When Behind the Grey’s vocalist Eric Katchmore could no longer practice, tour or perform due to his battle with cancer, the band was faced with a dilemma. After learning about their brother-through-music’s illness in April and holding a benefit concert in June, the band had to make a decision to either end what they started or continue forward. Instead of packing it in, the four other members decided to soldier on with Swoyersville-based vocalist Dom Vito as their new mouthpiece.

“It was definitely kind of intimidating at first,” Vito said. “I always looked up to Eric as a vocalist, but I wasn’t too anxious because I had known these guys for quite some time and had always been a fan of their music.”

Behind the Grey drummer, Mike Bonitwicz. and the band’s other members, guitarists Will Perna and Daniel McDonald and bassist Steve Saypack, were unknowingly auditioning Vito for years as they watched him perform in the local music scene. When it came time to choose a new frontman, the choice seemed natural.

“I’ve been playing shows around since 2005 so I’ve known his stage presence and mannerisms pretty much as long as I’ve known him,” Bonitwicz said.

On July 23, the new-look Scranton metal band played their first show in Winchester, Virginia, at a venue called The Blue Fox. Perna said he has no notes for his band’s new vocalist.

“He nailed it,” Perna said. “He has been such a family member to this band that we all felt so comfortable together and he was just a perfect fit for the band energy-wise, stage presence-wise and just vocal overall. It just feels like we’re kind of picking up from where we left off more than a change.”

The band is working back up to its usual frequency of live performances with an Aug. 5 show in Waynesboro, followed by an Aug. 19 performance in Poughkeepsie, New York. Music fans in Northeastern Pennsylvania can catch the new-yet-familiar Behind the Grey Sept. 16, at The V Spot during the Electric City Music Conference.

New vocalist Dom Vito (middle) with Behind the Grey. The band will play Sept. 16 at The V Spot in Scranton as part of Electric City Music Conference.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1__MG_1396.jpgNew vocalist Dom Vito (middle) with Behind the Grey. The band will play Sept. 16 at The V Spot in Scranton as part of Electric City Music Conference.
Swoyersville resident takes over vocal duties for the five-piece metal band

By Gene Axton

gaxton@timesleader.com

Reach Gene Axton at 570-991-6121 or on Twitter @TLArts