Tommy Vinton first hit the music scene when he joined up with three high school buddies and formed legendary indie ironic pop band TOO MUCH JOY.from there he became signed to a major label, toured the country many times over with such bands as The Violent Femmes, The Go Go's, Soul Asylum, etc.etc.did videos with such noteable artists as LL Cool J (which cracked the top 10 at MTV), Penn and Teller and Salt N' Peppa.Tommy also had the pleasure of getting sued by Bozo the Clown (true story!), infamously got arrested in Broward County, Florida for protesting censorship by playing rock versions of 2 Live Crew songs(well, the rest of the band did---Tommy didn't sing---although they were contemplating putting a warrant out for his arrest for mouthing the words!).Tommy also made numerous appearances on national TV, sometimes co-appearing with such artists as Cheap Trick, and along the way picking up fans such as Bobcat Goldthwait, Weird Al Yankovic, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Adam Sandler.
After TOO MUCH JOY went on a long hiatus, Tommy went on to record several albums with solo artist Marco Conelli, and also powerhouse rock band FAMOUS, again touring the country several times, doing videos, and doing the whole radio promo thing.
Tommy also got together with bassist/producer extraordinaire Bill Wittman and guitarist Jay Blumenfield from TMJ, and formed THE ITS, which resulted in a self titled EP filled with radio friendly songs. After this, Tommy teamed up with Too Much Joy original bassist Sandy Smallens and formed original post-pop combo SURFACE WOUND which currently has guitar extraordinaire Steve Hamilton at the helmthis again resulted in an EP filled with imaginative, hooky songs and beats, and a full length CD released in 2009/2010.
In between recording and touring with these bands, Tommy hit the studio to record with Cyndi Lauper. One song, "It's Hard To Be Me", made it's way on to her EP "Shine". Tommy also performed with Cyndi live at some arena shows.
Tommy soon joined up with pop/punk band Dirt Bike Annie, where he once again toured the country doing radio promotion, did several TV appearances and also did a music video.
Tommy is currently playing with Surface Wound and also Sweet As Ether, a heavy melodic band full of catchy hooks.
In his spare time (if there is any at all!) he plays with his friends locally in a cover band, THE LUCKY BASTARDS
CHECK OUT WEBSITES:
www.sweetasether.com
www.myspace.com/sweetasether
www.sayhername.com,
www.myspace.com/surfacewound,
www.myspace.com/theluckybastardsny,
www.myspace.com/theitsny,
www.myspace.com/2muchjoy
