By Ashley Ramirez Gonzalez, Reading Senior High School
Photo courtesy of Tony Mancuso, Creative Director of Three Hive Studio
Berks County’s vibrant music scene continues to grow with the emergence of new local bands. One such newcomer to the scene is Vinyl Rush, a rock group composed of three members, all of whom are 18 and 19 years old: Cody Toplak on guitar and vocals, Nic Alvine on drums, and Dante Fioravanti on bass and vocals. The up-and-coming band has played countless gigs throughout the county, performed outside the state, and recently released their debut album, Dead Luck.
They’ve worked diligently to hone their instruments, songs, and lyrical writing to align their craft with their vision. They also got a look at the studio life while recording numerous singles pre-album release. When asked about the studio experience, Alvine said, “I’d say the recording process was really fun. The first time we did it, it was challenging, you know, being our first experience in the studio setting. But once we got the hang of it, it kind of started to come naturally, and it was really fun.” The underlying storyline of the album follows a man being drafted into war. “He goes through training, and he fights in battle. He fights till the end, and one day on the battlefield, he gets injured, and he starts to reminisce back to his life at home, which is kind of what ‘Rooftops’ is about. It’s a dream of him being at home, enjoying life with his friends and family, and then eventually he comes back to reality and passes on to the next life,” said Toplak. The sound is a product of their varied, combined music tastes. Elements of hard rock, metal, alternative, and progressive make for a unique sound. “I hope that people know what we’re going for, especially with the story, whether you bought a CD or if you’re looking at the album cover on Spotify or Apple Music,” said Fioravanti.
Undoubtedly, being a young band can have its ups and downs, with a lack of experience and trouble finding a community. Vinyl Rush started their band at only 14 and 15 years old, and they’ve experienced their share of obstacles. Fioravanti noted, “We don’t have much experience like other musicians. We’re still trying to find what we want. So, it’s tough because everything’s new to us, we’re just going with the flow here.” However, through discipline, a lot of practice on their instruments, and the exploration of broader music genres, they have persevered through those bumps in the road. The local music scene has also helped shape their journey and make it smoother by presenting opportunities to play at local restaurants, bars, and venues. “They gave us a chance and helped us, you know, spread our popularity bit by bit, and we just can’t wait to see where it goes,” shared Toplak. The Berks County community has given the trio a stage, and in return, they’ve been given back nights of dancing, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
The process Vinyl Rush has gone through as a whole demonstrates dedication, passion, and enthusiasm. And the adventure continues. The band is almost always gigging around Berks County, and they are working hard, planning new music, learning new things, and reaching their goals. One of their most recent accomplishments was winning the Central Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Youth Band award. They’ve worked throughout the years to make great progress, create a band that gives back to the community that opened its doors to them, and make music that accurately reflects their talent, all while enjoying themselves at the same time.
Their album Dead Luck is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. If interested in booking the band, attending one of their gigs, or staying updated with what they’re doing, visit their website (vinylrushband.com), follow on Facebook: VINYL RUSH, Instagram: @vinyl_rush_, or YouTube: Vinyl Rush.
