About Vince Charming
Vince Charming is one of the Bay Area’s premier singer-songwriters who has been delighting California audiences for decades. His songs combine incisive storytelling, wry wit, social observations, and an endless exploration of the joys and pratfalls of romantic relationships. He has reformed Vince Charming Band featuring holdover Rick King on drums, bassist Ricky Fishman, singer Olive Pants, and Steve Lussie on mandolin and lead guitar. Together they play “Roots Music…and Beyond.” They blend elements of classic and alt-country, rock, bluegrass, and folk-rock to create a unique sound that is both fresh and familiar!
He can play in a variety of settings as a headliner or opening act and as a duo, trio, or full band. He features tracks from his new album, brand new originals, songs from the depths of his career and/or choice covers ranging from Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard to the Band and Bob Dylan focusing on the best of singer songwriters. Over the past two years the band has performed at a variety of venues all over Northern California including the Riptide in SF, the Clayton Club Saloon, Winter’s Tavern in Pacifica, Sugarloaf Wine Co in Santa Rosa, Jettywave Distillery in Half Moon Bay, Tam Commons in San Rafael, Blazers BBQ in Novato, Moonlight Brewing in Santa Rosa, Spancky’s in Cotati, Starling Bar in Sonoma, the Penngrove Pub, Blue Ocean Brewing in Half Moon Bay ,the Fourth Bore in Orinda, Ireland’s 32 in SF, Jam Cellars in Napa, Treasure Fest on Treasure Island, Slow Hand BBQ in Martinez, the Sausalito Cruising Club, and Elevation LVK in Livermore. Upcoming gigs include the Ivy Room in Albany, BR Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen, Jack’s in Fremont, and the Sunset Concert Series at SF Zoo! Contact Vince to get a quote on rates and availabilty.
History
As a leader, bassist, and songwriter for the ‘Lektrik Submarine, Vince helped pioneer the neo-psychedelic wave that hit Berkeley in 1983. In 1985 he formed and led the Coffee Achievers whose original and high-energy blend of Rock, R&B, Reggae, and Be-bop thrilled Bay Area audiences. In that same year he debuted his original rock opera, The Artist written under the supervision of renowned poet and author, Ismail Reed. In the nineties Vince reinvented himself as an acoustic guitar playing singer-songwriter and for a brief time relocated to Southern California.
In the Bay Area Charming has appeared in such varied venues as the Hotel Utah, Jupiter, Last Day Saloon, Ireland’s 32, the Starry Plough, Ashkenaz, the Bistro in Hayward, Johnny Foleys, the San Gregorio General Store, the Plough & Stars, Peri’s Silver Dollar, Kensington Circus Pub, and the Marin Brewing Company. In early 2005 he released a solo EP, Five Reel Film. Described as “aural cinema”, this work presents five vintage Charming originals. He formed the New Americans in 2005 which played a tasty blend of music that redefined Americana. So Many Me’s was his first full-length solo CD and was released in 2008. Vince released his third solo CD, Everything I Know About Love in, 2013. It contained 14 original songs representing 21st Century Americana.
Vince Charming Band was formed to promote the album and performed all over Northern California before breaking up five years later. They then went into the studio to record his latest, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades released in late 2022. Featuring the singles “Oaklandish” and “Not Your Girlfriend Anymore” with Elliott Peck, the album is a triumph of songwriting and production. With 2023 Vince launched a revamped Vince Charming Band to perform live all over Northern California and promote the new album. Crowd response from recent performances has been filled with praise as the band gains new fans with every show!
Throughout their first year of shows, Vince went on a writing binge-crafting over 20 new songs in 2023 alone! After a year of performing many of these songs, the band went to Skyline Studios in Oakland and recorded “So Totally Right,” a four song digital EP and live performance video. The music can be streamed everywhere, while the videos can be seen on Vince’s YouTube channel, Vince Charming Music.
The All New Vince Charming Band
Rick King is an amazing drummer from Berkeley, California. His drumming is the centerpiece of Vince’s latest album, “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.”
Ricky Fishman is a fantastic bassist from New York City. He has performed in a variety of bands all over the country for several decades.
Olive Pants is a talented singer, songwriter, and guitar player who hails from Madison, Wisconsin. Currently residing in San Francisco, her harmonies and lead vocals add a whole new dimension to the band!
Steve Lussie is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed in a variety of bands all over the country. If it has strings, Steve can play it!