The Vipers are professional musicians; all experts in their instruments with decades of playing experience that is one of the keys to their amazing performances. You can feel the chemistry between them as they play hits from their many original songs off their CD’s as well as covering classic songs such as “Little Wing,” “Hey Joe,” “Right Place Wrong Time” and instrumentals like “Sleepwalk” and “Pipeline.” The Vipers always put their own spin on these classic songs, making them their own. Some fans even say that they enjoy hearing their versions better than the original.
Their first CD, “Hooloovoo” ended up being released on “Big Noise” records in 1991, where it went on to be the best selling CD in 1991 and 1992 by “TheNicePaper” as well as the 1991 Critic’s Choice Award from “The Providence Journal.” “I’m Finally Alone,” their second CD also released by “Big Noise,” went on to be the best of 1993 from “The Providence Journal” and the best selling CD of 1994 from “TheNicePaper.” They continued to win awards from “Best Music Poll” from “The Providence Phoenix” to the “Best of Bands” and “Best of Blues Acts” from the “Hartford Advocate.”
Steve Bigelow and Dave Howard decided to leave the Vipers back in the early 90’s to pursue other projects and Neal continued as lead vocalist and lead guitarist, playing as a trio with The Vipers. Neal never stopped recording CD’s and touring as far west as Texas and also all over Europe. Neal was signed by Bob Greenly to King Snake Records for the next 4 albums, and 2 self-produced Live CD’s between 1991-2012, The Vipers also have tracks featured in 9 other compilation albums released by Big Noise from 1992-1998.
Current drummer Mike LaBelle joined the Vipers in 2003 when The Vipers were still a trio until Dave Howard and Steve Bigelow reunited with Neal in 2010, coming “full circle.” October of 2010, after 20 years of not sharing the same stage together, Neal, Dave, and Steve reunited together with Mike on drums to play at the Knickerbocker Cafe in Westerly, RI. Soon after, they recorded the 8th CD “Full Circle.”
