Vinnie Stigma… the man, the legend. Also known as “The Godfather Of Hardcore” for helping shape the NYHC scene via his band Agnostic Front who got their start wayyyyyy back in 1980. If you don’t know this name you better go ask someone. The idea behind “20 Questions With’ is to try and get a different look at the musicians and not just ask about what’s going on with their bands at the moment, but rather to try and get to know them a little better by asking some out of left field questions. I was lucky to have Agnostic Front’s bass player Mike Gallo on board to help me out with this interview as well. I shot the questions over to Mike and he did the rest with this April 2015 sit down with...THE GODFATHER! 

1. How did you become to be known as Vinnie Stigma and who actually gave you the name?

Vinnie: It came from the streets. A lot of kids called me that because of my family history name and it just stuck with me. I was Vinnie Mafia and then I became Vinnie Stigma.

2. What guitar player or musician did you look up to as a kid that made you want to

play guitar and be in a band?

Vinnie: Jimmy Hendrix.

3. Being a lifelong New Yorker how did you become a Pittsburgh Steelers football fan?

Vinnie: I don’t know. I got a lot of friends in Pittsburgh. I like the history of the team… no cheerleaders…. They play old fashioned football and I like it. 

Photo by: Bas Spierings

4. What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

Vinnie: I walk out on stage, it was in Florida, and I was wearing construction shoes. I don’t know what the reason was because usually you wear sneakers but I went up there and BA-BOOM! I fell flat on my face the minute I walked out on stage.

5. If you were going to be taking out some close friends to your favorite restaurant where

would you be taking them and what would you be ordering?

Vinnie: I’d go to Angelo’s Restaurant in Little Italy and I’d order the fructe de mare and that other thing, what did we order the other night? The calamari! We’d have the calamari as the appetizer and the fructe de mare which is seafood and spaghetti.

6. Three things that scare the crap out of you?

Vinnie: (After a long pause) Snakes, mice and rats!

STIGMA (on bottom left on guiatr) from AF's 1984 debut LP "Victim In Pain" 

7. What are some of the things you miss about “Old New York”?

Vinnie: I miss the garbage cans in the street. I miss the old lamp posts… their design. I miss the cobblestone streets… a lot of them are paved over now. I miss the abandoned buildings because they used to have clubs in them. I used to squat in them myself and have my bands play in them. I miss the neighborhoods because it was a neighborhood, not a community… I miss the honesty of New York. It’s a dying culture like everywhere else. It is getting white washed and I just miss the neighborhood. I miss that the fire hydrants used to be open on a hot summer day, you don’t see that anymore. You used to pull the fire alarm box lever to get the fire department. Now everyone has a cell phone, ya know? It was always a crowded city but now it is overrun by non-New Yorkers. They say “oh, I’m from New York”… yeah, but you’re not from here and you will never get it!

8. Out of all the musicians Agnostic Front has had over the years who would you say were

the most talented ones in your opinion?

Vinnie: Craig Setari, Matt Henderson, Will Shepler, and VINNNNIEE STIGMAAAA!

9. Who gets the credit for coming up with the name Agnostic Front and what is the actual meaning behind it?

Vinnie: I don’t take credit for anything but I did come up with the name. It’s not like I wanted to come up with a name. I wanted to make a statement and it speaks for itself. AGNOSTIC… to be in doubt. FRONT… a point of view and that’s about it. I didn’t want to do like Blondie, The Cars, The Beatles… DUH! Ya know what I mean? It meant more to me than to just have a name for a band. The Wonderfuls, The Satellite Seven, alright, whatever. 

STIGMA (left) & friends @ NYHC Tattoo. 127 Stanton Street, NYC. Photo by: Aga Hairesis 

10. Name 3 of your favorite TV shows from either yesterday or today.

Vinnie: Honeymooners… yeah! I think the Honeymooners. If I had to pick one it would be the Honeymooners because I still laugh, they’re still funny and I watch them till today. I’ve seen the episodes 1000 times and I say the joke before Ralph says it or Norton says it and I still laugh and I beat them to the joke and it’s just a great show. Another favorite is Seinfeld, great show. (After a pause…) and just to be different and to get out there I don’t know, I will throw M.A.S.H. in there just because I can’t think right now. I need a doctor and he has the prescription and that is MORE COWBELL!

11. What did Vinnie Stigma have for breakfast today?

Vinnie: Hot oats cereal with fruit and anything I can put in it like fruit, cinnamon, bananas. I have a hot cereal everyday with a piece of toast and a cup of coffee.

12. If you had a time machine and could go back to any time period where would you want to go?

Vinnie: Julius Caesar. I’d like to be Julius Caesar because he has good cigars called Diamond Crown. They are very expensive. I try to smoke them in my cigar club but I am a big fan of the Caesar’s. He was a great general back in the time… whatever. I could always say Genghis Khan, ‘ya know?

STIGMA vs. SNOWBALL... CLICK IMAGE TO SEE WHO WON

13. What would current day Vinnie Stigma say to 20 something year old Vinnie Stigma

if they were somehow to meet?

Vinnie: I’d say, read a little more, exercise a little more, don’t smoke and drink, and that’s about it. Really, ya know? Just read a little bit more, get a little bit more educated, get a better education but then again the streets were my education. Today’s Vinnie Stigma says, go to school, get a job, fly under the radar screen and be a good boy. Hey, my kid is 20 years old and that’s what I tell him.

14. Who is the person most responsible for Agnostic Front still being together

30 something years after you guys started?

Vinnie: Roger Miret in the beginning, and Mike Gallo.

15. What country have you not played in yet that you would love to go to?

Vinnie: South Africa.

16. If you didn’t take a path in music what kind of occupation could you see yourself doing?

Vinnie: Mafia hitman. 

Photo by: Bas Spierings

17. What advice would you give to kids who might look up to you that want to start a hardcore band?

Vinnie: Do it because you like it. Don’t worry about the money, or the egos. I know there are jobs and family things. I lived through a life long thing, I understand that. There are issues but don’t let egos or money get in the way. Stay in it because you like it and try to be involved. Involve yourself in the hardcore scene and just fly under the radar. Be a bunch of good kids, show up on time for rehearsals, you know what I mean? Respect each other and remember… to have a friend, you gotta be a friend. You gotta be in the band with these guys so you gotta be a brother.

18. The best slice of pizza in New York City is where?

Vinnie: That’s a tough one. I gotta go with Lombardi’s. 5 Spring Street, NYC. I better get a free pie when I walk in. Haha, I am always promoting John… he is a good guy!

19. If they made a Vinnie Stigma movie what actor besides yourself would you want them to get to play you?

Vinnie: I don’t knowwwwww.  (Pause) OK, ya know what? Al Pacino! Definitely Al Pacino.

20. Musically do you still feel like you have a lot to give to the hardcore scene?

Vinnie: Definitely. Not only do I have a lot left to give but I have a responsibility.