By Danny Coleman
originally published: 10/20/2016
"Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Our age makes us very interesting, yet it also holds us back," says Vittorio; one half of the twin brothers better known as V2."Yeah, like when we were supposed to open for AC/DC and they decided to go in a different direction because they felt our age was a liability," added Vincenzo.
This duo from Santa Rosa, CA has not only broken through the age barrier but have shattered any glass ceilings beyond it. Having charted on "National Rock Charts" and "Billboard," along with a special on the "Palladia Network;" these now 13 year old prodigies have done more in less than two decades than most achieve in a lifetime. Having already shared a stage with or opened for Quiet Riot, Blue Oyster Cult, The Babys and Puddle Of Mud among others; these young men have remained driven, focused and manage to juggle school and their rock 'n' roll alter egos superbly. "We're good students; we have to be," they said in unison. "We love school, we do our homework and balance our music schedule; school has always come first in our family."
Learning to play their instruments at a young age; guitarist/vocalist Vittorio and drummer/vocalist Vincenzo caught on quickly and through the influence of their parents started down their rock 'n' roll path. "We started playing when we were eight. Our mom plays guitar and sings, so we were influenced by her and my dad loves music too. A couple weeks after we started playing, we heard "Back In Black" by AC/DC and we were sure this was what we wanted to do; be musicians." "AC/DC are my favorite," says Vincenzo and "I'm more of a Led Zeppelin fan," adds Vittorio; "Being a guitar player, Jimmy Page is why I love them."
As the buzz about the two began to grow; so did their popularity. An invite to perform at the "Los Angeles Music Awards" turned out to be more than a performance in front of some of California's music elite; they also took home seven awards. One of those in attendance was producer Ron Nevison who was so impressed by their ability and age that he signed on to produce their latest CD; "V2: The Beginning." Nevison, whose past track record includes working with Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bad Co., Heart and Kiss; eagerly took the boys under his wing and says that this disc is, "One of the best he's ever produced."
"V2: The Beginning," is part compilation, re-release and new material. "Ron Nevison came to one of our shows and offered to produce us," explained Vittorio. "We have three full length CDs; one has 16 tracks and the other has 12 and this CD is the best of the first two with some new twists.." "We did it this way on purpose," continued Vincenzo. "We wanted people to listen to it so that they'd basically find out what we're about."
The twosome claims that audiences are mostly receptive but sometimes they must be won over as well. "Sometimes the crowds are like, well, not too sure about the whole kid idea," stated a seemingly understanding Vittorio. "Then we go out and play and afterwards they come up to us and they're like, "Wow, you guys are really great;" So that is always good."
These young rockers, who have opened for some of music's biggest names, when pressed about a favorite memory; count one of their earliest gigs among the best. "We think that a school talent show is probably our favorite," they said concurrently. "There was no winner but we got to play in front of the whole school and it was really cool. People didn't realize that we could do what we do, many of them were surprised and we got a lot of good compliments and that encouraged us. That was also the first time that we'd ever played in front of an audience together."
So what does the future hold for these aspiring talents? "Well, we will keep writing songs; when it comes to that we are pretty equal. We'll keep listening to music, going through everyday life and school, playing and hoping others will enjoy it, make more albums, having fun and hopefully a tour; we love what we're doing."
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant & Bar146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri. 9 p.m. Take Five
Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. After Dark
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Joshua Adair (Video Release) Elissa Janelle Velveteen, Ray Strife, The Sulls, Scene Points, Joe Billy.All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Ethereal Tyrant, Subterfuge, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 5 p.m. Thrashole, Depraved Indifference, (TBA). All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermentors Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Claira Daly Barritone Sax Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
Sat. 9 p.m. Tanglewood
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Paul Donavan
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) Brian Bortnick
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Cara Cartney
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (4 p.m.) Mike Ghantt
Wed. 8 p.m. Jayded John
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Sun. 12 p.m. "Bikers and Babes for Bob" an all day benefit.
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Bliss
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Progressive Rocks, Carpe Nota
Fri. 8 p.m. "A Tribute To Santana" w/ Milagro. Doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sat. 8:30 p.m. 52 Pickup. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 8 p.m. Brand X. Doors at 6 p.m., $35
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends Local and Original Music Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Ben Gillece
Fri. 6 p.m. (Closed for a Private Event)
Sat. 6 p.m. The Lifters
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Bill Henry Trio
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sun. 2 p.m. Keith Franklin & Scot Hornick
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9 p.m. Slo Motion
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publik House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Live Music on the Paddy-O" (TBA)
Sat. 10 p.m. "Saturday Night Dance Party" with Jimmy
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "2016 Laurita Idol" Singing Showcase Tryout: "Senior Idol"
Fri. 7 p.m. "Awesome 80's Dance Party"
Sat. 11 a.m. "Laurita Fall Fire Pits & Food Trucks Festival" feat. (11 a.m.) Mr. Lucky (2 p.m.) 80's Undercover (6 p.m.) The Tone Rangers
Sun. 11 a.m. "Laurita Fall Fire Pits & Food Trucks Festival" feat. (11 a.m.) Kindred Spirit (1:30 p.m.) Pennington Station (5 p.m.) Take Five
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. great scott
Sat. 9 p.m. "College House / Hip-Hop Party" feat. DJ RV & MC Slim
Sun. 2 p.m. "Ladoes Who Rock For A Cause" feat. Nicki Sbaffoni, Lisa Jones & The Archangels, Shayna Ryan, Honey Spot Blvd. $18 (advance)
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Thurs. 8 p.m. Rap and Destroy, School Drugs, Daniel Joseph, Wrist
Fri. 9 p.m. Human Host, Liz Cisco, Logan Carpenter, Chuck White
Sat. 9 p.m. The Barron Marys, MakeWar, The Decline, Nervous Triggers
Mon. 9 p.m. Fond Han, Chung Antique, Pet Jail
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Nottingham Volunteer Fire Company200 Mercer Street Hamilton
Sat. 7 p.m. "The Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation 16th Annual Casino Night." $65/$100
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 8:30 p.m. The Springfielders
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 8 p.m. "Benefit For Bordentown City Cats Organization" feat. Jenny & The Felines. $5
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Bob E. Luv. Ages 21+ (2 IDs required), $15 ($5 w/ valid college ID)
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet, $10 (8:30 p.m.) The Verdict Caribbean Party
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. SiriOm Singh & G Taylor
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Catrina Faith Orsi / Andrew W. Monath. $20
Sat. 7 p.m. "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way from the Election" w/ Ron O'Reilly (comedy), $20
Sun. 3 p.m. The Hazelrigg Brothers Jazz Trio. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Black Brant
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Round Trip
Sat. 9 p.m. Vince Sasso Band
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. The Ruckus
Sat. 10 p.m. Diablo Sandwich Band
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Ned and the Groundhogs
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Money Shots
Sat. 9 p.m. DeB & The Sons of RoCK
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Black Brant
Sat 9 p.m. Sutor Twins & Andy Cleveland
Tues. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" feat. Rick Winow. Hosted by Danny Coleman (9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Challenge Accepted. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Tigerman. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
