Virgil Simpelo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Virgil, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Playing 80s songs in the car to my 7 year old son and hearing him hum them all day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Virgil and I am the lead singer of a tribute band called, Still ill: Tribute to the Smiths & Morrissey. I am also the sole-proprietor of the business and we are hitting our 20 year anniversary in 2026. We play the songs of the Smiths and Morrissey’s solo career at various venues locally in San Diego and out of town.
Our brand represents a genre of music that identified with a subculture of music lovers that moved parallel with alternative music. Initially coined as college radio, spawning from pirate radio recounted by our legendary San Diego 91X DJ, Steve West in the 1980s. The Smiths were a band from Manchester, England that consisted of Stephen Patrick Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass), and Mike Joyce (drums) from 1982-1987. Their music contrasted with mainstream pop music, where many of their songs expressed feelings of loneliness and sardonic humor that represented “ordinary people.” How Soon is Now, This Charming Man, and There is a Light That Never Goes Out were some of the many hit songs the Smiths are known for to this day.
Still ill’s purpose is to give audiences the experience of hearing the songs of the Smiths and Morrissey live and to share the connection to the music to fans, as fans.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I am on stage performing and the moment when the audience sings along with you, I feel truly at one with them. We all come from different backgrounds, but as we sing the lyrics together of such personal songs, we are all the same human beings who are profoundly affected by this music.
Wherever they were in time when these songs influenced them, I feel grateful that I could help them in some way to remember those times.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I was very introverted growing up and got bullied from time to time. I took solace in art and music, often listening to the Smiths and Morrissey as I drew or painted. I identified with the lyrics as someone who struggled with unrequited love or yearning to be heard. At some point, the music became ingrained in my mind and it gave me a certain confidence that I could rely on to always support me.
When the idea was flirted to me to sing in a Smiths tribute band, I knew to a point that I could somewhat sing and do it with the feeling that it came out of my soul. The obstacle that I would encounter in my head is if people would accept me.
After the first few gigs and getting more bookings, I started to feel accepted. I always approached these performances with humility and with a purpose of responsibility to the audience. I’ve been my authentic self on and off stage, not trying to take advantage of this “power” I was gifted.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
It is always important to be as faithful to the music and to be as professional as possible. There are many loose definitions on what professionalism is in entertainment, but I do not subscribe to the idea that things are just business when it means being dishonest or not fulfilling one’s end of the bargain.
Being professional is also understanding how to negotiate that 2 parties can come to a compromise that will benefit all in the long run. If one side cannot meet expectations, it’s even more important to be transparent when issues arise. In the case of bookings, one show will not make you or break you.
If your performance is solid and you put in the effort to promote, including elevating other bands you play with, long lasting relationships can form.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that people and our fans said they always remember having a good time at our shows. If they came to see Still ill play and go home happy, that’s all that matters to me.
Although it would be nice to have some recognition, I don’t need to be told we are the best or better than another band. I just want the fans and my home of San Diego know that we did it for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stillill.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stillill_smiths_moz_tribute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StillillSmithsMorrisseyTributeBand/
Image Credits
Mike Topete
