Pittsburgh Indie Rock
A guitar at ten years old opened the door. Recording gear made Bobby Dugan want to understand what happened behind it. The Vics grew from that curiosity into a band driven by craft, live energy and the instinct to keep playing.
The Vics sit between modern indie rock and classic blues, carrying the kind of contagious energy that makes the stage their strongest promotional tool. For guitarist and vocalist Bobby Dugan, that energy traces back to Erie, Pennsylvania, and an uncle who arrived with both an electric guitar and the recording equipment that sparked a lasting fascination.
Exposed Vocals caught up with Bobby Dugan to talk about learning theory, handling mistakes without losing the song, recording at Pittsburgh’s Tonic Recording Studios, and why The Beatles remain the impossible dream bill.
“A mistake can be a major distraction that snowballs if the performer dwells on it. Just keep playing through the tune.”
Bobby Dugan, in his own words
Where did your story with music begin?
I grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. My uncle gave me an electric guitar and amp when I was about ten. Later visits came with recording gear, and I became fascinated with the process—the idea that one day I could make music like my favorite artists.
What advice would you give a smaller band looking for gigs and airplay?
Practice and learn your instrument as well as you can. Theory matters, too. If you focus on the music and songwriting, the gigs and airplay will follow.
How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
They happen all the time. The best response is not to dwell on them—keep playing through the tune. If you fixate on one mistake, it can become a distraction that snowballs.
What is the band’s studio home?
We recorded at Tonic Recording Studios in Pittsburgh. I’m also part of the team there, and we are always watching for the latest gear and better ways to capture what the band does.
What has worked best for promoting The Vics?
Live performances have been our biggest form of promotion. Radio play has also been an important success for us.
If you could perform with anyone, who would it be?
The Beatles. I love them, and honestly, I would be ecstatic just to see them play.
What keeps the band moving forward?
We are always writing and looking toward the next studio session, the next release and the next run of shows. The goal is to keep creating and keep moving.
For The Vics, progress is less about chasing a perfect moment than refusing to let one imperfect moment take over. Dugan’s advice works as both performance philosophy and career strategy: know the craft, stay inside the song, and keep playing forward.
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