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CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER INTERVIEW JULY 14th, 2010
July 14th, 2010 - Original Article ► Click Here

Teach your children: As a child, Joe Vitale Jr. grew up in the shadows of his dad, who for years played with rock 'n' roll giants (Joe Walsh... See More; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Dan Fogelberg; the Eagles). Today, the Canton native is following in his father's footsteps recording and playing out. "At the moment, I'm putting together a band for my record 'Dancing With Shadows,' which is released at the end of 2008," said Vitale, a 1996 Jackson High School graduate. "I refer to it as industrial classic rock. It's rock 'n' roll with a lot of electronic edge to it. It's The Who-meets-Nine Inch Nails but with cleaner lyrics. I also play with tribute band OHIO: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. My dad, Joe Vitale, plays with Crosby, Stills & Nash. He's actually out with them now, so I started playing with them because I kind of grew up with the music from my dad playing it all through my youth and knowing all of the songs. I thought it would be a lot of fun, and also I play the character of my dad. So it's kind of surreal." OHIO: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is scheduled to play at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester Tavern & Music Hall, 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Tickets are $15. Call 216-226-5681
Written by: John Benson

2009 LANCE RECORDS ALBUM REVIEW BY BEVERLY PATERSON
Spring 2009

Joe Vitale Jr. “Dancing With Shadows” (Vari Loud Records)

“n air of suspense also guides the record, as inventive structures and moments of nervous tension wash over the landscape.”

They say talent is genetic, and Joe Vitale Jr., who is the son of drummer extraordinaire Joe Vitale, is no exception. Introduced to the rock and roll life at an early age, Joe Jr. was still in elementary school when he made his debut performance, playing tambourine on stage with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Since then, Joe Jr. has established himself as a singular music machine. A multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer, Joe Jr. shines ever so brightly on his first album, “Dancing With Shadows,” which deftly injects modern pop sensibilities into classic rock scenarios.


Stirring rhythms, complemented by throbbing breaks and tugging hooks tend to characterize the music here. A hypnotic touch is visible throughout, particularly on the title track, which certainly does evoke images of one dancing with shadows. Dark moods, intertwined with rays of light give the material a nice balance. Rumbling keyboards rub shoulders with slaving guitar riffs to the tune of Joe Jr.’s strong and sturdy vocals, which strike a commanding presence. An air of suspense also guides the record, as inventive structures and moments of nervous tension wash over the landscape. “She Intoxicates,” “Mysterious,” “Infectious” and “I Don’t Belong” are just a quick mention of the other gems featured on the disc. “Dancing With Shadows” is a stone cold accomplishment, and it’s only the beginning for Joe Jr., who obviously has an ear for imaginative sights and sounds.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW INTERVIEW
February 4th, 2009

Where Are They Now - Joe Vitale Jr.
Where Are They Now? - OH - Music - 02/04/2009

Submitted By: Staff
Name: Joe Vitale Jr.

Band: I am a solo Artist

Instruments you play: Guitar, Drums, Singing/vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Bass

Hometown: Canton, Ohio

What kind of music do you play and what type do you like to listen to: I like to play a large variety of music be it Rock to Electronic. I like to listen to everything but I LOVE classic rock, Industrial, Blues and Latin.

When and why did music become important to you: Right around age 10 when my dad, Joe Vitale, the drummer, had me come out on stage with Crosby, Stills and Nash and I got to play tambourine on Teach your Children. It was such an electrifying experience hearing the crowd cheer and I knew that I wanted to go into music as my career. Up to that point I really wanted to be an astronaut, and I still follow the space program very closely, but music took over very quickly. When I was in high school I was given one of those really cool Tascam Porta Studio 8 track recorders. I started to write my own songs around age 14-15 and I never stopped! Music was always a way for me to express the way I was feeling…be it good or bad…I found that I had been given the gift from God. I wanted to use that gift to not only express myself but to try to write songs that people could gain something meaningful from for their lives, as well as have a fun escape from our crazy day to day lives and rock out.

Do you come from a musical family and if so what do they do: I do come from a musical family. My father is a famous drummer who has played with some of the top names in the industry including the Eagles, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh, Dan Fogelberg and many others. My dad’s side of the family were all musicians as well. My grandfather, grandmother, uncles, etc.

Tell us about your school experience, particularly middle and High School: School was always interesting for me. I love to learn. I went to Jackson Memorial Middle School and then Jackson High School. I joined the band in 6th grade and it was a struggle at first learning to read music and figure out what all those crazy circles and lines meant, but I stayed at it and eventually it was second nature to read it. I had a lot of friends through the band both in middle School and in high school… some of which I still talk to today, 11 years after high school. Band was always my favorite class. I was in the marching band in high school and was section leader of the drum section my senior year. Those were my favorite memories growing up. I’ve performed in my alumni marching band every year since I graduated and every time I’m standing under the goal post getting ready to go out on the field with the stadium crowd cheering, the smell of the damp grass and the weight of my snare hanging from my shoulder still sends massive chills down my spine. I love it. My friends and I always had cover bands throughout high school and tried to set up gigs at friends houses for parties and we also played at a couple dances. Hey, you have to start somewhere, right? All through high school I continued to write music and learn as much as I could. After high school I went to Mount Union College and continued to learn music there as a percussion performance major. I was in a fraternity in college, Sigma Nu. Several of my brothers were also in the music program which made for lots of fun and jam sessions at the frat house. After two years, I had an opportunity to go out on the road with The Stephen Stills Blues Band as a Latin percussionist and as difficult of a decision as it was, I dropped out of school to pursue my career. A few years later, I went to Malone College for a year for audio engineering.

Tell us about your first time performing for a live audience: I touched on this earlier but the very first time I was ever on stage was late August, 1987. I was brought out on stage at Blossom Music Center in NE Ohio with Crosby, Stills and Nash for a sold out crowd of 19,000 screaming people. I was 10 years old and only playing a tambourine, but I loved every second of it! It really changed my life that first time. I knew from right at that moment what I wanted to do the rest of my life.

Who is most influential in your music (other bands): The Who, Joe Walsh, Nine Inch Nails, Joe Vitale Sr. (my father) and Crosby Stills and Nash.

Where does the inspiration for your music come from: Like the saying goes “Write what you know”. I try to write about experiences that happen to me throughout my life. It is hard to make up song lyrics if you haven’t really gone through it. I mean it can be done but won’t have that edge that really talks to your audience. I will say though, I feel that God allows the events in my life, good or bad, to happen so that I can write the way I do. So, I would say that my inspiration comes from God in a major way. I have had to struggle with a lot over the years and while I always wish it could have been smooth sailing; my lyrics wouldn’t say anything of personal feelings or truth if everything had been great. My album has a lot of concept songs on it dealing with triumph over adversity. It is the central theme of the album. But I am also a romantic so I have a lot of relationship songs as well. I wanted something funny on it so I included my humorous breakup song, “It’s Not Me, It’s You” which is getting a lot of attention and everyone really seems to like it.

Have you been a member of other bands and if so tell us about those experiences: I have played in several cover bands here locally, both my own and others. At the moment I have been asked to play in a Crosby, Stills and Nash tribute band called “OHIO,” which is great because I know all the songs! I have also played for Joe Walsh, Crosby Stills and Nash, and The Stephen Stills Blues band. Every band I play with is a unique experience. I have really enjoyed all the groups I have played with and I have lots of very fun memories of life on the road.

What goals do you as an individual and a band have: I have worked my entire life to do what I do. I sacrificed a lot during my life, when a lot of my friends were out partying I was in my basement working. Not saying I didn’t want to be out having fun, but I just knew I had to work hard if I ever wanted to make it. I absolutely love what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Honestly, I want to take this as far as I can imagine and that God has in mind. As does any musician in this industry, I would love to have a song hit #1 on the Billboard Charts and I would love to be blessed to play in large arenas. Right now, that is just a dream and a prayer, but it is that dream that God has placed in my heart that drives me to be the best that I can possibly be. I am a perfectionist and I have always tried to perform to the best of my abilities and gifts. Sometimes you have good nights sometimes you have bad nights, but you always try to give the best performance of your life.

Tell us about a teacher who made a big difference in your life: Timothy DeStefano was my band director and very close friend all through high school and college. He taught me how to write music for and direct an orchestra, allowed me to perform a piece of mine with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra when I was a junior in High School, and brought me to Mount Union College. He and I still talk over email to this day. He was tough and expected the best from everyone who played for him and we wanted to be the best for him. He made you feel a sense of pride in your achievements, made you want to be the best, work harder, and strive for excellence. He is a very good Christian man and he has changed the lives of thousands of students over the years. When I was in high school the average size of the marching band was over 300 and grew to 348 the year I graduated. Take that number and realize that he had been doing this since the mid 1970s and you can imagine just how many students lives he has touched.

Did you play sports in school, if so what were they and what is your best memory from them: Every time I play sports I more and more realize why I am a musician. I tried tennis, baseball, basketball and swimming, but never joined a team once I got to high school. However, I do really enjoy playing golf. High scores are good, right?

What's going on with the band now:

New CD: I have my debut album out called “Dancing With Shadows” It is a 14 song album which I have been working on for 9 ½ years now. It is finally released and available.

Tour: I don’t have a set schedule for myself yet. However I am going out on the road with the Band “Ohio” this spring and summer and will be performing around the country.

Concerts: See above.

Studio: Always in the studio working on new songs for my second album as well as working on an industrial remix album of a couple songs from the first album.

Do you have CD's out now and if so what are they and where can people get them: I do. My debut album “Dancing with Shadows” can be bought through my website: www.joevitalejr.com. It is also available on CD Baby, Digstation.com, Amazon.com, iTunes, and Atlas Books. Retail stores coming soon.

Where can people go on-line to find out more about the band, your music, and how to book you for a show: Through my website, www.joevitalejr.com and MySpace and my record label.

Official Site: www.joevitalejr.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joevitalejrofficial

MySpace: www.myspace.com/joevitalejr

Record Label: www.variloudrecords.com

What are some of your interests outside of music: I love videography, photography, web design, graphics design, jet skiing, boating, hiking, fishing, camping, golf, amusement parks, traveling, seeing all my wonderful friends, video games.

Anything else you would like to add: My CD, “Dancing With Shadows,” was released with two other products…my Dad, Joe Vitale’s, CD, “Speaking In Drums” and his book, “Backstage Pass.”

40th Anniversary of Woodstock Concert with Joe Vitale Jr. playing drums with
Crosby Stills & Nash Tribute Band "OHIO" from Michael Standard
August 2009

As you know, "OHIO"  blew the crowd away last August at our "Woodstock Tribute Concert ". There were 12,000 people in attendance and your performance on Saturday was the hit of the weekend. No kidding. We just had to have you back for a solo performance.

I wish I had a better command of the language, because I find it difficult to express how  pleased we are with your February 6th  performance here at the Woodstock Opera House. The place was packed and the "buzz" afterwards was that "OHIO" was. . . awesome.

As you know, Artie Kornfeld producer of the original 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, was our guest of honor at your show. As Artie and I stood back stage, he told me that he thought you  guys might be even better than his friends in CSN&Y. That's a hell of a compliment from a man who's career spans over 45 years in the music business and  was the producer of "Woodstock", the most important music and cultural event in American in history.

Congratulations on two awesome performances.

Best personal regards,
Michael Stanard
One Zero Charlie Productions, Inc.

STEPHEN STILLS "MAN ALIVE" ALBUM RELEASE CANTON REPOSITORY
September 23rd, 2005

PRO AUDIO REVIEW  |  SONY SOUNDBYTE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2004
Summer 2004

Click images above for full stories from Pro Audio Review Sony Soundbyte Article on digital audio work & editing on Stephen Stills' album "Man Alive". 

REMIX MAGAZINE  LOOPS FOR ACID PRODUCT REVIEW "JUNKYARD RHYTHMS"
July 1st, 2002 - Original Article ► Click Here

The art of percussion mandates beating, bashing, crashing, shaking, striking, kicking and several other violent noise-associated verbs. Many times, the more primitive the approach, the more real and raw the emotion. With Junkyard Rhythms, Joe Vitale and his son, Joe Vitale Jr., explore their inner-drumming Neanderthals while rummaging through the rot in their local junkyard. The CD's documentation is minimal, but guessing where these sounds come from is half the fun. In terms of performance, the majority of the loops evoke a Latin flavor much in the vein of the Vitale family's well-received sample CD release Latin Percussion (also from Sonic Foundry). But this time, their modus operandi is to beat the clunk outta the junk — without any help from traditional bongos, congas and timbales.
Despite the junkyard theme, the infectious salsa moods, percolating dance rhythms and traditional Brazilian samba are fresh. Most of the samples were recorded dry with minimal effects processing except for a smattering of tasty compression and interesting room-style reverbs, which contribute to Junkyard's overall esoteric vibe. When diving into the more than 420 MB of Junkyard Rhythms' loops, you'll hear bells, buckets, bumpers, tubs, trash cans, pots, pans and more than a dumpster full of unrecognizable timbres that Vitale and son are probably still chuckling about.

Each loop is preconfigured to work with Sonic Foundry Acid Pro and other loop-friendly applications (Ableton Live, Cakewalk Sonar and so on). The collection is divided into three sections: Ensemble Grooves (221 MB), Individual Grooves (201 MB) and One-Shots (52 MB). Especially cool are the Junkyard Kits, which comprise all kinds of knickknacks, plastic shapes and metal scraps. These hybrid toys for experimental drummers may just be the missing percussive ingredients for those in search of a little dirty spice. And though you may think these guys played everything including the kitchen sink, there is no junkyard dog.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4
Sonic Foundry

STEPHEN STILLS BLUES BAND AT LOS ANGLES HOUSE OF BLUES
January 3rd, 1998

Stephen Stills celebrated his birthday to a packed house at the House Of Blues. The set list as I can remember it is as follows (not necessarily in order).
Love the One Your With
For What It's Worth
Change Partners
Helplessly Hoping
So Begins The Task
Long Time Gone
Born in Chicago
Born Under a Bad Sign
Carry On
Woodstock
49 Bye Byes

Two new songs:

One I think was named 'Back Home' (dedicated to Johnny Rivers in the audience). I didn't get the name of the other song, a blues number with Michael Finnegan dedicated to his daughter
Tree Top Flyer (electric)
Dark Star

The band members were Mike Finnegan, Joe Vitale, Joe Vitale, Jr., Gerald Johnson and second guitar player, didn't catch his name. Tall and lanky with glasses, and looked totally uninspired. John McEnroe came onstage to lead the audience in rousing "Happy Birthday to You".

I gotta tell you, I found the performance totally not satisfying and I'll tell you why. Please bear with my thoughts here. I love Stephen Stills, to begin with. He is a great artist, musician, songwriter and performer. I have been a dedicated fan ever since the first time I heard a Buffalo Springfield record.

I was particularly disappointed with the repetoire of this performance. I could see this playlist if it were a CSN concert or a Stills concert with a bigger venue, but with the House of Blues I expected something different. I saw Stills there three years ago and the set list was practically identical. I expected (or hoped for) a different type of performance in this venue both last night and three years ago.

I guess my issue is that Stills has a great body of work. He also has very impressive influences. I guess I would love to see him abandon the "greatest hits" formula and perform a combination of other great Stills compositions with some blues/rock covers from other artists. Standing there as everybody mouthed the words to For What It's Worth or Helplessly Hoping has just turned into the type of performances which are just too predictable.

There were two blond, 19 year old, bimbettes rocking away and begging for Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. My favorites songs were Born Under a Bad Sign and Born in Chicago along with the new material. The rest of the songs were just rehashes of performance I have heard already. Though Stills guitar work, as always, was stunning. The songs were just vehicles for some great licks.

I also understand that you don't get a packed house by boring the rank and file with non-hits. And not to compare, but except for a limited number of songs, Neil Young always surprises the audience with a different set list to keep the performances interesting.

I hope you all understand that it is not my intention to bash Stills. But I would love to finally see a performance which doesn't begin with Love the One Your With and end with Woodstock.

J. Starret

MORE REVIEWS COMING SOON

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