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Formed out of the ashes of Detroit band Loudhouse – as heard on the Point Break soundtrack – Sponge first hit it big with 1994’s Rotting Piñata. The album yielded two major rock radio hits with “Plowed” and “Molly (16 Candles Down The Drain)”; third single “Rainin’” also charted as a single. The follow-up full-length, 1996’s Wax Ecstatic, delivered two more MTV staples: “Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)” and “Have You Seen Mary.” Prior to the release of the group’s third major label effort, 1999’s New Pop Sunday, Sponge’s music was also featured in a batch of high-profile movies, including Mallrats, Empire Records, Chasing Amy, and The Craft.
In advance of Sponge’s upcoming New York area shows – Apr. 22 at Long Island’s Revolution Bar & Music Hall and Apr. 24 at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory –frontman Vinnie Dombroski spoke to Downtown. As Vinnie mentioned within our Q&A, over two decades since the quintet’s initial success, Sponge has never stopped touring or recording. Its latest studio album was 2013’s Stop The Bleeding, as featuring the strong single “Destroy The Boy.”
Beyond Sponge, Vinnie has been a prolific artist over the years, making music with The Orbitsuns, Crud, Plain Vu, and Maypops. He was also part of the short-lived supergroup Spys4Darwin, playing alongside members of Alice In Chains and Queensryche. He also has a company called Songs, in which he is available as a co-writer and/or hired consultant for other people’s music.
For more on Vinnie and Sponge – which also includes guitarists Kyle Needy and Andy Patalan, bassist Tim Patalan and drummer Billy Adams – click on over here.
I remember when Sponge had started releasing music through Idol Records in the early 2000s, and how it seemed like the band had gone “indie.” Was that a conscious decision for the band to go DIY?
Vinnie Dombroski: We were back to recording and owning our masters. It seemed like it made sense at the time to partner up with an indie that would promote the album and at the same time we still retained ownership.
Is there anything you miss about being on a major label?
V: The folks at the labels! We met some really great folks along the way we don’t see much of anymore. Since those labels cut back on staff significantly or don’t exist anymore, those folks have moved on.
The last time I saw Sponge live was as part of the Summerland Tour, alongside Filter, Live and Everclear. Do you enjoy doing package tours, as opposed to headlining sets?
V: Doesn’t make much difference to me. When we hit that stage, no one can make it happen for us other than us. Although we’ve made some pretty cool friends along the way doing package tours.
Where was your first gig in New York City?
V: Maybe a place called Wetlands, or The Bank.
For some artists, New York City is one of their favorite places to play. For other artists, it’s known to be a less lively and more chatty crowd. Is a New York show particularly different for you these days?
V: It was a bit intimidating early on. Stepping on a stage like CBGB and thinking to myself, “Hey asshole, do you know who was standing in the spot you’re standing in? And now and you’re getting ready to sing?” Heavy stuff.
I see you’re playing The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on April 22nd and Long Island on April 24th. How do you usually like to spend off-days on tour?
V: We never have too much time off. If we do have a day to hang out, it’s going to the laundromat. Grabbing drinks and dinner then playing poker. [Editor’s Note: A Philadelphia gig was filled into the band’s tour routing after this interview occurred.]
During a hiatus with Sponge, you recorded with members of Alice In Chains and Queensryche in Spys4Darwin. Is there any chance that some of the unreleased material from those sessions may see the light of day?
V: We recorded an EP. I would like to finish out a full album.
I’ve heard that you play in other bands besides Sponge, like The Orbitsuns. Do you view Sponge as your “day job,” or are all of these projects important to you for different reasons?
V: I’ve always written tons of songs. Songs that didn’t necessarily fit with Sponge. So that is the basis for all the other side projects.
Is there a professional accomplishment of yours that you’re most proud of?
V: We’ve shared the stage with some pretty heavy hitters over the years.
I’ve heard you compare staying with Sponge all these years later being like the story arc of the movie The Wrestler. When you encounter other musicians who’ve been in a band 20 or so years, do you feel an instant kinship with them?
V: Not sure about that kind of connection, however when [Scott] Weiland passed on, I was bothered/troubled by that for some time. I just assumed he would be around for a long time, fuckin’ up like we all do, but still somehow making it up on that stage and playing the fuckin music.
These days, is there a musician who you think is doing it especially right when it comes to being DIY and having great music?
V: We’ve all been DIY’ing these days, for the most part. Although it should be DIWRL: doing it without record labels. Or better yet, DIDWTF: doing it directly with the fans. Go to Pledgemusic.com, there’s all the DIY right there.
Is there a new album in the works from Sponge? Or plans for more singles?
V: Yep, getting started on something now.
Is there something you wish more people knew about Vinnie or Sponge? Or do you prefer to let the music do the talking?
V: That the band has been playing shows and making albums, long after the major label releases. We never stopped.
What keeps you based in Michigan all these years later?
V: Family and the great state of Michigan
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
V: Hanging out with the family and friends.
Finally, Vinnie, any last words for the kids?
V: Words for the kids? SURE! Work hard, do good things, dream big, the future belongs to the brave!
-by Darren Paltrowitz