The Replacements, Goo Goo Dolls, Cheap Trick, Gin Blossoms, Soul Asylum, Big Star, Paul Westerberg, KISS, The Kinks
BANDS WE'VE PLAYED WITH:
Almada
Almost Speechless
Amusia
The Andwutz
Army Of Me (from D.C.)
Barnicle
Rob Bonfilio and Carnie Wilson
Boone
Brother Love (from NYC)
The Buckners
Cheater Pint
Classic Ruins
Conservative Man
Crashbox
Daisycutter
Dave Clark Band
The DoomBuggies
The Crushing Low
Fly Upright Kite
Four Inch Stud
Get Set Go (from L.A.)
The Halogens
Haverchuck
Juniper's Daughter
Labb
Lansdowne
The Lights Out
Josh Logan (from Rockstar Supernova tv show)
Loverless
The Lyres
Magic Christian (featuring Clem Burke)
Mercury Charm Offensive
Melt
The Modifiers
Moonraker
Muck And The Mires
The New Thirty
Oranjuly
Papermoon
Parkview
The Peasants
Peet Golan Disaster
Plumerai
Practially Einstein (from D.C.)
Mike Previti
The Prime Movers
Project G
Pure Fiction
The Radio Knights
Rathbone
Reckless Daughter
The Ruse (from L.A.)
Say When
The Shills
Sparkola
Stoley PT (from NYC)
Sundown
Superlow
Swallows
Temper
Tommy Dempsey and Smug
Traces David
Trans Cardia
Troy
The Vital Might
Trick Wallace
Watts
The Wildbirds (from WI)
Buy TOPHEAVY's One Time, This Time and Love Drunk cds on iTunes!!!
***REQUEST TOPHEAVY ON THESE RADIO STATIONS***
WAAF 107.3 Boston, MA
*Indie 104LA Los Angeles, CA (www.iradiola.com)
*WBCN 104.1FM Boston, MA
*WXRV 92.5FM Boston, MA
PIXY 103FM Hyannis, MA
WSRO 1470 Framingham, MA
*WFPK 91.9FM Louisville, KY
*WDVX 89.9FM Knoxville, TN (www.wdvx.com)
*WAMU 88.5FM American University, Washington, DC
*WFUV 90.7FM Fordham University, NYC
*KAOS 89.3FM Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
*KDHX 88.1FM St. Louis, MO
*KSER 90.7FM Everett, WA
*KRVM 91.9FM Eugene, OR
*KPFT 90.1FM Houston, TX
*WCBG 1590AM Chambersburg, PA
*WBJB 90.5FM Brookdale Community College, NJ
*WFAE 90.7FM Charlotte, NC
*KMUD 91.1FM Redwood Community Radio, CA
*WICB 91.7FM Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
TOPHEAVY
One Time, This Time
9-song CD
"This is the second release for pop-rockers Top Heavy. The disc moves along well—the songs are well-written and performed with conviction. Standouts include “Bangin’ Camaro” and “Outta My Head.” Both have great hooks that stay in your head for days like a good dream. Chris Wagner heads up this trio on guitar and vocals—he sings and plays with sincerity. His vocal style is often compared to John Rzeznik and the similarities are clearly there. Elements of Rick Springfield are evident as well. Yet somehow there is no cheesiness. Mike Martino bangs out the straight ahead solid drumming and Corey Buckingham holds the low end with confident solidity. The songs are strong and they carry the record, as they should. If good old straight up rock is your thing, then these songs won’t disappoint."
Shady/The Noise 10/08
"Topheavy delivers a satisfying pop-rock gem with their new album, One Time, This Time. Lead singer-guitarist, Chris Wagner heads up the power trio's catchy melodies with his fine vocals and supercharged guitar work. The excellent rhythm section of bandmates Corey Buckingham on bass and Mike Martino on drums are just the icing on the cake.
When listening to Topheavy, acts like Gin Blossoms, The Sighs, Greg Kihn Band, and The Romantics come to mind. Those were bands that focused on the pure essence of the song, rather than an individual talent's wanking prowess.
Topheavy is surely one of those bands that puts all their energy and focus into the quality of the song, and it shows up in aces on One Time, This Time. Radio-ready tracks that are sure to induct a legion of rock & roll fans include the albums title track, "One Time, This Time," "Bangin' Camaro," "Down," and "Outta My Head." Make sure you check out Topheavy, it's good stuff, for sure!"
-Doug Sloan, Boston Metronome 9/08
"Topheavy seems to be a band that is on the verge of being discovered. There’s a confidence and professionalism in the group’s songs that signal a Next Big Thing pulse. Topheavy’s music is commercial alternative rock a la the Foo Fighters, Everclear, and the Goo Goo Dolls, guitars cranked up enough for the boys but with an emotional fragility to snag the girls. It’s a combination that has always worked in jumping on sales charts, but that’ll be dependent on how much support this band is given.
Topheavy will please you with crisp guitar work, clean production, and memorable and rocking songs."
-Kyrby Raine, 8/07
www.shotgunreviews.com
"There is no denying that Topheavy (http://www.topheavyrock.com), at least to these ears, sounds like early Goo Goo Dolls. You know, before that band became staples of Adult Contemporary radio stations with their unit-shifting ballads. While I hold no resentment towards alternative acts who finally cross over into the mainstream, it's fairly sickening to see once potent rock groups suddenly drown themselves in syrup - or would that be Goo? Topheavy thankfully remind me of the Goo Goo Dolls when they were still Good Good Good.
The Goo Goo Dolls were never a punk or hard-rock band although they did incorporate elements of both. Fans of the Replacements and Cheap Trick, the Goo Goo Dolls combined the metallic punch of their idols with a sweeter power-pop sensibility - and sensitivity. Topheavy seems to be following a similar path. "Down" and "Julie Says" are energetic college-rock tunes with crunchy guitars and pounding drums. The soaring vocal harmonies on "Julie Says" and "Happy Song" are something you don't hear on alternative radio anymore, and that gives Topheavy a fresh spin that is certainly most welcome.
Many of these tracks, perhaps all, deal with girl troubles. Topheavy are not a satisfied lot, issuing plenty of angst on "Irritate" and "Words," wherein vocalist/guitarist Chris Wagner is ticked off at "the shit you put me through." "Happy Song" is actually not happy at all as Wagner laments, "When will you make me happy?"
Despite the broken hearts, Topheavy are never depressing and always revved up unlike their soulmates Goo Goo Dolls who are gradually descending into James Taylor territory. May you continue to rock on, lads."
-Adam Harrington, 7/07, www.whisperinandhollerin.com UK
"Reckless, hard driving rock and roll via Mike Martino's crashing drums, Corey Buckingham's thumping bass lines and Rod Eymael's & Chris Wagner's cranking guitars come blaring out of my speakers like a freight train out of control. Punching up the proceedings are Wagner's fiery vocals that set fire to these 10 well-penned tunes . No one rocks out anymore. Everything has got to make a statement, or worse, some pussy boy band has to tell you about the girl he digs at the coffee shop, while R&B chicks are rapping about giving away some booty if the karats are big enough. I say screw all of that! Give Topheavy the stage and let them throw some gasoline on a few songs... that'll heat the place up! Rock and roll never sounded better."
-Doug Sloan, Boston Metronome
MORE ABOUT TOPHEAVY:
TOPHEAVY's "mighty pop" broke into the Boston music scene using a combination of energetic guitar riffs, hook-laden melodies, and a driving rhythm section for their up-tempo rock songs. TOPHEAVY quickly went from playing smaller, local clubs, to some of New England's top venues, including Bill's Bar, The Middle East, T.T. the Bear's, Great Scott, Pearl Street Nightclub, and the Webster Theatre Underground.
The local buzz and radio airplay surrounding TOPHEAVY's debut 4-song cd "BITESIZE" TOPHEAVY allowed the band to broaden its fan base by performing in NYC, RI, PA, CT, ME, NH, VT,DC, and Montreal QC.
Recorded and produced by Neighborhoods front man, David Minehan, both the "Bite Size" EP and the follow-up, full-length "LoveDrunk" CD received radio airplay throughout New England, as well as the East and West Coasts, the Midwest and international exposure in Europe, Australia, and South America. The cds capture TOPHEAVY's live energy and gritty vocals and were considered one of the best new releases of the year by the Boston Metronome.
TOPHEAVY was selected (out of over 2,500 contestants) as one of the TOP 50 unsigned bands in the USA, to compete for the Coca-Cola sponsored/American Music Awards "New Music Award." Additionally, four of the songs from the LoveDrunk CD were given honorable mentions in the BillBoard Songwriting contest. Topheavy has also been a featured act in the yearly International Pop Overthrow festival.
TOPHEAVY, comprised of Chris Wagner(vocals/guitar), Mike Martino(drums, vocals), and Corey Buckingham (bass, vocals)has become the definitive line-up for the band...for both the band's electric and acoustic performances.
As 2009 approaches...TOPHEAVY shows no sign of slowing down. Increased national club and college touring to support their new CD "One Time, This Time" recorded with producer Chris Rival, are only the start of the band's upcoming plans. Don't miss the rock experience that is TOPHEAVY, the harbingers of the Mighty Pop!
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