Vi3 'So Tight' album

If you think Chicago culture is just about bratwurst, beer and "Da Bears," think again! Chi-town is actually home to an expansive dance/hip-hop scene, and no band crystallizes the Second City's musical style better than Vi3. Justin Roman, Lucas Bowers, and Jackie Salvucci have been on a rampage over the last few months, thanks to non-stop touring, recording, and their creating a buzz felt 'round the nation. But everything is set to catapult a whole lot higher with the release of Vi3's MCA debut album ...So Tight.

From day one, their credits have been most impressive: Vi3 has opened for Britney Spears, Nelly, Alicia Keys, P. Diddy, Shakira, and O-Town. They won top honors at the 2002 Chicago Music Awards, landed that MCA recording contract, and their first single "Go-Get-Her" debuted #1 on Chicago SoundScan as well as at Chicago radio stations... all within the few short months since forming in the summer of 2001.

Much of the group?s time has been spent writing and recording ...So Tight. Justin wrote seven of the album's nine songs, and the trio worked with a host of top-flight producers, including Jason Epperson (Nelly), Ray Cham (a.k.a. Sol Survivor), Rob Williams, and Beau Dozier. On the album, Justin, Lucas, and Jackie blend their unique musical personalities into a style the group aptly calls "hip-pop." Says Justin, "We're a mix of the hip-hop we grew up with and the pop music we love today. It's that Chicago party music we wanna take across the nation and around the world. We're just trying to bring a fresh sound no one's ever heard."

Mission accomplished. Songs on the album include the party starter "Turn It Up," featuring Da Brat. The achingly beautiful ballad and lead single "Eyes Closed So Tight" proves Vi3 can harmonize with the best of today's pop vocal groups, while "Get'cha Boogie On," a raucous tale of one unforgettable "spring break" night, serves up phat funk Chicago style. "Go-Get-Her," Vi3's breakthrough single, is a fun nursery rhyme-flavored track, featured here in an inspired remix by J. Styles and Chris Craze. "Hottie with a Body" is a way uptempo joint about a girl with all the right curves, while "Backstage Girl" offers a slice-of-Vi3-life about a special someone waiting after the show. Says Justin, "People have tried to pigeonhole us into the 'boy band' thing, but we're starting our own movement. We've said from the start that we're trying to break new ground, and hopefully other people will follow suit."

You gotta love their "lead, follow, or get outta the way" attitude, but it didn't materialize overnight. In fact, the members of Vi3 worked hard to reach this point. "We got a lot done in a short period of time because we've been very focused," says Justin. Adds Lucas, "We had faith in ourselves coming in. Just ask the people who've seen us. Our shows are non-stop energy. Fans can tell we love what we do, that we belong on stage."

In many ways, the Vi3 story exemplifies the flowering of a new musical generation. Drawing on the dual influences of hard-core hip-hop and latter-day high energy pop, Vi3 managed to distill something new and original. Illinois natives Justin and Lucas grew up immersed in sports, music and artists like hip-hop/crossover pioneers 2Pac & the Notorious B.I.G.

"I played sports all my life," says Justin. "I was all-state, all-conference in baseball. I also loved music. I wrote songs and poetry ever since I was a kid." Lucas grew up in rural northern Illinois, and like Justin, he also showed great athletic ability. "I became all-state and all-conference in track," he notes. "I went to Wisconsin/Whitewater to play football, got hurt, and couldn't play anymore. That's when I got back to my roots in music."

Lucas moved to Chicago to start a band, which drew the attention of manager Erik Bradley. Although that group didn't last, Lucas had bigger and better ideas for the next one. He called Justin Roman, a friend since their days together with the same production camp during their teens. After high school, Justin had set his sights on a solo music career. He auditioned for the hit TV series "Making The Band," where he met a talented kid from Boston named Jackie Salvucci. Though competitors, both became friends as they made their way to the Top 25 Semi-Finals. From there Justin decided to take the plunge, moving to LA in the summer of 2001 seeking music career opportunities. He wasn't in L.A. more than a week when he got the call from Lucas. The offer to work with his friend under the aegis of manager Bradley proved too much to resist, and Justin returned home to join the new group.

One piece of the puzzle was missing. Justin immediately thought of his friend Jackie Salvucci. Boston born and bred, Jackie had been acting and singing most of his life, finding work in commercials, musical theater, and other settings. After high school, he joined a trio managed by the great musical impresario Maurice Starr. From there, he met Justin at "Making The Band." He later became a featured contestant on the second installment of "Pop Stars", again making it to the semi-finals. Then he too got the call. "When Justin invited me to join the group, I got on the next plane to Chicago," recalls Jackie. "I knew this was for real and that we could work well together. It's been nothing but perfect ever since."

Says manager Erik Bradley, "I felt strongly about their talent from the moment I first heard & met them. They're superstars in every sense of the word." With strong momentum propelling them, the band signed with MCA less than three months after forming. In addition, Vi3 landed a Levi's sponsorship, performed at the B-96 Jingle Bash and Halloween Bash alongside some of the top names in the business, and also opened for the Backstreet Boys, playing before tens of thousands. This whirlwind of activity culminated in Vi3 winning Pop Recording Artist of the Year at the 21st Annual Chicago Music Awards, held in February 2002.

Clearly, Vi3 touched a nerve. "Go-Get-Her" hit #1 at B-96/Chicago, #1 at Tower Records, and retired as champion on the "Kiss Kombat" at KISS/Milwaukee. All through the recording of the album, the band stayed sharp, performing across the midwest and even heading to Mexico for a special concert there. Ask the members what's the secret behind Vi3's success, and they'll tell you straight up: "We have the most loyal fans in the world," says Justin. "Because of that, we feel it's important to do meet-and-greets at every show, show love, sign autographs, stay in touch via e-mail and our website. We know ultimately there is no Vi3 without our fans. They are in our hearts and minds at every show, every day."

With unbridled success looming, the members of Vi3 remain calm and confident. "We're three ordinary kids leading extraordinary lives," says Lucas. Adds Jackie, "We just want people to have fun with our music, bob their heads, wave their hands in the air, dance and sing along." And Justin notes, "Today's music is looking for something new. We have a great opportunity to take the nation by storm. We're not gonna stop 'til we do just that!"

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Vi3 - So Tight