Rock Bottom Cover Band from Toms River, NJ

Don't let the name fool you. The Jersey Shore based cover band Rock Bottom is quickly rising to the top of the NJ club date scene, playing bigger rooms and racking up prestigious gigs at corporate events, weddings and festivals. Lead singer Rich Villalva, a born and raised Jersey boy with a mile-long resume and an astonishing vocal range, jumps out into the audience and gets them riled up. Whether he's belting out a Journey tune, leading a sing-along of Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" or doing a mean Sean Paul impression on current top forty hit "Cheap Thrills," Villalva is a vocal chameleon who knows how to work a crowd. "I love to challenge myself by being as versatile as possible," admits Villalva. "As much as I love to sing country and alternative rock, it's fun for me to rap like Pit Bull and come out with stuff nobody would ever expect." Indeed, versatility and crowd participation are what make Rock Bottom stand out from dozens of other New Jersey-based cover bands. Female vocalist Raquel Ramos is a native New Yorker with a long history on the wedding band circuit as well as performing her own original music. Her vocal harmonies with Villalva on songs like the Charlie Puth/Meghan Trainor duet, "Marvin Gaye" have elevated Rock Bottom from "bar band" status to a more versatile and polished level. The band has been around in some form for the better part of a decade, but only one member remains from that original line-up. Marc Coccio, the uber-talented guitarist whose skill with a guitar synthesizer allows him to double as a de facto keyboardist in the band, is the last one standing from the old days. "We weren't that good back then," he confesses with no trace of sentimentality. The newest member of the band is guitarist Tommy DiGenno, a longtime friend of Rich Villalva. Along with his exemplary musicianship, Tommy brings a great attitude and a positive, fun-loving approach to every gig. Originally from the Bronx, Tommy has played in all kinds of rock, dance and wedding bands, though he has a special affinity for classic jazz and 20th century classical music. On bass is mystery man Chaz K. When asked what defines him as a performer, he responded: "I refuse to answer that." Reticence notwithstanding, Chaz makes it look easy to keep the crowd jumping as he "lays down the boogie" on songs as far-ranging as Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling" to "Rock and Roll All Night" by Kiss. We think he's from New Jersey, but he would neither confirm nor deny. Tony Bisulca, another New York native, is a talented and energetic drummer whose years of experience in wedding bands and countless rock bands can be heard in the consistency and fidelity of his performances, no matter what the genre. He also acts as Rock Bottom's booking contact and is optimistic about the band's future. "Everybody who's seen our new video content loves it. We're booking more shows, getting great feedback, and it's only going to keep getting better."