Vistalite Drums

I got my first drum kit when I was about ten years old. It was an old Rogers five piece in red oyster chip with a cheap crash/ride and similar hi-hats. The thing was pretty rickety but thinking back, it was a cool kit (after all it had a Speed King pedal). My first Vistalite kit was purchased back in 1978 at World Of Music in Cupertino, Ca. Sort of a Pro Beat with a couple of concert toms thrown in. They couldn't wait to get rid of it. I didn't know what I had until twenty years later. The blue Big Beat was my next kit. Given to me by an old high school buddy. He didn't know what he gave up until twenty years later. The rest of the collection came along as the years went by. The Jelly, the Combo, the Jazzette, etc. etc. These drums don't just sit around and get looked at. I try to rotate them into the groove and of course, there is always a kit set up in the jam room. They also go over great at parties. Everybody wants to play the Vistalites, even the bass player.

Kenny V.

Here is a quick list of bands I've been in over the years. Minus a few helping hands and friendly jams of course.

1979-1982 "SINISTER BEND" A Rock band playing covers the likes of Blue Oyster Cult, Areosmith, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Free, etc. I was strictly the drummer for this group and used that old Rogers kit for the most part.

1982-1985 "THE JOEYS" This was an all originals band with a bit of a Devo feel to the tunes and a lot of comedy thrown in. We mainly did the college scene for about three years in California. I was mostly on guitar for the stint but we did a lot of instrument switching during the shows. The guys in this group were all acomplished musicians so we thought we would try something different. Dan, the front man was (and still is) a fantastic pianist so we put him on bass and vocals. Greg, an astounding guitarist, was put behind the drumkit. Bob, a vocalist, was on keys and me, being a drummer of course, was put on guitar. Good times indeed.

1985-1991 "KENNY V & THE CATASTROPHE" As the name implies, this was my band and we played a lot of differing styles of music including Santana, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull and even some Monkees as well as some originals. I was mainly the drummer but did a lot of bass and guitar work as well. We had help from a lot of musician friends for gigs as it was just the three of us.

1991-2007 "2-EZ" This was a five piece band with me on bass and keys, Tom Hirshon on drums with K.C. Lemon on vocals and various percussion. Darryl Podbreger and Mickey Crawford on guitar switching between lead and rhythm. The tunes were varied but mostly Rock 'N' Roll covers from the 60's, 70's and 80's with a few newer tunes thrown in here and there.

2007-PRESENT "KENNY V & THE CATASTROPHE" The old gang again and we're workin' on some more original stuff. I'm back on guitar but I'm getting a chance to throw in a bit of percussion here and about. Of course the Vistalites are seeing a lot of action at the jams as our drummer Brick Lair loves the Vistas. Sometimes we set up an extra Jazzette for me on the side for a cool drum-off between the two of us. Of course let us not forget The rest of the band. Skeeter Bhyte on guitar and Hillbilly Bear on bass and vocals.

My cymbal list:

Hi-Hat:
14" Paiste Sound Creations or Formula 602 top depending on the mood
Zildjian Quickbeat bottom (the one with the holes )

Ride:
20" UFIP Class Series
20" old Sabian

CRASH:
18" Zildjian Medium Thin
16" Zildjian Custom Dark
14" Paiste Fast Crash

Splash:
10" Sabian AAX
12" Wuhan

China:
20" UFIP Experience Series Tiger
12" Wuhan China Splash

My bass rig includes a Fender PJ and an acoustic electric (both fretless) with a David Eden head and an Ampeg 8-10 cab. I just got a fretted Rickenbacker but I keep fretting out :) Need some practice I guess.

Guitars are a plenty but I prefer my Les Paul Custom or #2 the Strat played through the Fender Twin

For keys I'm using an old Korg M1 (just because I like it)

My brother and me
Circa 1965 (I'm driving)