Vintageinterview by Nick Stephenson
Years from now, when Vintage is rich and famous, the band will be thanking guitarist Steve Shelley for not giving up.

The Hopkins-based rockers formed three years ago while vocalist John Lee was recording a separate project at his home studio (more on that later). Shelley was trying to lay down some guitar tracks, and Lee told Recoil he remembers getting frustrated at his incompetence. Fortunately, Shelley didn't give up.

"He came back a year later, and was, like, 'I've been practicing, let me help you out,'" Lee told Recoil as he began laughing. "He came out there and just blew me out of the water."

Lee grabbed his keyboard and added some rhythm and lyrics to what Shelley had written, and the two quickly drummed up a bassist, drummer and second guitarist. Their first EP was released before the band had made a significant dent in the local music scene.

It's easy to get a feel for what the band might offer during their show at The Rocker in Grand Rapids on Feb. 17 by reading over their influences, but one would probably miss the grit of their set list. Like many Grand Rapids rock bands, Metallica, Linkin Park and Rage Against the Machine inspire the fivesome, but they also add country and rap artists to their list.

"My first two albums were Masters of Puppets from Metallica and Kris Kross' Totally Krossed Out," Lee said. This isn't surprising, because before fronting Vintage, Lee dabbled in the local rap scene, eventually finding out there isn't much of a scene or support for a scene from local club owners. So Lee combines rock and rap lyrics over the Vintage music, and injects life into the live show by running all over the stage.

"We did a show of couple a few weeks ago for New Year's Eve, we started doing a cover of 'Without Me' by Eminem," he said. "I look around, I'm the only person on the stage except for the drummer and I'm, like, 'Where the hell is the band at?'" Lee was the only one left running on stage because the other four had wandered into the crowd, onto the bar, and everywhere in between.

Fans of Vintage love that the music isn't entirely heavy metal, while critics may slam the band for the same reason. A song like "Empathy" from the Efxor album that will be released on Feb. 17, is thoughtful, and much more than just five guys playing as fast as they can. In addition to "Blue Eyes," "Empathy" can be heard on the band's website at www.myspace.com/grvintage. Lee said it was a good example of what the other 15 tracks will be about also.

"I like the grandeur of it. I don't want a song that's going to, from start to finish, go [mocks the sound of machine gun guitar]; you hear that all the time. In Grand Rapids, you hear a lot of bands, and they're good bands, it's just sometimes you want to hear it switched up a little bit."

Efxor was recorded in a converted high school mobile classroom on Lee's parents' property. It was donated to the band when the new Hopkins High School opened, and for a $1,200 moving fee, plus some soundproofing, Lee got a full studio. When it's time for the band to write new music, they just walk into the room and create. Lee adds his lyrics after the music is written.

"We have this eclectic feel for everything that we do, and vocally I kind of meld and feel what I hear in the music, and make the lyrics and the melodies whatever I'm feeling."

Visit the band's web page for a complete list of February tour dates, and to sample the trailer for the "Empathy" video. The entire video is available at The Rocker CD release show, and if the trailer is any indication, it's very well produced by any standard.

February 2007

On my night off from the Paper last night I was pleasantly surprised at my normal Monday night drinking establishment. By something i'll introduce as "Vintage" entertainment. Call me a loser if you like but The Eastbrook Lanes Bar Usually is not very crowded very personable and has great company, and I like that about it. Normally I'm Squashed in a tiny bar with hundreds of people listening to some two bit rock band that decided just last week they would channel their hormone drivin' selves to become the next big rock sensation. But not last night. I was at MY bar. Expecting not to have to worry about writing a bad review and getting hate calls from another band. It was my night to go where the music is only playing if i'm dropping coins in the jukebox.
Suddenly, as I'm watching the MNF game (Eagles vs. Minnesotta) I hear these vocals screech througout the bar in a hefty baritone voice, "S-a-l-v-a-t-i-o-n". Unlike I thought, I was thrust by my own intrigue to find out what was happening on the other side of the bar. As i walked over to this hidden portion of My Own Bar, I hear and see this band starting this show. Also, might I add, there was more energy in the first 30 seconds than in most of the hour and a half sets I've seen. Quite naturally I sat to see what else this enigmatic band would do. Like I SAID,"Pleasantly SURPRISED" This Band I had never heard of was bringing me back to my first concert by Metallica (Ride The Lighting Tour) May of '81. I was blown away by for one the musicianship. Not often now days that you see a band that is in it for the music. And 2 just their energy and show was amazing for such a small venue. The name of this band "Vintage" how fitting a classic feel with a new sound. I recomend everyone checking this band out..." (FOR MORE OF THE REVIEW VISIT WWW.GRANDRAPIDSPRESS.COM)