Vicious Rumors Family Tree
Metal Family Tree
This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.
We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.
Although the Bay Area is known for it’s thrash metal scene, Vicious Rumors were heavy metal. They are often considered part of The USPM scene. Guitarist Geoff Thorp has been the heart of the band since the beginning and drummer has been on ever album with the exception of one. The classic line up consisted of Mark McGee on guitar, Dave Star on bass, and on vocals Carl Albert. Starting in the mid 90’s the line up would be far less consistent. This family tree at this time will only focus on the classic line up. This is because I am unsure of writing credits after that point. If at a future point I have information on later line ups and respective writing credits I will revisit the VR family tree.
The Beatles are probably the worlds most influential rock band. Mark named them as an influence.
Steve Howe
Steve Howe most notably played in Yes and Asia as well as solo. Mark named him as an influence.
The Who are an inflectional rock band who ventured in to a harder sound at the time. Mark named them as an influence.
Jimi Hendrix was easily the most influential guitar player in his day. Geoff named him as an early influence along with others that he first heard from his older sister. Vinnie also named him as an influence.
David Gilmour
David Gilmour was the long time guitarist of Pink Floyd and has done tons of stuff with other artists as well as solo albums. Geoff named him as an influence.
Aynsley Dunbar
Aynsley Dunbar is a drummer who has played with literally every band ever. Larry named him as an influence.
Jethro Tull were a progressive rock band most remembered for their frontman’s use of the flute. Geoff named them as an early influence.
Deep Purple were super influential to many. Larry named them as a band he idolized. Mark and Vinnie also named Ritchie as an influence.
Led Zeppelin are easily one of the most influential hard rock bands. Geoff named them as one of his influences growing up. Larry said Bonham was the reason he started drumming. Mark named Led Zep as an influence. Vinnie named Jimmy as an influence.
Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford is a prog rock drummer who notably played with Yes and King Crimson. Larry named him as an influence.
Yes were a influential progressive rock band. Although they weren’t directly named as an influence, Larry named yes drummer Bill Bruford as an influence and Mark named guitarist Steve Howe as an influence.
Black Sabbath are the fathers of heavy metal. Geoff named them as an influence. Larry named them as a band he idolized.
Thin Lizzy have been a very influential hard rock band with their twin lead harmonies. Dave named them as an influence and said that Phil Lynott is his favorite bassists.
UFO are influential hard rockers. Dave named bassist Pete Way as one of his influences.
Neal Schon
Neal Schon has been part of a bunch but most notably Journey. Geoff named him as an influence.
Billy Cobham is a influential jazz drummer. Larry named him as an influence.
Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett is a progressive rock guitarist best known for his work with Genesis and his solo albums. Mark named him as an influence.
One of the great American blues based hard rock bands, Aerosmith. Geoff named them as an influence growing up.
Queen have been a big influence on many over the years especially guitarists and vocalists. Mark named them as and and influence and Vinnie also named Brian May as an influence.
Judas Priest are one of the most important and influential metal bands. Geoff named them as an influence growing up. Dave named Ian Hill as one of his bass influences.
Kiss are one of the biggest american hard rock bands known for their great live shows (and also the face paint). Dave named Gene as one of his bass influences.
Ted Nugent was an American hard rock guitar icon. Geoff named him as an influence growing up.
Terry Bozzio
Terry Bozzio is known for playing with Frank Zappa and having to many drums/cymbals. Larry named him as an influence.
AC/DC became the quintessential hard rock band. Geoff named them as an influence. Mark also named Angus as an influence.
Randy Rhoads
Randy is best known for his two albums with Ozzy, however before that he two albums with Quit Riot. It was with Quit Riot Randy first made an impression on Geoff after seeing them play live.
One of the most influential metal bands, Iron Maiden came out of the NWOBHM movement. Geoff named them as an influence.
Dimebag Darrel
Dimebag Darrel is the father of groove metal and was the heart of Pantera. Geoff named him as an influence although that would be a later influence since Geoff started playing years before Dime became known.
Geoff talks about seeing The Runaways, Quit Riot (with Randy Roads), and Van Halen all before they became big. He said this really set a fire for him to take music seriously.
Geoff named Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath as the main influences for Vicious Rumors.
Vinnie Moore played on the first album and wrote some on it. His influences include Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppilin), and Brian May (Queen). Also Larry Carlton and Al DiMeola and later Joe Pass and Pat Martino. He said he started as a rock guy and got more into classical and jazz. When asked to name three musical hero he named Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen.
Dave Starr was the bassists on the first four VR albums. He started playing guitar before bass but switched when VR had trouble finding bass players. Dave says he’s a better guitar player than bassist. Some of his guitar influences are Glen Tipton, KK Downing, Scott Gorham, John Sykes, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley. He also names often names Savatage as one of his favorite bands.
Gary St. Pierre sung and wrote on the first album but I am unsure of his influences.
Jim Cassero and Mark Tate, guitars and vocals respectively, have writing credits on the first album but were no longer with the band when it was recorded.
Mark McGee also mentions being into bands like Scorpions, Aerosmith, UFO, Rush, and Kiss when he was younger but didn’t name them directly as influences. He also mentions being influenced by 70’s pop.
Carl Albert sung and wrote with the classic line up doing four albums with VR. He tragically died in a car accident fairly young. I’m unsure of his influences.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quqrn-lmq2o
http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=5767
http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/musicians/geoff_thorpe_vicious.htm
https://rockoverdose.gr/geoff-thorpe-vicious-rumors-rock-overdose-new-album-concussion-protocol-takes-ride/
https://www.vintageguitar.com/2920/vinnie-moore/
https://www.deanguitars.com/vinnie_moore_alt.php#:~:text=He%20is%20playing%20his%20Signature%20Dean%20guitar%20%26%20pickup.&text=Once%20Vinnie%20Moore%20picked%20up,%2C%20Deep%20Purple%2C%20and%20Queen.
http://wildestarr.com/bio_davestarr.htm
http://www.leviathanrecords.com/chasioads.htm
http://www.guitarsite.com/news/features/interview_with_wildestarrs_dave_starr/
https://musicmonstersandmuscle.wordpress.com/larry-howe-vicious-rumors/
https://www.ballbustermusic.com/2015/11/03/interview-drummer-larry-howe/
https://www.sonomanews.com/article/entertainment/sonoma-musician-spotlight-mark-mcgee/
http://hardrockhaven.net/online/2013/03/mark-mcgee-of-luvplanet-interview/
http://www.davesontour.com/interviews/m_mcgee.html
