Tom Vella and the Wayside

Artist Information

Biography

Wayside News
Spring/Summer 2010

On January 16th, 2010, Tom Vella and the Wayside performed at the 10th annual “Light of Day” benefit concert supporting Parkinson’s disease in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The star-studded benefit featured performances by Bruce Springsteen, Ed Kowalczyk (of the band Live), Jessie Malin and Willie Nile, just to name a few. “It was a surreal experience” Vella said, “Some of the best musicians in world, coming together to perform for a good cause…it was an honor to be a part of it all.”

It was after that legendary concert that Tom Vella and the Wayside decided to make a serious decision. During a recent radio interview Vella was quoted as saying, “We needed to take a few steps back from the spotlight and seriously hunker down and start writing new material for a new record as well as for our live performances. We have been riding the success of our first album, “Halos & Pitchforks” for a year and a half now, and it is now time to show the public how we have grown as a band and what else we have in our creative pockets.”

So that is where the Wayside stands as of now, hiding out somewhere in New Jersey, writing what is to become their second album. “We have venues calling us from all over the north east asking us to play…but we have respectfully declined them all. Our second album is priority number one, and we all know how easily bands can become distracted. Many people have told me that my theory and/or method on this is backwards, but those people have not heard our new material yet…once they have I think they will understand.”

The Wayside will begin recording their new album entitled “More than A Little, Less than Enough” in the fall of 2010.



NOTEWORTHY CREDITS:

Since April 2008, Tom Vella and the Wayside has been noticed by the media:

• Added to the 2010 Gotham Records Music Placemant clientele list
• Selected to play THE GAP’s 50th Anniversary promotion at it’s “flagship” store Times Square, NYC 2010
• Song “Better than Good” featured in multi-award winning feature film “Laid Off” (2010)
• Sponsored by Heineken Canada (2009)
• Winners of the 2009 "G-Rock Rising All-Stars" Contest, collecting nearly 60% of all votes cast
• WDHA 105.5 (NJ) "Homegrown Spotlight" featured artist
• SONICBIDS "Band Spotlight" featured Artist 12/08
• "2008 Independent Music World Series" semi-finalists
• G-Rock 106.3 (NJ) "G Rock Rising" featured artist
• Song featured on the "M.A.P. Music Compilation CD" (Musicians Against Parkinsons)**(International)
• "2009 SHURE Microphones National Band Search" semi-finalists
• "Type3Media.com" Artist Spotlight
• Featured by The New York Post, The Aquarian, Three Monkeys Online and multiple local news publications (**Please visit our "Press" section to find out more!**)

Since its inception, the band has been fortunate to grace the stage with many national acts such as:
• Dickey Betts
• Tim Reynolds
• Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad
• The Verve Pipe
• Gavin DeGraw
• O.A.R.
• Richie Havens
• Everclear
• Kip Winger
• Bob Marley's Legendary Wailers
• Jessie Malin
• Rusted Root
• The Alternate Routes
• Jeffrey Gaines
• Cracker
• The Lost Trailers
• Amfibian
• Black Sheep (...we are not kidding)
• Jenny Owen Youngs
• The Smithereens
• Val Emmich
• Dispatch
• Kaki King
• John Rzeznik (of the Goo Goo Dolls)
• Willie Nile


On stages such as (just to name a few):
• The Bitter End (NYC)
• The Paramount Theater (NJ)
• The Trocadero Theater (Philadelphia)
• The Lion's Den/Sullivan Hall (NYC)
• Kenny's Castaways (NYC)
• Sin-E (NYC)
• CBGB's 313 Gallery (NYC)
• Mexicali Live (NJ)
• The Stone Pony (NJ)
• Maxwell's (NJ)
• The Crossroads (NJ)
• The Whiskey Bar (NJ)
• The Wonder Bar (NJ)

And festivals including:
• Union County MusicFest '08 (NJ)
• Seaside Music Festival 2008, 2009 (NJ)
• The Black River Music and Arts Festival '08 (NJ)
• M.E.A.N.Y. Fest 2008 (NYC)

The band supports and performs for several benefits and/or charity events:
• "Light Of Day" 2008, 2009, 2010 Concert Series (Parkinsons) (NJ)
• 2008, 2009, 2010 Parkinson's Unity Walk (NYC)
• Breast Cancer Awareness (NJ)
• Soldiers Across The Pond (NJ)
• Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Jersey (NJ)
• Noah's Arc Animal Welfare Society (NJ)

-----------------------------------------

BIOGRAPHY:

In an industry where being a successful original band has almost become as realistic as the Easter Bunny and being "tax free,” Tom Vella and the Wayside is bringing a fresh new sound to the collective. Originally formed by singer-songwriter Tom Vella as the Buster Cox band in 2005, the group has seen its share of personnel changes over the past few years. Regardless, the band has relentlessly remained an undeniable force in the New York/New Jersey independent music scene. Under its new moniker, the band has grown by leaps and bounds towards a larger, more diverse audience. While the sound is most readily classified as acoustic rock, the newest TVW offerings include the flavors of funk, soul, folk, jazz, and the jam band scene.

In their most recent push towards the top, the band consists of Tom Vella, the principle writer of the TVW catalog, on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Rick Krueger on lead guitar, lap steel, Weissenborn, and background vocals, Steve Milone on drums, Erik Brescher on bass guitar, and Billy Carrion, Jr. on baritone saxophone, flute, and percussion.

Even though the band has its roots planted in the soil of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, TVW has performed as far south as Charlotte, NC and as far north as Boston, MA. For 2008, Tom Vella and the Wayside is preparing to make their move on the industry. "Halos & Pitchforks", 2008's anxiously awaited follow-up to the 2005 Buster Cox Band EP, and first full-length offering, is built on songs that TVW fans, affectionately known as the "Campers" of "Camp Wayside," have been singing along to for the past couple of years. Newly written songs accompany the fan favorites on the album, as well as at every live performance. Whether played live or recorded, each and every song speaks of real life in the most honest way possible.

Since the album was released in April of 2008 the band has garnered critical acclaim. They have had numerous publications, industry representatives and multimedia houses singing their praises (for direct quotes please visit the "PRESS" section listed above). But in all seriousness, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Keep your eye on Tom Vella and the Wayside; they're ready for bigger things, and will do whatever it takes to make them happen.

As for 2010, the band will begin recording their second release, an album entitled “More than A Little, Less than Enough”. Much like “Halos & Pitchforks”, Vella has compiled songs that appeal to both himself and the general public. Vella was quoted as saying, “In with the old and in with the new! It keeps everybody happy!” In addition to the current writing and recording process, the band will be performing regional “Tri-State Area” shows as well as several seasonal festivals…please stay tuned, there is so, so much more to come.

Instrumentation

Tom Vella - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Rick Krueger - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Steve "The Dream" Milone - Drums, Percussion
Erik Brescher - Bass
Billy Carrion Jr. - Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Percussion

****PLEASE NOTE: We are also rehearsed and ready to do acoustic versions for our set, and will do so at the venue's request****

Discography

Halos & Pitchforks (2008)*
Buster Cox Band EP (2005)

*This is the only recording featuring the current lineup.

Official Website

http://www.thewaysideband.com

Links

• Tom Vella and the Wayside Official Website
• MySpace

Audio

• October Skies
  Listen   Download
• In The Sunlight
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• Better Than Good
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• Sweet Time
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• Look Left
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• Behind Locked Doors
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• The One
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• Can't Live Here Anymore
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• Little Boy Lost
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• Far Away From Me
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• Halos & Pitchforks
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• In The Sunlight
• October Skies
• Better than Good
• Sweet Time
• Look Left
• The One
• Behind Locked Doors
• Can't Live Here Anymore
• Little Boy Lost
• Far Away From Me
• Halos & Pitchforks

Video

TVW covers "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash

Photo Gallery

Press

• President/CEO of Gotham Records - April 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  After signing Tom Vella and the Wayside to a non-exclusive music placement contract, the President a...After signing Tom Vella and the Wayside to a non-exclusive music placement contract, the President and CEO of Gotham Records had this to say of the band’s future success,
  
  "Having run a record label for over 16 years, one of my biggest complaints is how 'rushed' artists' material often sounds.
  Tom Vella and The Wayside's “Halos & Pitchforks” is the total antithesis...Not only are the songs upbeat, varied and positive,
  but their compositions are elaborate and extremely well planned. Ah! ...What a relief!"
  
  Patrick Arn
  President and CEO
  Gotham Records
  

• New York Post - May 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  "Upbeat and encouraging, the Northern New Jersey band's first full-length disc, "Halos & Pitchforks,..."Upbeat and encouraging, the Northern New Jersey band's first full-length disc, "Halos & Pitchforks," inspires listeners to cheerfully hoist their beers aloft and sing along with the band."
  
  Maxine Shen
  New York Post
  May 2008

• Movie Producer "Laid Off" 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  ""Better than Good" by Tom Vella and the Wayside is probably favorite song off the entire soundtrack...""Better than Good" by Tom Vella and the Wayside is probably favorite song off the entire soundtrack..."

• 106.3 GROCK Radio - October 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  “I challenge you to sit still while listening to Tom Vella and the Wayside. I almost believe it can...“I challenge you to sit still while listening to Tom Vella and the Wayside. I almost believe it can’t be done. The band deftly uses a lush array of instruments to blend sparkling melodies and heartfelt lyrics. The end result: a positive vibe that radiates with each note...”
  
  Erin Vogt – GROCK Radio Personality - 106.3FM/106.5FM
  October 6, 2008

• Westfield Leader - May 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  "Halos and Pitchforks" manages to combine the earnestness of Matchbox Twenty and the freewheeling jo..."Halos and Pitchforks" manages to combine the earnestness of Matchbox Twenty and the freewheeling joy of the early Dave Matthews Band. Anyone who loves upbeat songs, clever lyrics, and a band that is as musically primed as a V-8 engine needs to buy this album. And then listen to it until your I-Pod screams "Enough!"
  
  Eric Nierstedt
  Westfield Leader
  May 2008

• Type3Media - Artist Spotlight - June 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  "As soon as I heard Tom Vella and the Wayside I was hooked. The catchy acoustic rock songs are quite..."As soon as I heard Tom Vella and the Wayside I was hooked. The catchy acoustic rock songs are quite sharp and reminiscent of early Dave Matthews Band or Jack Johnson and the like. Vella's vocals are outstanding and the rest of the band members are a great compliment to the sound.
  
  Their latest release Halos & Pitchforks was released on April 17th. The song quality and production of the album is far above a typical independent release. Be sure to pick this one up."
  

• Three Monkeys Online - July 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  "The best thing about Tom Vella and the Wayside's more-than-a-little-impressive album "Halos and Pit..."The best thing about Tom Vella and the Wayside's more-than-a-little-impressive album "Halos and Pitchforks" is that it has all the musical reach and range of a group like the Dave Matthews Band, without the inevitable showing off that dexterity usually brings."...
  
  "With such a strong debut, hopefully Tom Vella and the Wayside will be around for some time to come, to grow naturally into a position where they naturally fit alongside their influences in the pantheon of great American songsmiths."
  
  For full article please visit: www.threemonkeysonline.com/reviews/halos_pitchforks_tom_vella_wayside_band.html
  
  

• The Aquarian Weekly - January 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  "Laid back acoustic rock may not seem to have much of a place in the hustle and bustle of NYC's glit..."Laid back acoustic rock may not seem to have much of a place in the hustle and bustle of NYC's glitzy nightlife, but Tom Vella and the Wayside may change that...
  
  Their sound is reminiscent of Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler and other pan-American blues revivalists who seem to have all perished from the Y2K virus. VELLA, however, has diversified, splashing flavors of jazz and funk that keep the band firmly rooted in modernity...
  
  Never fear; the band seems to be doing pretty well without the help of experiance or major lable credibility. In their short existiance the have built a pretty enviable resume, wee stocked with music festivals, spots on radio, and gigs at strange and diverse locations, including one along side the Legendary Wailers (of Bob Marley fame)..."

• The Outlook (Monmouth University) - April 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  "...as the band began to play many on lookers began to move closer. The Wayside was mesmerizing. The..."...as the band began to play many on lookers began to move closer. The Wayside was mesmerizing. Their voices brought you in, the instumentation and rhythms kept you there...it was something I have never seen before."

Setlist

Our typical set is between 0:45 and 1:15 long. We do primarily original songs, but mix in the right covers.

SONGS INCLUDED IN TYPICAL SET:
October Skies
In The Sunlight
Can't Live Here Anymore
Behind Locked Doors
Better Than Good
Sweet Time
Look Left
Halos & Pitchforks
Demons
Disclaimer
Sweaty Booty
Work You Slow
Folsom Prison Blues (J. Cash)
The Letter (J. Cocker)

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

TVW Stage Plot

Calendar