This local dad and his kids are taking the Bucks County music scene by storm
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
There’s the old saying that you shouldn’t go into business with family. Feuds happen over “what’s best” for the company, and disagreements can turn into years of angst. But Vermilion is the exception. Bucks resident Steve Shive and his kids/bandmates, Brooke and Ryan, have the process of writing, recording and performing together down to a science.
The rock/blues band was created in 2014 after Steve and his daughter Brooke wanted to take their band, Brooke Shive & the 45’s, in a different direction. Though they had six years of success and a single that reached №15 on the americana charts, they thought it was time to create a younger sound. Steve’s son Ryan and his friend Tom Livecchi joined as guitarists and songwriters, and they immediately got to work on the new sound, creating an in-home studio. The final piece, after going through five bassists since 2014, was finding current bassist Mark Jones, who joined Vermilion only eight weeks ago.
Music was in Brooke and Ryan’s blood growing up thanks to Steve, who enjoyed years as a professional drummer before taking a 10-year hiatus to raise his children. During his time on the road, he played with countless musical greats, including Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates, Kingfish and Philadelphia Soul Society.
From a young age, it was clear Brooke was destined for the spotlight. She idolized female superstars Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, and even had the opportunity to study with Lauper’s vocal coach, Kate Agresta, whose exercises she still uses to this day. As the years passed, Brooke got into dancing and acting as well, performing at the Bucks County Playhouse and appearing in films such as “Jesus Son” with Jack Black and the independent film “Homecoming.”
As for Ryan, according to Steve, he had no musical ambition growing up. It wasn’t until he hit his teen years that he wanted to start learning the drums like his father. Ryan went to Penn State for college, and one winter break, returned home with a guitar he purchased on campus that he was playing like a pro. Steve was in disbelief but beyond proud at his son’s ability to self-teach.
Since then, the two have been inseparable when it comes to collaborating on songs. Steve admits sometimes his song ideas aren’t very “modern,” so he’ll filter them through his son, who transforms them into something fresh.
“He comes up with these tremendous musical ideas,” Steve said. “He has a very analytical but also creative mind.”
Livecchi also writes with the father-son duo, who are constantly brainstorming and creating. According to Steve, the band has such a large backlog of songs, it can stay busy for years recording everything. The process of writing a song can take anywhere from 15 minutes to two days, and though there are some father-son disagreements over the creative direction of a song, it never lasts long.
“The main thing is that we’re all trying to make it (the song) as good as possible,” he said.
Vermilion’s first single “I Can’t Believe,” had a bit of a backward introduction to the world. Though it wasn’t officially released and mastered yet, the track was played nonstop by Bernard Overly on the syndicated radio show, SRrocks.com. The song reached №2 on the station in both December and January.
“Bernard really believed in the song from the first time he heard it. He expected blues but he got this pop/rock track that he fell in love with,” Steve said.
Vermilion is working on finishing an EP, which is set to be released between June and July, and booking gigs. Though they are open to playing anywhere in the country, they are concentrating on gaining a following in Bucks County, playing venues such as the Sellersville Theater and Puck in Doylestown. Members hail from Yardley, Levittown, Langhorne and in Livecchi’s case, Lawrence, N.J.
Though most of the members have normal 9–5 jobs outside of Vermilion, they couldn’t imagine not being in the band.
“Nobody is doing this because they’re getting a big, fat paycheck. Creating original music is like a drug habit. You just have to do it,” Steve said.
For the band, it’s extremely rewarding watching their ideas blossom into songs that audiences enjoy, but for Steve it’s so much more than that. Though he calls himself a “grizzled vet” of the music industry and still feels 20 years old while on stage, he is perfectly OK handing the torch over to his kids, and always has a perfect view of his son and daughter while behind the drums.
“I’m enjoying seeing my kids out there shining,” he said. “They make me better, and I make them better.”
To view upcoming tour dates and to get a free download of Vermilion’s June 4 performance at 40 Story Radio Tower, visit vermilionmusic.com. ••
