IndieRec interview with Frankie Vinci, March, 2005
By David DiSanzo
[email protected]

Frankie Vinci is a songwriter / multi-instrumentalist - vocalist - producer and arranger. He has had a successful career producing and writing for others, creating commercial jingles for top national advertisers, and on his own with the band Fotomaker. Fotomaker released three albums back in the heyday of the late 70's new wave power pop phenomenon. I had the pleasure to meet with Frankie recently and ask him a bit about his recent success as well as pick his brain about Fotomaker, a band that meant a lot to me during my formative years (and still do). Fotomaker had it all, the look, the songs, the talent, and a major label recording contract. The legendary Ahmet Ertegun signed the band to the Atlantic Records. Two members were ex-Rascals and one an ex-Raspberry. Although superstardom eluded them, every pop rock fan should know them and take notes.

www.frankievinci.com

IR: How was it that you came to join Fotomaker?

FV: That's a loaded question. I will try to make it short.... Dino Danelli & Gene Cornish ("THE RASCALS") were looking to start a Pop/Rock band . At that time I was in a Glam Rock band with my brother Johnny and Lex Marchesi called "VINCI MASQUERADE" (BOWIE meets KISS) . A mutual friend of ours (Mick Jones/ FOREIGNER) told us to give DINO a call.. As things worked out Johnny and I did get into this unnamed/ unsigned band soon to be called Fotomaker and then we introduced Dino & Gene to Lex. My Brother Johnny left shortly after that and before our deal. I stayed on as Keyboardist/ Lead Singer -- Johnny went on to get a deal with a band called "NETWORK" on CBS Records , Tommy Mattola managed the band and was a frequent guest at my parents house for pasta dinner. Great guy -- I wish i still knew him.

IR: Although the press centered around the Rascals and Raspberries connections, you and Lex were really the creative force behind the band, taking on songwriting duties and vocals. Did this ever bother you?

FV: No.....not that I remember. The press used to call us "THE RACAL-BERRIES" ( FUSED TOGETHER) I was 22 years old & I guess I was so thankful to be playing in a band that was signed to Atlantic Records and touring with legendary bands like AEROSMITH, ALICE COOPER, MEATLOAF, etc... and getting paid for it...the experience was priceless!!! I have many fond memories of the road and Rock Stars I got to meet, hangout and party with.

IR: I distinctly recall that the album art was supposed to tell a continuing story with each release. After the third and last album was issued I still didn't get it. Care to explain what those Grammy-winning covers were meant to depict?

FV: My take on it is this: 1ST cover : Young and beautiful preteen model. The metaphor being, we were new to the music scene and ready to take over the world. MICK ROCK- legendary rock photographer (STONES, LOU REED, QUEEN, etc..) Shot The Grammy nominee cover. 2ND COVER: Old jester with a tear hanging from his eye..I see that as an antithesis to the 1st cover--end of the road for this great actor that was young once and had the world at his feet and now reduced to wearing this joker costume. 3RD COVER: -- I have no clue how this relates. MAYBE DISCO MEETS ROCK. You'll have to ask DINO--since the all the covers were all his concept.

IR: Wounded Bird has issued the three albums on CD. Are these licensed from Atlantic and do you see any of the income from them?

FV: I hope so but it's to soon to tell if we will get anything . We are checking into it. With all the digital downloads all over the web there's got to be a check out there with our name on it.

IR: The first two albums featured some of the best produced power pop songs ever issued. Why do you think the records failed to make the impact that everyone assumed they would?

FV: I'm not sure but possible the lack of promotion in middle America, MTV & videos were not born yet, and the biggest problem was that we released the wrong 1st single, most of the label A&R; wanted to release "THE OTHER SIDE" it was a synth based POP/ROCK song that I wrote and sang lead on and it was ahead of it's time. The problem was it was the only song I sang on the 1st album. No identification to the bands sound... Radio played the crap out of the song and Atlantic then released it as the 2nd single but radio was cold on it by the time it was in the stores..

IR: How was the experience of working with Ahmet Ertegun and Atlantic Records? Do you feel they stood by you as a band?

FV: Yes.. He loved us..he didn't really work with us in the studio.. Ahmet's the president ,owner, founder of Atlantic. I sat with him a few times back then to discuss music and what I was about as a person and a musician/songwriter. I loved the movie "RAY" (RAY CHARLES) Ahmet was portrayed in the movie and I felt so proud to be an Atlantic recording artist , especially after seeing that great movie. Here a trivia tid bit- I played RAY'S Wurlitzer piano on the intro to "BABY I.." the song was not released at the time but is now on the RHINO release of FOTOMAKER as a bonus cut.

IR: Transfer Station showcased a funky synthesized disco-ish sound. Was this the result of record company pressure or was it a direction you want to pursue?

FV: NO-- PRESSURE FROM THE LABEL.. Other than I had to sing lead & write most the songs. Wally had quit the band and Lex was losing interest because of the band's new direction, So was I but I just went with the flow.. ROD STEWART'S big hit "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" was the model for our new sound on that last LP.

IR: I understand that in addition to writing songs for multi-platinum country and pop stars that you also have had a very successful career in jingle writing. How long have you been involved with this and about how many jingles have you had used?

FV: Yeah.... I had a hit with TIM McGRAW .It went triple platinum. As far as how many jingles i wrote , I can't give you a number on that but I wrote and sang on many TV HITS .... I had 20 years experience writing/singing/producing jingles.. (JELL-O ,BOUNTY, MOUNTAIN DEW, COKE, PEPSI, CHEVY, CBS SPORTS, McDONALDS, etc...) My biggest claim to fame : I wrote and arranged the CBS FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK THEME (1992 TO 2003) It aired on 5 Superbowls during that time.. I now have "Nashville Star" theme on the air and a few sports themes on the FOX SPORTS. If you go to my sight www.frankievinci.com you can hear some of the jingles as well as what I am doing now. Also there's a few photos of FOTOMAKER.

IR: What are some of your current projects?

FV: I am working as a Producer/Songwriter out of my studio in CT. I have a few Pop songs coming out in the Spring/Summer of 2005- A teen Power /Pop trio called "TAJA" and a Singer/Songwriter called "STELLY" both acts on the same new label "NFE RECORDS". I am always looking for new talent to work with. I love to develop young talent . I have over 50 songs in my recent catalog (2001 -05) and I am about to shop for publishing deal. The time is right for me now. I co-write and produce all styles of music Pop to R&B; & Country/ Pop etc... All hit songs and they are ready to pitch to the artist.. All I need now is a publisher that can be aggressive to get the songs heard.

IR: Do you still keep in touch with Lex or any other Fotomaker members?

FV: YES.. occasionally we get together - I saw Dino & Gene last summer in a club in NYC. Dino is managing a Singer /Songwriter.. I went to the showcase to give my support. Wally and I haven't spoke although I talk with his wife KAY via emails.

IR: With Bryson reforming the Raspberries recently is there any chance of a Fotomaker reunion? There might be more of an audience for such music today than there was in the late 70's.

FV: As a matter of fact while I was doing this interview I got a email from Wally's wife I was notified that. "THE RASPBERRIES" are going to be at a club on July 23rd & 24th, so the chance of all of us being in the same room is looking good. Maybe I will bring it up the reunion idea to them.

IR: Finally, what music does Frank Vinci listen to when he is at home relaxing?

FV: I like all kinds of music- young Singer/Songwriting - (John Maher /Elliott Smith) But then I will put on Justine TimberLake , Led Zep, or even Country. POP MUSIC IS WHERE MY HEART IS STILL...