A few weeks ago, I played Sponge’s “Plowed” on my radio show, and I mentioned that the song is 30 years old. I recently looked up when the record was released and realized it was August 2nd, 1994.
I was curious to know more about the album and to shine a spotlight on it, so I texted singer, Vinnie Dombrowski to ask him about Rotting Pinata.
Jason Anthony
Vinnie’s always taken time to say hello to me and my family. I’m grateful Jason Anthony got this candid shot.
“I never would’ve thought we’d discuss a Sponge album 30 years later. For a band to get signed, that’s one thing. But for a band to have the good fortune for the record they’re working on to get released, and on top of that promoted, and worked at radio, and radio embraces it, that’s a big deal, man!” Vinnie said that his previous band, Loudhouse, wasn’t so lucky. “We got dropped after the first record. The record never really got worked at all. So I know what that’s like from firsthand experience. So, for Sponge to have had a record released and promoted like it was and remembered 30 years later, that’s a big deal.”
Recording The Debut Sponge Album
Vinnie talked about making the album. “That record was pretty quick, man. We had already started recording on our own before the label was involved. I think we had the “Neenah Menasha” cut, the “Plowed” cut, and probably “Raining In My House,” so we were well on our way.” He quoted a popular phrase in the music business: “Some folks say you have your whole life to record your first record, but that record…nothing was written before, in the Loudhouse days or anything like that, everything on that record was brand new. We were bustin’ ass writing and recoding pretty quick too.”
Not Much Detroit Radio Love For Sponge At First
Vinnie talked about the feeling as the album grew in popularity. He said it was somewhat unbelievable. “I mean, you’re going to ask if this is happening?” He told Detroit Radio that he was a little late to the party. “Detroit radio was slightly slow to embrace it, and my gauge of success would’ve been, what’s going on in Detroit? What kind of heat are we getting in Detroit? From what I recall, we were getting played in places like L.A. and Cleveland before Detroit radio embraced us.” He said that even though they were getting love in other cities, he always had a feeling that if it wasn’t going to pop in the D, it might not be successful anywhere. When it started to get played in his hometown, he knew it was starting to happen.
Jason Anthony
Vinnie addressed the crowd at the parade in Warren over the weekend.
The record was made, and the radio was playing it. What was it like for the band then? ” A lot of clubs. Ya know, we always thought we’d be out there doing gargantuan tours right out of the box, but one of the first tours I can recall doing was with a band called Failure, but it was all clubs. All the way up to the point that we got out there playing with bands like Live, Candlebox, and Our Lady Peace, so we finally made our way to some pretty big tours. But a ton of clubs initially…a ton of them.”
Sponge's Vinnie Dombroski "The Epitome Of Detroit Cool!"
Over the weekend, I went to Warren for their birthday bash celebration. Sponge headlined the night, after Vinnie Dombroski served as the Grand Marshal in the parade. I’ve alway told anyone who would listen, that, in my opinion, Vinnie is one of my favorite people in the Detroit music scene. Hell, one of my favorite people in general.
My relationship with Vin goes back to the first Sponge album. The band came by the radio station I worked at in Buffalo, N.Y. to promote the album/band. We sort of just passed each other in the hallway. After my move to Detroit in 1995, I met him somewhere along the line and the rest is history. We’ve been friends ever since. He’s on my Christmas card list, and I always get one from him and his family.
He’s so talented and criminally underrated. He’s humble, giving, kind, cool, I could go on and on. I thought that I would write a whole story about the greatestness of the Sponge front man, but why not let some who know him best, and who’ve played with him, tell you instead.
How about we start with some high praise from Kid Rock himself. “Vinnie is the epitome of Detroit cool!” he texted me immediately when I asked him for a few words about Vin.
Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker guitarist, Jason Krause, seconded that thought. “To me, Vinnie is one of Detroit’s most talented and underrated musicians.”He went on to say that Vinnie is even a better person and that he “Loves him to death”.
Ted Nugent drummer, Jason Hartless, who’s played in Sponge, said “The Mount Rushmore of Detroit rock icons would be Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Mitch Ryder, Bob Seger and Vinnie Dombroski! Out of all the musicians I’ve had the pleasure of playing with in my career, Vin is in the top of that list as a performer and person.”
My 94.7 WCSX counterpart, “Screamin'” Scott added “I’ve known Vin a long time. People don’t realize what a great drummer he is. From bands like Spyder, Loudhouse, the Orbitsuns, and Crud, it’s hard to put Vin in any one music category. He’s not no doubt an all around talented musician.”
Owner of District 142 in Wyandotte, Julie Law said “Vinnie is one of the most down-to-earth, genuine, “rocker dudes” you’ll ever meet. (Rocker dude is how he refers to most rock musicians.). He finds the good in everyone and often shrugs off nonsense. He never takes anything for granted and wants to see others do good things. He loves live music, so much he’s in three bands and started a live music festival, Rockin’ the Shores, in his hometown to put spotlight on his community and developing musicians. He’s a family man that has learned how to balance touring and family time. The band will drive through the night on a Saturday vs getting a room, to get home to their families on Sunday morning. Nothing is below him, he’ll be the first to do the heavy lifting or try to fix something. Don’t tell his road manager, Mike Pigeon, I said that, he might do most the heavy lifting. If anyone has had the pleasure of meeting Vinnie, he’s the real deal.”
Yes, Julie….Vinnie IS the real deal.
Check out some pictures from Saturday’s event below.
-Meltdown-
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A Big thanks to my friend "Metal" Meg for some pictures from the Warren show Saturday night.
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Sponge rockin' Warren Saturday night.
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Vinnie Dombroski is one of the most underrated musicians in Detroit.
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More from Sponge's set at the Warren birthday bash.
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Vinnie addressing the crowd at the parade in Warren over the weekend.
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Vinnie knows how to get the kids on his side....with candy!
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Vinnie works a parade route like he works the stage! Although he should throw more candy out from the stage! LOL
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The epitome of Detroit cool!
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Vinnie Dombroski - he’s the real deal.
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Vinnie's always taken time to say hello to me and my family. Grateful Jason Anthony got this candid shot.
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Vinnie, you're the best!!
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
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