Multiply an overly energetic front man, two local Jersey band favorites on guitar, a solid bass sound, concrete drums and, last but not least, vinyl-clad backup girls and what do you get?

Big Bang Baby!

New in the fall of 2002 came Big Bang Baby. Culminating talents from both former cover bands and original bands, Big Bang Baby came out swinging and hasn't stopped.

This huge seven-piece band is fronted by former Wallbangers' leader Paul Mocci, and former members of Love Lies Bleeding and Mars Needs Women. The vision of Big Bang Baby is to stir up the scene by giving club audiences a concert-worthy stage show with a set list different than most other bands out there. Adding songs like "Push It," by Salt-N-Pepa, and "Cowboy," by Kid Rock shows you why Big Bang Baby is categorized as a dissimilar type of cover band. And, they like it that way.

Big Bang Baby includes two female back-up singers, something relatively unknown in today's cover band world. With the addition of the backup girls, the band is vocally able to cover a wider range of music. The girls control the higher-end vocals and flawlessly harmonize with the band. And, let's face it, they look pretty good, too.

Big Bang Baby's rendition of Motley Crue's "Girls, Girls, Girls" is all too apropos with the stage fanatics they deliver. With blinding lights and feverish energy, this band attracts the attention of everyone in the club's radius. Even if you're not there specifically to see the band, you're going to anyway. Their energetic vibe is gripping.

Audiences are in the palm of their hand by the third song of the first set. Screaming bar-goers on the dance floor are overly excited to sing along with Paul or the guitarists, PJ and Shawn, when they take the lead. Big Bang Baby covers a wider range of music because they have so many different voices capable of leading their show.

Paul takes front and center for most of the night. PJ jumps on vocals for Run DMC's "It's Tricky" and Kid Rock's "Cowboy," while Shawn takes the lead for the Hive's "Get Free" and Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up The Sun" (yes, Sheryl Crow). The girls in the back kick off the Motley Crue tune as well as Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy." Their set list is broad and defies categorization, and they've only just gotten started.

There is no specific format, no premeditated practiced antics.  Each night it's different. Big Bang Baby thrives on the power of the crowd, whose favorite so far seems to be Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer." Then again, in Jersey, would we expect any less?

Chorus and Verse caught up with full-of-life front man Paul Mocci for the skinny on the up-and-coming Big Bang Baby.

How did you all come together to form Big Bang Baby?

The band was a focused effort to put together a group that could do just about anything. Our management company searched throughout the tri-state area for the most talented, diverse musicians.

Each Big Bang Baby member seems to be from another band. What other bands were you in and how does it influence Big Bang Baby?

Although the band features members of many area acts, Big Bang Baby is a truly original act, and doesn't really emulate anything any of us have done in the past.

As a relatively new band on the NJ scene and with such statewide cover band competition, how do you intend to rank among the best?

Big Bang Baby intends on dominating any market we approach with a huge stage show, great musicians and a winning attitude.

What makes Big Bang Baby different than all the other cover bands out there?

Unique song selection is the key to a popular cover band. The only place you will hear some of this music is at a BBB show.

Big Bang Baby doesn't seem to have a particularly categorized set list. How do you decide which songs to cover?

The only common thread is that people have to be able to shake their butt to our music!

How does the inclusion of the back-up singer's help in determining the set list?

Vocally we can do much more than most bands with the arsenal of great voices in the band.

What's the favorite song you cover? What's the crowd favorite?

"Livin' On a Prayer" and "Push It" kill every night.

What types of music do you listen to other than what you cover?

We are all big fans of the new Amish Reggae movement going on.

If any, which other NJ cover bands inspire you?

Saturday Nite Fever and the Nerds are the best show bands around.

What should we expect from Big Bang Baby by the end of the year?

East Coast domination, a few bar fights, lots of people dancing, resulting in countless sexual encounters, and a hell of a fun time. See you at the shows!

[ Website: www.bigbangbaby.com ]