Vic Thrill is the stage name for Billy Campion, former lead singer for The Bogmen

The Bogmen

The Bogmen are an indie rock band from Huntington, Long Island, New York. The band was formed in 1993 by Billy Campion, Bill Ryan, Brendan Ryan, Mark Wike, P.J. O'Connor and Clive Tucker. Though they were signed by major label Arista Records in 1995, they fell just short of mainstream success...

, and his supporting band. Just before the breakup of The Bogmen, Vic Thrill began crafting the material that eventually formed his first solo album Blown From the Action, released in 2002. Recorded in his home studio, Blown From the Action documents the transition from The Bogmen's sound to Vic Thrill's own unique style.

Vic Thrill's original band members were Mark Wike (bass,keys), Derek Finan (Drums) and Anthony Rizzo (Guitar). Their ground-breaking album, CE-5, was released in 2003

2003 in music

-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...

. In October 2006, Vic Thrill released the follow-up album Circus of Enlightenment with guitarist Anthony Rizzo (a.k.a The Saturn Missile (former guitarist for Garden Variety)).

Vic Thrill has opened for bands like Devo

Devo

Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...

 and Iggy & The Stooges, performed at the Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer

John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...

 memorial show at New York's Irving Plaza

Irving Plaza

Irving Plaza is a 1,200-person ballroom-style music venue at 17 Irving Place and East 15th Street in the Union Square neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City...

 just after his death, and played at Randall's Island

Randall's Island

Randall's Island is situated in the East River in New York City, part of the borough of Manhattan. It is separated from Manhattan island on the west by the river's main channel, from Queens on the east by the Hell Gate, and from the Bronx on the north by the Bronx Kill. It is joined to Wards...

 Amsterjam with the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...

, Peaches

Peaches (musician)

Merrill Beth Nisker , better known by her stage name Peaches, is a Canadian electronic musician and performance artist who lives in Berlin, Germany. Her songs are noted for disregarding traditional gender norms and their use of sexually explicit lyrics...

, and Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...

. Outside of the US, Vic Thrill has traveled frequently to Europe, with a large followings in Italy, Ireland and the UK, and heavy radio play on Scotland's RADIO 1, where they were voted among Best Shows of 2004 for their live performance and interview.

Vic Thrill's headquarters from 1997–2004, known as The Vic Thrill Salon, was referred to on Chicago Public Radio

Chicago Public Radio

WBEZ is a noncommercial, public radio station broadcasting from Chicago, Illinois. Financed primarily by listener contributions, the station is affiliated with both National Public Radio and Public Radio International; they also broadcast content from American Public Media...

's This American Life

This American Life

This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...

as a "thrift shop version of Andy Warhol's Factory," and was located in Brooklyn at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge.

Remixes of the band have been done by former band member Aure Dextre and fellow Circus Clone Records recording artist Poingly.

Solo discography

• Blown From the Action (2002, Circus Clone Records)
• CE-5 (2003, Circus Clone Records)
• Circus of Enlightenment (2006, Circus Clone Records)

External links

• Official site
• Vic Thrill on Myspace
• "Curly Oxide and Vic Thrill" on IMDB.com