VPM PRODUCTIONS

With his love for heavy duty rock & roll music Les has been playing guitar for over 24 years and prides himself on “screaming guitar leads” with his own style even in songs where a guitar lead may not exist! Les is well known in the northwest Indiana circuit playing in rock bands such as “Strider” and “Street Level” to name a few and opening for Styx, Ted Nugent Steppenwolf, Survivor, Tantrum and the Boyzz. Les’s dedication and love for performing is without a doubt what the meaning of being a true musician is all about!

“BIG JOHN” BERICH: Bass guitar, vocals, and sound tech. (Gary) With a name like “Big-John” and who is 6 foot 7, last checked, can play the bass guitar like nobody’s business and when you meet John he truly is the gentle giant. John has performed all over northwest Indiana playing extended engagements at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville with the popular band “Duchess”. John later on hooked up with Les in the band “Strider”. John also laid down all the studio work for “Second Childhood” who’s CD was voted #2 in NW Indiana in 2004. In addition to his bass playing John takes on the role of our sound man making sure the entire bands sound is balanced through the killer sound system we have.

MICHELLE POPOVICH: Lead Vocals, backup vocals, percussion. (Valparaiso) Her initial love is singing soprano in the Serbian Orthodox church choir for many years. Within the last couple of years Michelle’s wide range and creative voice style, from a soprano to a raspy baritone can be compared to a Linda Ronstadt / Donna Summer / Patti Smyth & Janis Joplin all rolled into one. Michelle’s dedication, awesome vocals, blend of harmonies, her stage presence confidence and high energy makes this band complete!

HERB BROKOP: Keyboards and more keyboards. (Lansing, IL.)Herb’s love for music began at age 9 where he began taking piano lessons. Herb started his first rock band at 14. Once in college Herb formed “Tripps Company” a ten-piece band based out of Alsip. They were very popular playing throughout most of the Midwest for many years. Later on the band began writing and recording original material and changed their name to “Crossfire”. Crossfire became a very popular band in the Chicago area, which resulted in them being an opening act for many big name bands. Herb has been coaxed out of retirement to play with us and those fingers on the eighty-eights are still smoking!

VINCE “VINKO” MANCICH: Drums, Lead and backup vocals. (Highland) Vince began playing drums at age 12 and also enjoyed singing as he performed in the high school and church choirs. Being from the region Vince was influenced by the Motown sound, but artists such as Grand Funk and Jimi Hendrix also played an important role in his style of drumming. Out west Vince toured from 1973 to 1976 with “Easy Nights” playing top-40 & disco tunes throughout the Midwest. Vince also has a passion for playing Serbian music and has been playing in a Serbian band off and on for the past 35 years. Meeting up with Big-John in the studios in 2004 Vince laid down the tracks for the “Second-Childhood” CD and from there they put together this current band with “Shade-City”!