Today, "Young" Neal Vitullo and his band the Vipers have matured into seasoned musical performers. Vitullo, who has probably played in every bar-room between Boston and New York over the past years, has long been regarded as one of the New England’s best blues guitarists. The path traveled has not been without the usual road bumps of personnel changes and hard times, but through it all, Vitullo has grown stronger and continues to mature musically. With Howard (now of Dave Howard and the High Rollers) departing years ago, Neal has assumed lead vocal duties and has shined magnificently. He has also grown as a songwriter, as the band prepares for the release of their yet-untitled fifth recording effort; their third on King Snake Records.

Vitullo’s current trio has been together for just over six years, as bassist Hub O’Neil and drummer Billy "Bamm Bamm" Donahue have brought years of extensive musical experience to the band. They’ve also brought a sense of stability and continuity to the Vipers, who as a unit have seem to found a special formula that works. Although it is evident that Neal has the spotlight, it’s the power and precision of O’Neil and Donahue’s playing that hold it all together and drives the band’s music straight-ahead. Both musicians were seasoned veterans by the time the new Vipers formed, and as a trio, are up to the challenge of stepping up musically as individuals. O’Neil, a childhood friend of Vitullo’s, is clearly energetic enough to have no problem keeping up with Vitullo’s ferocious pace on stage (he also gives Neal a breather from time to time as a natural PR man on the mike between songs), while Donahue’s rock-influenced drumming adds a powerful rock and roll punch to the band’s blues-based music.

Then there’s Vitullo. If there ever was a local six-string hero that no guitar player would want to follow on stage, Neal Vitullo is that guitar player. A full-time musician for over 19 years, Neal was influenced early on from Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton, white blues musicians from England that often paid tribute to the blues greats before them. Upon researching the "influences of the influences", Vitullo dug into the recordings of McKinley Morganfield (better known as Muddy Waters), Willie Dixon, and Albert King, becoming a total student of the blues. He’s also had the opportunities to perform on stage with his mentors, a perk of the trade that he deeply appreciates. "I’ve played with a lot of people that were my influences," Vitullo explains. "I got to play with Roy Buchanan. I was Willie Dixon’s guitar player for a night..Johnny Copeland’s guitar player for a night. I was very fortunate to be able to do all those things at that time when it was really happening." His searing guitar licks, blazing technique, and gymnastic stage show are legendary amongst music fans in these parts. Those who have seen Neal perform live can attest that there aren’t many in his class that leave their soul out there on stage night after night. You can almost see the jaw of a first time Vipers viewer drop as they edge closer to the stage to catch a glimpse of the man making the Stratocaster jump, scream, and cry with every heart-felt note he plays.

Although the Vipers are clearly at their best in a live setting, they have continued to strengthen their recording resumes with each effort. 1991’s "Hooloovoo", which featured Howard handling the vocal work, was filled with guitar and harmonica driven riffs. That recording was followed by "I’m Finally Alone" in 1993, which included the addition of O’Neil handling bass duties and a second rhythm guitarist, Ted Stevens. Donahue replaced Michael Stamp on drums to record "Thirteen", the Vipers third recording and their debut on King Snake Records. This 1996 effort, filled with some of the band’s strongest material (check out "Radiates that Charm", which continues to be a part of the Vipers current set list), showed that the band has become more comfortable in the studio. "One’s Enough" followed in 1998 and further expanded the Vipers recording catalog of Texas blues, rockability, and in-your-face, guitar-driven blues/rock. The band’s set list (although no formal set list truly does exist), has grown with each additional recording effort, yet remains true to some of the best pure blues covers being played out there. From an exceptional fast-paced version of Eddie Cochran’s "Nervous Breakdown" to Hendrix’s "Fire" the way Jimi would probably be playing it if he were still with us today, the band’s personality rings true on every choice. "Treat Her Right" is always a crowd pleaser, while "Guitar King Shuffle", a longtime Vipers trademark, best exemplifies Vitullo’s guitar wizardry in one condensed song package and pays tribute to his six string idols Albert Collins, Aaron "T-Bone" Walker, and B.B. King. Wrap those three individuals together and add a healthy dose of Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, and Howlin’ Wolf, and you have the recipe for Neal’s soul and technique. The band also possesses the unique ability to take someone else’s song and make it sound like Vipers. The secret is in their approach. "If we do a cover, we don’t stay true to the original," Vitullo explains. "Even "Fire" is done like I feel that Hendrix would do it live; taking it out to the extreme. You can be a human jukebox or you can be a musician." The Vipers fit the musician mold as well as anyone. The band takes every cut and introduces a fresh musical twist mixed with a traditional blues feel. The new CD, expected out soon, should further strengthen the band’s recording skills. Vipers fans will like what they hear, with about 80% original music and a few covers, and with more hard-driving rock-orientated tracks this time around as compared to the band’s previous studio work.

Young Neal and the Vipers are professional full-time musicians that truly enjoy what they do. Each member of the band keeps busy when not playing music; Donahue is a personal fitness trainer (from the looks of Donahue and his fellow bandmates, I’d say the band probably rehearses in the gym quite often), O’Neil has been bitten by the golf bug (and is improving rapidly), while Vitullo has found fishing to be his second passion. Why has this lineup gelled so well? "We all get along and it’s not as volatile a situation as other times have been," explains Vitullo. "Everybody’s a good guy and nobody’s demanding all the time. There are no huge egos to attend to." With the current lineup intact, the band has expanded its musical horizons, traveling the world extensively while continuing to tour locally as well. These accomplishments are clearly the result of hard work; the Vipers are a band that brings their lunch pails to work every night. I remember attending one of their shows during a winter snowstorm, which had caused a lackluster audience turnout. Expecting nothing more than a rehearsal-like performance for the evening, the two-dozen or so followers were treated to one of the more intense shows that I have witnessed. While a lesser band may have packed it in early, the Vipers were intent of giving the fans their money’s worth and then some. When asked what motivates the band to step up night after night and give it their all, the trio’s response of "it’s the only way we know how to play" rang out in unison. O’Neil explained this philosophy best: "Neal said years ago that you can play 1,000 gigs, and they can all be good, but play one bad one and that’s the gig that people remember." As far as the competition with other bands is concerned, Neal summarized the Vipers outlook. "You just go out and do your best. We don’t spend time looking over our shoulder."

Young Neal and the Vipers have continued to improve their craft through a demanding tour schedule and seasoned musicianship. If blues-rock were a major commercial avenue to sell records, these guys would be stars. For now, we’ll have to settle for making the Vipers our local working class musical heroes. The band is proud and appreciative that they are able to make a living by playing music. For more information on Young Neal and the Vipers, check out www.bignoisenow.com. And do yourself a favor and get out and see this band when the opportunity arises. Snowstorm or not, rest assured that the Vipers will not disappoint.

YOUNG NEAL AND THE VIPERS DISC-OGRAPHY:

"Hooloovoo" 1991 BIG NOISE MUSIC

"I’m Finally Alone" 1993 BIG NOISE MUSIC

"Thirteen" 1996 KING SNAKE RECORDS

"One’s Enough" 1998 KING SNAKE RECORDS