On Top – Top Heavy
Philadelphia based metal band On Top released their debut CD “Top Heavy November of 2011
I’m not even going to attempted to give you a break down of what each song sounds like. You can check out their band profile on Facebook and check that out for your self. What I will say is that “Top Heavy” is complete with heavy riffs, blazing guitar solos, and a singer that stands out from what is going on in today’s music scene.
What I like most about On Top is that they sound different. I really try to check out bands that are different from what everyone else might be doing. And that’s why I love On Top’s CD “Top Heavy”. I read a few reviews of this CD and every one says something different. No one can put a finger on their sound. In fact I spoke to On Top’s lead vocalist Jaron Gulino and he can’t describe their sound either. There is one thing that can be said for sure On Top is a metal band that is bad ass.
Top Heavy Track List:
1. Top Heavy
2. Into the Night
3. Sleepless
4. Sick and Tired
5. Another Night of Sleaze
6. Die High
7. Fire Down Below
8. Hot N Wet
9. Success and Excess
10. Up to No Good
11. Too Much
RN: How did On Top Come together?
Jaron Gulino: I was in a few thrash bands but then I started to get into other music that was fun like Ratt and Dokken. I wanted a bigger sounding band. I wanted to keep some of the thrash elements but have fun music as well. I wanted to play venues that had stages. I didn’t want to play in basements anymore. After the last tour with I did I just started to write as much as I could and I wanted to get better. I slowed it down a bit. The first song I wrote that was not a thrash song was one of the songs on the album called “Success And Excess”. I came up with the bass line while listening to “One More Reason” from L.A. Guns. I put that song together at the end of 2008 early 2009. I put together a three song demo and I started looking for a band. It took a while to find people and I came across Danny Piselli our drummer. Danny loves the drums he loves rock n roll. He was the first person that wanted to do this with me and he has been with me ever since.
RN: Being such a young band and playing the style of music you play who inspired you as a musician?
Jaron Gulino: A lot of things really. Growing up driving around with my dad he would always be blasting Deep Purple, Rainbow and Ozzy. Van Halen was my favorite for the longest time. I knew every album by the time I was in third grade. Than from there I started to find bands on my own like Iron Maiden and Priest.
RN: What was the turning point for you to start playing?
Jaron Gulino: I think the turning point for me was my history teacher gave me a stack of discs to check out and in the pile was Sepultura, Testament’s The New Order and Dokken’s Back For The Attack. I’m a big guitar guy and I checked out Mr. Scary and from then on everything was about guitar. I played in a few thrash bands as did our drummer. I think that’s where the heaviness of On Top comes from. That internal instinct to play heavy. But I also wanted to do something that captured an audience. All the 80’s bands were about having a good time. So we just wanted to blend it together.
RN: Who did you look up to as a singer?
Jaron Gulino: I never wanted to be the singer. I don’t think I can sing all that well. I would love to find a singer that would fit in with the band and couldn’t so I try my best.
RN: I heard you are working on a new CD as well?
Jaron Gulino: We have about 5 songs finished. I think it might be finished by the fall. I’m really excited about this one because we started this one together with our new guitarist Alex Kulick he rips on guitar he is great. Alex brings a very unique feel to the album. Kind of groovy, a lot of feeling, he’s bringing some stuff that you wouldn’t expect.
RN: Top Heavy just came out and you will be doing shows this year to support that CD while writing and recording your next one. Is that right?
Jaron Gulino: It’s kind of bitter sweet because we want to get out there and play some new songs. We have been sitting on these tunes for awhile now. We got off to a late start on the promotion of “Top Heavy” but it’s getting a good response so we are going to do shows this year to support this record while finishing the new one. Who knows we might throw some new stuff in the set.
RN: I noticed you play shows with bands that are a lot heavier than you. You are playing thrash fest in Philly with Rumpelstiltskin Grinder. And yet you don’t consider your self as being part of a thrash band.
Jaron Gulino: We are all thrash guys. We all came from bands that are a lot heavier than this. So when they heard the CD they ask us to play thrash fest. If that’s the way people inturpet the music it’s cool with me. I’m blown away that people dig it.
RN: Where can people buy the On Top CD.?
Jaron Gulino: Amazon, itunes, cdbaby and at our shows. And it’s also in some independent stores.
RN: Do you want to say anything to people that are reading this?
Jaron Gulino: We are definitely a band to see live. We put on a great show and thank you to everyone that has come out and supported us.
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