Milwaukee. We were the openers for the openers for Lucky Boys Confusion (another band from that Chicago scene I spoke of earlier) and the people at The Rave treated us like we were the headlining act. The crowd was awesome too; I think that is the first show where we had kids bouncing, skanking, moshing and singing along all at once. I even dove off the stage and got passed around during our last song. The energy in the room was so awesome. I just wish all of our friends from Chicago could have been there to join in, but I was happy alot of them drove up for the show. I had to check 14 people into my dorm so they had a place to sleep, and I was sexiled out of my room, so my awesome friend TJ let us all crash in his room. I think we had 17 people sleep in a room meant for three.

ADAM: Personally, I have enjoyed playing at Sputnik in Homewood, IL more than anywhere. The Rave in Milwaukee was amazing simply because of the vast number of people that came out to cheer for us.

JOE: I'd have to say The Rave in Wisconsin was a really cool place.

JEFF: Obviously our show at The Rave was the best. I always liked The Corral, even though that's not happening again.

ANDREW: I loved playing The Rave in WI.

XROXX: Do you have any funny stories about major screw-ups or total mayhem on stage while playing live?

TOM: Well, once someone sprayed Paul's drum kit with a fire extingusher right before our set, so it was kind giving off weird smells and clouds of dust when he hit the drums. Adam's amp has died in the middle of many a performance. The silence is usually interrupted with screams and profanity. Travel is fun too. If you have ever traveled with The VVV you know we have this pants optional rule, where, well, pants are optional. We've pulled up to gas stations and other establishments and people get out of the van in boxers forgetting they are not wearing any pants and we get funny looks. Our offical "roadie tech guy" Angelo did the old pants optional routine at The Rave while helping us remove gear from the stage. The bouncers, I think, were more puzzled than concerned on why the band's roadie wasn't wearing pants. While we were recording roar!!!, we yelled at a lady out the window of the van, and later when we were leaving the studio she came up on us with a camera and tried to take pics of us and our license plate to give to the police.

ADAM: We still have to get the mayhem part down. As far as screw-ups, nothing out of the ordinary (i.e. amp malfunctions, mics tipping over, etc.).

JOE: Not really, me and Stinkbutt are the mayhem. Stinkbutt = Andrew "i'm a big pooface" Skoirchet.

JEFF: Not really. We're mostly business, however our show at The Canopy in Urbana didn't go well as we only had five guys there and just about as many in the audience. I was trying to crack jokes to get the crowd going. Also, a fuse blew in our last show, and we're still too forgetful to get a new one, but dont' worry, the old crappy amp from RBHS will be up and running again.

ANDREW: Sometimes Tommly takes his shirt off. (just kiddin' Tom!)

XROXX: After completing your first album Roar!!! and playing it out live, what can we expect from your future recordings?

TOM: Our soundwriting and sound has matured. Expect to hear different people singing different songs. I think, based on feedback from friends, we are gonna try to mix the final tracks a little more "live" sounding than Roar!!!.

ADAM: I think we'll use that recording as a foundation to improve upon, since we know we can do better if we spend more time and energy working on our tunes. With a few of the new tunes, we've done some stuff with minor keys and secondary dominant chords, as well as different tempos and rhythm feels than one would hear in ROAR!!!. Overall, we're still trying to show our ability to play a diverse range of music.

JOE: Um, I guess sort of the same principals, but be on the lookout for Stinkbutt in a speedo on the cover.

JEFF: More ska, more horn integration with the song, more of an emphasis on "team writing" where everyone writes, at least that's what my impression is so far. A lot of positive energy, we're hopin to get in a recording session before the summer is over.

ANDREW: They won't suck. We've learned a lot about equipment, sound, and mixing, and we could all put out a much better album next time around. I've always said we should re-cut ROAR!!!.

XROXX: Is there a favorite song off of Roar!!! that the band likes to play live?

TOM: I like to play "Dannie" and "Right Where I Left You" alot. There is a song called "The Future" that we haven't recorded yet, but I enjoy playing. It was written about the same time as most of the roar!!! material, but sounds more edgy and furious.

ADAM: No one tune outshines the rest. I enjoy playing them all equally.

JOE: I like to play the whole thing, every single song.

JEFF: Hmm, probably "No Bananas," just because the crowd seems to like it.

ANDREW: We always play "Dannie,: and everybody seems to enjoy the Skoirchet medley; "No Bananas" into "Trend Takes." I personally enjoy "All For Show."

XROXX: Honestly now, tell us why you all wanted to be in and started a band; and we don't want to hear that you did it for "the music," because we won't believe it.

TOM: I just thought it would be fun to make music for my friends to enjoy. I love music and respect musicans and I get happy when I hear a song I can relate to, so I wanted to make a sound and a message that my friends would relate to and make them happy. As for starting the band for meeting girls, well I can't say the band hooked me up with any, most of the time they came to me looking for Joe or Adam. Ska bands aren't full of cute guys who girls flock to. The girls find out I play trombone and excuse themselves and that is it. There was one girl I dated who would to come to all of our shows, but I later found out she hated the band and was just there to see me. She actually broke up with me cause I was too involved with the band (which she hated), and she was sick of going to the shows and talking to me about the guys and our VVV related discussions. I still haven't gotten the chance to thank her for opening my eyes to the fact that not everyone loves my band as much as I do.

ADAM: I wanted to start a band because of the feeling that comes from performing for people. It's like nothing else. I've seen bands that are incredibly effective at riveting a crowd, and that's what I wanted to strive to accomplish.

JOE: Honestly, I wanted to be in a band for the girls, but it hasn't worked.....yet.......

JEFF: Adam made me.

ANDREW: For the fun of it - AND THE MUSIC!!!

XROXX: Here is a tried and true question. Who are your musical influences?

TOM: I'm gonna take the easy way out and say everyone. It's late and I am very tired and I think I am getting carpal tunnel in my hands from typing too much.

ADAM: I'd say our influences range from ska/punk staples such as Less Than Jake and Goldfinger, while we use techniques incorporated by bands like Deal's Gone Bad and Heavystep. We must not forget the jazz influences of greats like John Coltrane and Miles Davis, since our horn players do their share of soloing.

JOE: Mark Hoppus, Blink 182 Matt Wong, RBF, Aaron Barrett, RBF, Travis Barker, Blink 182, Tom Delonge, Blink 182.

JEFF: Coltrane, NOFX, Parker, Bad Religion, Kevin Mcolgan.

ANDREW: Well, I'll start with a ska/punk band just cause it fits the bill. Less Than Jake, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly Furtado, Chick Corea, and a lot of stuff. I think that's why our music is so non-traditional compared to most ska/punk stuff. We draw in different styles and it sounds fresh. Robert really likes Stevie Wonder, I know, and one time I think Jeff and Paul cooked up a Pumpkins cover.

XROXX: Who has been your favorite band to play with thus far?

TOM: I like First Grade Crush, One Man Crowd, 2001 Rock Odyssey, Last Place Champs, and Lost Cause.

ADAM: My favorite band that we have played with would probably be Deal's Gone Bad, great music to skank along to.

JOE: Definately ONE MAN CROWD.

JEFF: Lucky Boyz, because they're the biggest...One Man Crowd.

ANDREW: I don't really know. I would have liked to say I had played with the Sellouts, but they're not a band anymore.

XROXX: What bands are out there do you recommend that we might not have heard of yet?

TOM: Check out One Man Crowd, our bassist and roadie are in it. I love their sound, and we share everything with them from equiptment to fans to flyers. They can get any crowd moving around in four songs, I've seen it happen.

ADAM: One Man Crowd, and up-and-coming punk powerhouse from our area, The Sandbox Kids, who impressed me at the first FOUL show in Oak Park, IL. And the Law Abiding Citizens, about whom Robert raves about as being a great ska band.

JOE: One Man Crowd. Go to www.onemancrowd.com.

JEFF: The Hives. They're more than a one song band, the album's good and old school for only being 28 minutes. The Chinkees, although I'm sure you've heard of them.

ANDREW: One Man Crowd, I don't really know.

XROXX: If you could kick one member out of the VVV, who would it be, i.e who is the weakest link?

TOM: I'd kick myself out. Musically I suck the most, and now that the other band members have the e-mail and website password I'm doomed. I still have 96 bucks in my room that belongs to the band. I think once that is gone though my time is up.

ADAM: Probably me, because I'm usually out with my girlfriend when everyone else wants to rehearse.

JOE: I would kick out Stinkbutt, just because I don't like his fat poo poo head.

JEFF: Everyone, because we all sold out by cutting our hair. Here we are in sell out order (1 being the biggest sell out haircut):

1. Me (I admit it, I just suck at keeping a good long haircut. I end up growing it too long and looking terrible, then I get frustrated and go short. I'm disgusted with myself).
2. Adam (Sorry Adam, you were workin' the mop top, but now you've got a cleancut attitude).
3. Andrew (Whenever Andross has long hair, good things happen).
4. Paul (Didn't cut it too short, but it's still too much of a cut).
5. Robert (Very good hair, but the semi-fro could be longer).
6. Joe (Is workin' the short spiked up look).
7. Tom (Buzzcut looks good, plus earrings add to hardcore-ness).

ANDREW: Well, I might wanna kick Paul out of the band, and then invite him to start a rock/alternative group with me. On second thought, it would definitely have to be Joe, the meanest poobutt ever to walk the earth. In retrospect, I wish Max never left because he isn't a smart aleck like Joe at all. Plus, he had a cool sticker making fun of country music. Yea, I want Joe's smelly ass as far away from me as possible. Give him the boot.

XROXX: Lastly, where do you see the VVV being at in the music world in five years?

TOM: We'd just finish our five-peat of the XROXX Battle of the Bands, and hopefully we'll all be happy with our success. We each have a different goal as to how far we want to take the band, but I think we'll all be happy and still making music. We have a long way to go before we hit all our goals.

ADAM: Hopefully we will be a well-known Midwest ska band with a humble, loyal following. We should have a couple more recordings available and selling in independent record stores in the area. Signing us to a label is not even crossing my mind right now.

JOE: Hopefully together and playing some shows across the country.

JEFF: I see myself having my own reality show like "The Osbounres," in which I only play Baseball Simulator 1.000, listen to techno, and eat frosted mini wheats all day. Seriously, I hope we can continue to create and play music, whether we're supporting ourselves with it or not.

ANDREW: Still scraping for money, depends how recording goes. We have some really good stuff.