The Everymen

Proud sons and daughters of the state of New Jersey, the Everymen are a band with a little bit of everything: the tough but tuneful melodies of '60s rock, the big and dynamic sound of Bruce Springsteen and his heartland rock brethren, the fierce attitude of punk rock, and the sloppy but powerful heart of the Replacements. Put it all together and you have a sound that's made the Everymen heroes in their home state and a growing presence elsewhere. The Everymen were formed by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mike V. (aka Michael Venutolo-Mantovani), who grew up listening to his father's record collection, which encompassed roots rock, heartland rock, R&B, jazz, and many stops in between. In his teens, Mike started writing songs that reflected his wide range of musical influences, and in 2009, Mike V. began playing shows as a two-piece with drummer Jake Fiedler. In time, the group expanded to add different sounds and flavors to the mix; Mike V. once told journalist Nikki M. Mascali, "In my dreams, if we had a f---ing million dollars and headlined Terminal 5, I'd have an entire f---ing horn section and a bunch of Cuban dudes playing." By 2012, the Everymen had grown to a mighty nine-piece ensemble, including Mike V., Fiedler, vocalist Catherine Herrick, lead guitarist Geoff Morrissey, Thomas Barrett on keyboards, Jamie Zillitto on bass, Stephen Chopek on percussion, Scott Zillitto on sax, and trumpeter Will Hoffman. In October 2012, the Everymen released their debut album, Hardcore New Jersey, through New Jersey-based independent label Killing Horse Records. The album received positive reviews, and in 2014, the Everymen returned with a glossier and more ambitious sophomore effort, Givin' Up on Free Jazz, their first album for Ernest Jenning Record Co. Shortly before the release of Givin' Up on Free Jazz, Thomas Barrett announced he was amicably parting ways with the Everymen to work with his other musical projects. In June 2016, the Everymen released their third album, These Mad Dogs Need Heroes. By this time, the group had trimmed itself down to a core of five members -- Mike V., Catherine Herrick, Scott Zillitto on sax and vocals, Jamie Zillitto on bass, and Ryan Gross on guitars and keyboards -- with a handful of guest musicians filling out their sound in the studio.
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