The brainchild of lead guitarist Jona Dhe Paganon and drummer Marco Leclerc, Vice Versa's beginnings hearken back to high school jam sessions and local cover shows. Eventually joined by rhythm guitarist Joe D'Adamo, who approached both musicians at one of their shows, the trio opted to shed the "cover band" label, making a dedicated commitment to original song writing. Needing a vocalist to front the band, they posted several ads in local newspapers and websites ultimately paving the way for ...
The brainchild of lead guitarist Jona Dhe Paganon and drummer Marco Leclerc, Vice Versa's beginnings hearken back to high school jam sessions and local cover shows. Eventually joined by rhythm guitarist Joe D'Adamo, who approached both musicians at one of their shows, the trio opted to shed the "cover band" label, making a dedicated commitment to original song writing. Needing a vocalist to front the band, they posted several ads in local newspapers and websites ultimately paving the way for singer Philip Paolino to answer the call. While all four artists shared an unshakeable fondness for all things rock n' roll, it was their maturity and determination to explore new artistic avenues that fuelled the band's chemistry. With the addition of multi-instrumentalist Eric Maddalena on bass, himself a seasoned musician from prior local acts, the band was now poised to fine-tune their original sound. Wandering stylistically from funk to heavy metal, Vice Versa's musical hybridism remains rooted in their classic rock sensibilities. Of course, this stylistic mish-mashing is not surprising given the band's diverse approach to song writing. "We try to write music that could be appealing to a large scale audience", says Jona. "Fan bases with various musical backgrounds and taste can enjoy our songs and it's something we stress continuously." adds Marco. From hard-charging rhythms, sharp hooks and soaring vocals to gentle acoustic ballads, the members continue to inject new life in what would otherwise be overused genre clichés. Their willingness to grant each instrument the time and space it warrants has allowed them to balance commercially viable songs while retaining a definite musical complexity. "Why should one instrument get more attention than the next?" says Marco. The compositions embrace intricate vocal melodies with piercing guitar solos and are often accompanied by an array of backdrops from piano to violins. The band's genre bending antics are sure to turn more than a few heads. If it is true that success as a musician is in part rooted in a certain marketability and business savvy, then perhaps the band's entrepreneurial skill is a step in the right direction. Self-financing their own recording studio, the band records and produces all of their songs. Having had fortunate access to industry professionals, the group is increasingly become self-sufficient and self-promoting. "We don't expect success to come knocking on our door," says Jona. "We work extremely hard and we've opened the door wide open." Their charismatic showmanship has generated a steady word-of-mouth fan base and is no doubt reflected in the high energy of their live performances.
Philip Paolino - Lead Vocals
Jona DhePaganon - Lead Guitar/ Back Vocals
Joe D'Adamo - Rhythm Guitar
Marco Leclerc - Drums
Eric Maddalena - Bass / Back Vocals
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