Punk of The Month: Vinnie Stigma

Vincent Capuccio (born December 3, 1955), better known as Vinnie Stigma, is an American guitarist and occasional vocalist who is a founding member of the New York hardcore band Agnostic Front, formed in 1980.  In 1983, the group recorded their debut EP United Blood, followed by Victim in Pain in 1984. The band's supposed last show was at CBGB on December 20, 1992. Stigma and Miret reformed Agnostic Front in May 1996 and did a few reunion shows in December 1996 since then the band has toured continuously and has released an additional 9 records. 

We were hoping to interview Vinnie at the Agnostic Front show at Alchemy in Providence, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, that did not happen. So, we compiled a little bio from his book, video interviews, and other sources. Here we go.

Vinnie was born on December 3, 1955, into a large Italian-American family, and grew up in a part of Little Italy, Manhattan, which is now known as Nolita. He and his immediate family all lived in the same apartment complex on Mott Street in the Lower East Side, not far from where GBGB would be.

In 1980 at the age of 25 Stigma helped form a new group with Diego on bass, Rob Krekus on drums and John Watson on vocals. Despite being billed at their first concert as the Zoo Crew, Stigma introduced them as Agnostic Front, saying that the poster had been made prior to deciding on the name.

Vinnie is the self-proclaimed “first New York punk”. That might just be true. He is one of New York’s first punk rockers. He grew up going to CBGB, Max’s Kansas City, and other pioneering clubs that became punk rock haunts. He was there in the beginning of the New York punk and hardcore scenes. Vinnie has said that he always believed that punk rock was something anyone could do. Anyone could start a band, play a show, and get out there.

"I'm glad hardcore is a brotherhood, it's a lifestyle." He continues, "It's like a dysfunctional family at times, but it's for real and we gotta keep it real."

Stigma started out his career with one of the first New York hardcore bands called the Eliminators, where he played bass. The group never recorded any original material however they played all over the U.S. but never gained a substantial following outside of their home state of New York. In 1980 he helped form Agnostic Front. Madball was founded in 1988 and featured most of Agnostic Front's members, Stigma on guitar. In 2008, Stigma started a namesake solo project and released his first album New York Blood. Agnostic Front is still playing and on tour now. To say the least. Vinnie Stigma has been there through it all.

Why did I choose Vinnie Stigma as the “Punk of the Month”? Well, he’s been there through all of it. He’s also an all-around good guy who believes in the scene and says he’ll never give it up. That means something. I wish I had more to add to this, something a bit more in depth or personal, but I don’t this is all Ive got.