THE E! TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY
(Not affiliated with the E! channel in any way, although we do enjoy the "Wild On" series)
Dirk Pepper -- most voices and occasional keyboards
Rodney Knight -- main guitar and occasional yelling
James Van der Saint -- other guitar
Timmy di Silva -- percussion and the like
Diane McKay -- anything not played by the others
While many music credits will cite the year 2000 as the birthplace of nu-metal and emotional rock, most have failed to include The Next Syphillis on the list of blessings from the early 21st century, along with other current chart-toppers of the music world.
The humble beginnings of the band that was to become The Next Syphillis date back to the early 90s when vocalist Dirk Pepper and guitarist Rodney Knight were school chums in Manchester, England. The boisterous youths found they could only be sedated by the stylings of David Lee Roth. Fate found the boys relocating to the States, settling down in the quiet town of Niagara Falls, NY.
Pepper and Knight started Panama-monium, arguably one of the country's finest David Lee Roth cover bands, but failed to make a name for themselves in the bar scene. However, they did catch the attention of guitarist James van der Saint and drummer Timmy di Silva, then in struggling alt-rock group, Pit Maniacs. The four Diamond Dave-devotees decided to join forces to merge rock, pop, ska, funk and thrash metal into a unique sound.
In their short time together, The Next Syphillis has managed to develop quite the cult following among the Western New York music scene. Fans have been known to trade bootlegs of the band's rehearsals. Accolades have been pouring over the group's original style, and the recent addition of multi-instrumentalist/eye candy Diane McKay ensures that their sound will continue to expand.
Successful performances opening up for such great local bands as Veil and Superpimp, as well as the recent releases of recorded material guarantees you will be hearing much more from these mischief makers in the near future, whether you want to or not.
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