Vinny Vegas stands out amongst the myriad of progressive bands emerging from Baltimore’s burgeoning art rock community. Living proof that a musical act can thrive without abandoning the DIY aesthetic, the band has self-released three critically acclaimed EPs and self-booked/funded many tours over their five-year existence. With each release, Vinny Vegas has shown the kind of growth that can only occur when artists maintain control over their own destiny.
Ghettoblaster recently caught up with Vinny Vegas’ Scott Siskind to discuss an album that has provided inspiration from his early days and through the grueling tours.  This is what he told us about Weezer’s blue album.
What is your favorite album?
So hard to choose just one, but probably one of my favorites that has stood the test of time is Weezer’s blue album.
Do you remember when you received or purchased the album? 
Yeah, I was in 5th grade.  Probably one of the first albums I bought with my own money.
What is your favorite song on the album?
They’re all great, but “Say It Ain’t So” is one of my favorite songs.
What is it about the song that resonates with you?
The lyrical content is great of course, but I think it’s the way the song builds, in only a way that old Weezer could build a song.
Have you ever covered a song from the album?
No, we don’t do many cover songs. Though I’ve definitely played a lot of those songs when just messing around at practice or at home.
What is it about the album that makes it stand out against the band’s other output?
Pinkerton and the blue album are two of my favorite albums I’ve ever owned by any band… the rest of their stuff doesn’t do it for me. The rest of the new stuff has been a little too pop centric for me I guess. It lacked some of the substance I found in those first two albums. Though I will admit, it is probably a bit of nostalgia that attracts me still to those first two still.
Have you ever given a copy of this record to anyone? What were the circumstances? 
I’m sure I’ve copied and showed it to many friends along the years.
Which of the records that you’ve performed on is your favorite?  
Probably the most recent one we just recorded, The Big White Whale. It has been the first full length I’ve ever gotten to work on and I got to experience seeing and album come full circle for the first time.
What is your favorite song on the album and why?

They all hold a lot of special meaning to me. But as far as the recordings of the songs, my favorites are “Sleeping Cliffs” and “The Taste of Your Own Tongue”. I am proud of the way those two turned out.
(Visit Vinny Vegas here: https://www.facebook.com/VinnyVegasMusic.)