Sonny Vincent
Encyclopedia
Sonny Vincent is a punk rock
musician. He has been active since the mid-1970s, when he was part of the New York City
punk rock scene.
Vincent formed the 'Testors' in 1976 with Gene Sinigalliano (guitar) and Gregory R (drums). Later line-ups included Surealist Ron Pieniak (Rex Pharaoh) on bass, Jeff Couganour (Jeff West) on drums and Kenneth Huebner (Kenneth Brighton) on bass. They played New York clubs such as Max's Kansas City
and CBGB
and The Hot Club in Philadelphia with groups such as Mink DeVille, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, The Cramps
and Suicide
, and toured nationwide with the Dead Boys. Testors released a 7" single, "Together" b/w "Time Is Mine".
In 1981, Testors disbanded and Vincent moved to Minneapolis where he formed Sonny Vincent and The Extreme with Michael Phillips (guitar), Jeff Rogers (drums) and the late Mort Bauman (bass guitar). The group toured the U.S. and released another single, "SVE" with the songs, "Wingdale," "Top Dog" and "Phantom." The group also made the bizarre film Mannequin World on the streets of Minneapolis. It was shown on television in the Twin Cities only once, after which the host of the program remarked, "I sure hope the boss wasn't watching." In 1983, Sonny was involved in a performance art project that saw him banned from the grounds of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. During his time living in Minneapolis/St. Paul Sonny Vincent also became involved with film-making and multimedia arts.
After The Extreme disbanded and Vincent went on to form other groups, such as Model Prisoners (line-up included Bob Stinson from The Replacements), Shotgun Rationale (a revolving line-up that included at one time or another Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys and Bob Stinson who incidentally were in the group together in what Sonny referred to while being interviewed as a "therapist's nightmare", Greg Norton - Hüsker Dü
, The Dons a group he formed in Holland with two Dutch musicians, Sonny Vincent and the Guevaras, Sonny Vincent and his Rat Race Choir (Scott Asheton - Stooges, Cheetah Crome - Dead Boys and Captain Sensible - The Damned). Currently Vincent records and performs under his own name.
Vincent has performed and recorded with musicians such as Wayne Kramer
, Maureen Tucker
, Scott Asheton
, Captain Sensible
, Cheetah Chrome
, Bob Stinson
, Walter Lure, Brian James, Thurston Moore
, Richard Lloyd, Lou Reed
, John Cale
, Sterling Morrison
, Jad Fair
, John Sluggett, Greg Ginn
, John Reis
, Lance of Athens GA and Kim Shattuk.
Vincent continues to perform and record with various musicians that he has met and worked with over the years. Due to Sonny's well known insistence on keeping his personal life and family history private, little is known of his family history . The only article to address Sonny's life, "Sonny Vincent and the Beaten Heart of Punk," appeared in Coilhouse magazine. Sonny Vincent still tours much of Europe on a regular basis performing his songs.
With Maureen Tucker
of the Velvet Underground:
Compilations featuring Sonny Vincent songs:
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
musician. He has been active since the mid-1970s, when he was part of the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
punk rock scene.
Vincent formed the 'Testors' in 1976 with Gene Sinigalliano (guitar) and Gregory R (drums). Later line-ups included Surealist Ron Pieniak (Rex Pharaoh) on bass, Jeff Couganour (Jeff West) on drums and Kenneth Huebner (Kenneth Brighton) on bass. They played New York clubs such as Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City was a nightclub and restaurant at 213 Park Avenue South, in New York City, which was a gathering spot for musicians, poets, artists and politicians in the 1960s and 1970s.-Origin of name:...
and CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
and The Hot Club in Philadelphia with groups such as Mink DeVille, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, The Cramps
The Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
and Suicide
Suicide (band)
Suicide is an American electronic protopunk musical duo, intermittently active since 1970 and composed of vocalist Alan Vega and Martin Rev on synthesizers and drum machines. They are an early synthesizer/vocal musical duo....
, and toured nationwide with the Dead Boys. Testors released a 7" single, "Together" b/w "Time Is Mine".
In 1981, Testors disbanded and Vincent moved to Minneapolis where he formed Sonny Vincent and The Extreme with Michael Phillips (guitar), Jeff Rogers (drums) and the late Mort Bauman (bass guitar). The group toured the U.S. and released another single, "SVE" with the songs, "Wingdale," "Top Dog" and "Phantom." The group also made the bizarre film Mannequin World on the streets of Minneapolis. It was shown on television in the Twin Cities only once, after which the host of the program remarked, "I sure hope the boss wasn't watching." In 1983, Sonny was involved in a performance art project that saw him banned from the grounds of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. During his time living in Minneapolis/St. Paul Sonny Vincent also became involved with film-making and multimedia arts.
After The Extreme disbanded and Vincent went on to form other groups, such as Model Prisoners (line-up included Bob Stinson from The Replacements), Shotgun Rationale (a revolving line-up that included at one time or another Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys and Bob Stinson who incidentally were in the group together in what Sonny referred to while being interviewed as a "therapist's nightmare", Greg Norton - Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
, The Dons a group he formed in Holland with two Dutch musicians, Sonny Vincent and the Guevaras, Sonny Vincent and his Rat Race Choir (Scott Asheton - Stooges, Cheetah Crome - Dead Boys and Captain Sensible - The Damned). Currently Vincent records and performs under his own name.
Vincent has performed and recorded with musicians such as Wayne Kramer
Wayne Kramer (guitarist)
Wayne Kramer is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and film and television scorer....
, Maureen Tucker
Maureen Tucker
Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker is a musician best known for having been the drummer for the rock group The Velvet Underground.- The Velvet Underground :...
, Scott Asheton
Scott Asheton
Scott "Rock Action" Asheton is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band The Stooges...
, Captain Sensible
Captain Sensible
Captain Sensible is a singer, songwriter, guitarist who grew up in Croydon, England, and co-founded the punk rock band The Damned in 1976. After leaving the band, he reinvented himself as an alternative pop singer with a rebellious, self-conscious image...
, Cheetah Chrome
Cheetah Chrome
Cheetah Chrome is an American musician who achieved fame as a guitarist for Rocket From the Tombs and the punk rock band, The Dead Boys....
, Bob Stinson
Bob Stinson
For the baseball player, see Bob Stinson Bob Stinson was the founding member and lead guitarist for the American rock band The Replacements.-The Replacements:...
, Walter Lure, Brian James, Thurston Moore
Thurston Moore
Thurston Joseph Moore is an American musician best known as a singer, songwriter and guitarist of Sonic Youth. He has also participated in many solo and group collaborations outside of Sonic Youth, as well as running the Ecstatic Peace! record label...
, Richard Lloyd, Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, John Cale
John Cale
John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
, Sterling Morrison
Sterling Morrison
Holmes Sterling Morrison, Jr. was one of the founding members of the rock group The Velvet Underground, usually playing electric guitar, occasionally bass guitar, and singing backing vocals.-Biography:...
, Jad Fair
Jad Fair
Jad Fair is an American singer, guitarist and graphic artist, most famous for being a founding member of lo-fi alternative rock group Half Japanese.-Biography:In 1974, with his brother David, Jad Fair founded the lo-fi group Half Japanese...
, John Sluggett, Greg Ginn
Greg Ginn
Gregory Regis Ginn is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He is best known for being the leader of and primary songwriter for the hardcore punk band Black Flag, which he founded and led from 1976 to 1986....
, John Reis
John Reis
John Reis is an American musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, and disc jockey. He is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band Rocket from the Crypt, which he formed and fronted for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005...
, Lance of Athens GA and Kim Shattuk.
Vincent continues to perform and record with various musicians that he has met and worked with over the years. Due to Sonny's well known insistence on keeping his personal life and family history private, little is known of his family history . The only article to address Sonny's life, "Sonny Vincent and the Beaten Heart of Punk," appeared in Coilhouse magazine. Sonny Vincent still tours much of Europe on a regular basis performing his songs.
Discography
- 1980 Testors - Time is Mine/Together - 7" Drive In Music (USA)
- 1982 Sonny Vincent and The Extreme - SVE - 7" Flexi-EP
- 1985 Model Prisoners - Lesson In Life - 7" - Charm Records (USA)
- 1989 Shotgun Rationale - Who Do They Think They Are - LP Nomad Communications (UK)/EFA Producer: Maureen Tucker (Velvet Underground)
- 1991 Shotgun Rationale - s/t - 7" EP - Dog Meat Records (Australia)
- 1992 Shotgun Rationale - Beyond Rebellion - CD - D.D.R. Records (Germany)/RTD
- 1992 Sonny Vincent - Recordings 1979-91 - LP - Vince Lombardy Highschool Records (Germany)/EFA
- 1993 Shotgun Rationale - Roller Coaster - LP/CD - Vince Lombardy Highschool Records (Germany)/EFA;
- 1994 The Dons - Gunsmoke - 7" - Vince Lombardy Highschool Records (Germany)
- 1994 The Dons - Naked - CD - Voices Music (Germany)
- 1995 Shotgun Rationale - Cocked - CD - Subway Records (Germany)
- 1995 Sonny Vincent - Original Punk Rock Recordings, New York, 1976-77 - 10" - Incognito Records (Germany)
- 1997 Sonny Vincent - Good Dogs Die Young - CD - Noiseworks Records (Germany)
- 1997 Sonny Vincent and his Rat Race Choir - Pure Filth - CD - Overdose Records (Switzerland)
- 1997 Sonny Vincent - 7" - Flight 13 Records (Germany)
- 1997 Sonny Vincent - Electric K.O. Live In France - 7" EP - Nest Of Vipers Records (France)
- 1998 Sonny Vincent - Lucky Seven Inch Record - 7" EP - Incognito Records (Germany)
- 1998 Sonny Vincent and his Rat Race Choir - Pure Filth - 10" - Safety Pin Records (Spain)
- 1998 Sonny Vincent - Hard In Detroit - LP - Nest Of Vipers (France)
- 1998 Sonny Vincent - Parallax In Wonderland - CD - empty Records (Germany)
- 1998 Sonny Vincent/Else Admire - Breadless Art - Split 7" - Incognito Records (Germany)
- 1998 Sonny Vincent - Songs To Kick Your Ass By - 7" EP - Nest Of Vipers (France)
- 2000 Sonny Vincent - Parallax In Wonderland - CD - Devil Doll Records (US release)
- 2000 Sonny Vincent - Parallax In Wonderland - LP (European vinyl only release) - Munster Records (Spain)
- 2000 Sonny Vincent - Original Punk Rock Recordings, New York, 1976-77 Part Two, 10" - Incognito Records (Germany)
- 2000 Sonny Vincent – Resistor – 7" - NDN Records (Texas, USA)
- 2000 Testors featuring Sonny Vincent – New York City Punk Rock 1979 – LP (vinyl) - Rave Up Records (Italy)
- 2000 Sonny Vincent and The Safety Pins – Power Ride – EP - Munster Records (Spain)
- 2001 Sonny Vincent – Hell's Kitchen – CD/LP - Munster Records (Spain)
- 2003 Sonny Vincent – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly – CD/LP - Empty Records (Germany), Munster Records (Spain), Acetate Records (USA)
- 2003 Testors featuring Sonny Vincent – Complete Recordings 1976-79 – 2CD/doubleLP - Swami Records (USA)
- 2003 Sonny Vincent/Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
– A Good Day for Rock/Wailing Sounds – saw-blade shaped 7"- Empty Records (Germany) - 2003 Sonny Vincent – My Guitar b/w Funny Now (she blew it) – 7" - Flapping Jet Records (USA)
- 2005 Sonny Vincent – Soul Mates – CD - Disturbed/Cargo Records (Germany)
- 2006 Sonny Vincent – P.I.N.S. – 2CD - NDN Records (USA)
- 2007 Sonny Vincent – Switchblade Summer – CD - Nest Of Vipers Records (France)
- 2008 Sonny Vincent'-Testors Live' – Vinyl LP - Incognito Records (Germany)
- 2009 Sonny Vincent – Semper Fidelis – LP - Rockin' Bones Records (Italy) 3 LP set
- 2009 Sonny Vincent – Semper Fidelis – CD - PukeandvomitRecords (USA)
- 2009 Sonny Vincent – Sonny Vincent With Members Of Rocket From The Crypt–CD+LP-We Deliver The Guts/Cargo Records(Germany)
- 2010 Model Prisoners Featuring:Sonny Vincent And Bob Stinson – Cow Milking Music – LP incl CD-Disturbed Records Distro Cargo
- 2010 Sonny Vincent – Sonny Vincent With Members Of Rocket From The Crypt – Complete Studio Recordings And Exclusive Live Performances–CD-We Deliver The Guts/Cargo Records(Germany)
- 2010 Testors – Two Sides Of Death – Vinyl 7" 45 record - Windian Records (USA) *Two exclusive tracks
- 2011 Sonny Vincent – Bizarro Hymns – LP and CD package - Still Unbeatable Records (Germany)
With Maureen Tucker
Maureen Tucker
Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker is a musician best known for having been the drummer for the rock group The Velvet Underground.- The Velvet Underground :...
of the Velvet Underground:
- 1991 I Spent A Week There The Other Night - LP - New Rose Records (France)
- 1991 Fired Up - 10 inch single - New Rose (France)
- 1992 Oh No They're Recording This Show - Live Album
- 1994 Dogs Under Stress - LP/CD - Sky/Ichiban Records (USA)
Compilations featuring Sonny Vincent songs:
- Found In The Subway and People's Republic Of Rock'n'Roll - Subway Records, Germany
- Unexpected Flying Objects - Flying Revolverblatt Anniversary 10", Germany
- 1998 Moderne Menschen Kaufen Modern – CD - Noiseworks Records / The Orchard
- 2000 A Fistful of Rock'n'Roll Vol. 6 - CD - Tee Pee Records
- 2000 Munster Records Goes HiFi - CD - Munster Records (Spain)
- 2001 Again... This one's for Johnny - CD - Munster Records (Spain)
- 2003 Swami Sound System Vol. 1: 2003 Sales Conference – CD - Swami Records (USA)
- 2007 Greetings From Los Angeles - Eight Years of Acetate Records - CD - Acetate Records (USA)
External links
- COILHOUSE MAGAZINE-Full Article and Interview- http://coilhouse.net/2008/09/sonny-vincent-and-the-beaten-heart-of-punk/
- Article Italian Magazine http://www.blackmilkmag.com/bm/2009/12/sonny-vincent-io-sono-leggenda/