The band submit a track-by-track breakdown of their first full length effort and offer a glimpse inside their world as they begin the next era of Vended.
For a band typically characterized by their ferocity and an indulgence in intensity, Vended understood how patience was necessary to play the long game.
While the band first convened in its earliest stages back in 2018, it wasn't until 2020 that they introduced themselves properly. Rather than submitting something for the sake of getting on a stage, the band, even then, understood it was important get the balance right before sharing it with the world.
Vended's patience and composure, though less than typical, seemingly paid off. Understanding their stock from the jump allowed them to jockey for bigger stages in addition to the rite of passage, crammed-in-a-tour-van type shows. Taking on mainstage supporting gigs and festival plays all while still grinding it out on their own regional runs, Vended thrived in getting a unique education forged with grit and destined for glory.
Vended could have hit the stage in haste and figured it out as they went along - but didn't. As a result, Vended quickly made bigger strides and landed on the radar of heavy music's emerging class. They likely could have quickly dropped an LP then, but didn't. It's that kind of prudence that speaks to a level of maturity that underscores how Vended are years ahead of the game. In the end, a much more complete version of Vended is captured on record.
Building on the white-knuckle ride of their debut EP, What Is It/Kill It, Vended source various elements of heavy music on a debut album that tends to the details that make for an album with legs. Propelled by effective singles like “Nihilism”, “The Far Side” and “Am I the Only One”, Vended's prioritize substance over spectacle, making for an second introduction that will assuredly see the band level up once again - a wisely navigated second chance to make a much broader introduction.
Dropping their debut album on the eve of playing a hometown set as part of the KNOTFEST IOWA festivities, the disruptors from Des Moines are on the brink of achieving yet another breakout success - one achieved by the band on their own terms.
Diving into the details of the self-titled full length debut, the guys in Vended brokedown the 13-entry effort with liner notes that go track-by-track, revisiting the making of their pivotal next era and the kind of statement this album makes moving forward.
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"Intro"
We wanted something to start the record and set the tone immediately, straight into it with fucked up distorted noise that you can’t quite figure out until the next track hits you. It’s a precursor to the record as a whole.
"Paint The Skin"
This track was one of the last ones written for the record and it really stands as an anthem for our fans. The title “Paint the skin” stands for the connection between us and our fans. We love it when we’re at shows and see fans painted up like us. This song is about them, for them.
"The Far Side"
This is one of the most dynamic songs on the record, there’s moments where each member is playing something completely different and it all flows and works. It’s takes you through a journey and by the end of song it blows up in your face. Essentially you get every part of Vended wrapped into one song.
"Am I The Only One"
This track is about us not wanting mess up this opportunity to help people. We have this gift as a band to help fans with our music and impact lives, and this song is about not being the only one standing alone.
"Going Up"
This piggybacks off of the previous track. It’s something we did to push the boundaries of what Vended is, it’s a curveball that most fans would never expect. A jazz inspired snippet that shows the listener that there’s another side to us.
"Nihilism"
Nihilism is a straight barn burner. Gets right to the point and shows no mercy, recently we’ve been starting our live shows with it and the tone is set right as we step on the stage. Nothing held back, just straight fire.
"Pitiful"
Pitiful is a stomp song, with a slower tempo it almost has a marching thumping pace. We made the track as a constant pace almost anthemic, it marches along and is unforgiving.
"Serenity"
This track is about being in a depressive state and wanting to just isolate. But while in that trying to work to be better and pull yourself out of that hole no matter the circumstances you’re faced with.
"Disparager"
The theme of this song has flipped and changed many times throughout the writing process but in the end it’s how Journalism is done nowadays, where everyone is just doing things for views and clicks and that’s all they care about. Not getting the right information. Within the music industry and outside as well.
"Where the Honesty Lies"
This one is about growing up and realizing some people that you looked up to, a lot of the times don’t have your best interest at heart. Everyone’s got an agenda. Everyone’s got something that they want to fucking say to you. Everyone wants a piece of something. And growing up reveals intentions. On the contrary it’s about trying YOUR best to be what you can, and handling what YOU can control.
"Ones"
This is the second interlude its the first of a 3 song series. Ones - Downfall - As we know it. The translation between the full record and the finale of the album. It does its job and sets the environment for the finish.
"Downfall"
This song has absolutely no structure, no part is played the same twice. Nothing is repeated, there’s no grid or pattern to the track. Each section is different from the last. We also put a drum solo in the middle of the song, extremely uncommon to see nowadays so we had to throw people one last curveball. It sets the finishing attitude for the album and keeps it short and to the point.
"As We Know It"
As we know it is the final song of the album, it’s the finale as well as the “Welcome” to our career. This track transitions seamlessly from the previous track and only has 4 lines of lyrics. “ Welcome to the world as we know it. Everyone seems caught in their moment. Welcome to the world as I know it. I couldn’t make my own so I wrote it. ” Those lyrics mean that we couldn’t find what we were looking for in anything else, so we took it into our OWN hands to write it.
Put simply, we’re fucking here. We’ve arrived to this world. Welcome.
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The self-titled full length debut from Vended is now available - HERE
Catch Vended live as the band hit the road for a run of dates that include headlining club plays, arena supporting dates with Slipknot, KORN and festival appearances at Knotfest Iowa and Aftershock.
See the complete list of tour dates for Vended below. Get tickets - HERE
VENDED TOUR DATES
Sep 21 - Des Moines, IA - Knotfest (FESTIVAL) Sep 22 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Sep 23 - Detroit, MI - El Club (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Sep 24 - Pittsburgh, PA - Crafthouse (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Sep 26 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Sep 27 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Sep 28 - Greenville, SC - Radio Room (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Sep 29 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Altar) (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Sep 30 - Nashville, TN - The End (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Oct 2 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Oct 5 - Los Angeles, CA - BMO Stadium (w/KORN) Oct 6 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Oct 7 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Oct 9 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Atrium (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Oct 10 - Reno, NV - Cypress (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Oct 11 - Sacramento, CA - Aftershock (FESTIVAL) Oct 14 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE) Oct 16 - Denver, CO - Marquis (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
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