Vain (band)
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Vain | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Francisco, California, US |
| Genres | Glam metal |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | Island |
| Members | Davy Vain Jamie Scott Danny West Ashley Mitchell Louie Senor |
| Past members | Tom Rickard Danny Fury |
Vain are a glam metal band formed in the San Francisco bay area in 1986, during the last wave of the Glam Metal era, when the area's main musical export was thrash metal. Formed by vocalist and main songwriter Davy Vain, Vain were signed to Island Records, who released their debut album No Respect in 1989. The band also embarked on a European Tour in support of Skid Row.
1980s
Vain was formed in Santa Rosa, California in the mid-late 1980s. The band relocated to San Francisco and began playing local clubs, opening for other hard rock bands like Guns N' Roses. They signed with Island Records, who released their debut, No Respect in 1989. The record was produced by Paul Northfield, who had previously worked with progressive rock band Rush. Davy Vain co-produced. The debut single and accompanying video Beat the Bullet was a minor hit, providing the band the opportunity to support Skid Row on a European tour.
1990s
In 1991, Island Records released Vain from their contract before the band could release their second studio album All Those Strangers.
West and Rickard left the band in late 1991. Guitarist Shawn Rorie and former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler joined the band, which was re-named Roadcrew. The band quickly fell apart due to Adler's drug habit(s), but many of the Roadcrew songs can be found on later Vain releases.
In 1993, the classic Vain lineup, minus Rickard, got back together to release Move On It, a Japan-only release. Louie Senor joined the band, becoming their permanent drummer, and the band released Fade. Both albums showed maturity and growth from the debut, and were critically well-received.
Solo careers
Guitarist Danny West released a solo album in 1995 called Taste the Sounds on Geron Records. The album was a Japan-only release. He also fronted a power pop band in the late 1990s called The Pimps of Venus.
2000s
In 2000 Davy Vain released a solo album called In From Out of Nowhere, and also found work as a record producer. He had earlier helped produce thrash metal band Death Angel's debut album in 1987. He later helped as an engineer on Christina Aguilera's Stripped Album.
In 2005, Vain had something of a revival when Gott Discs re-released the band's debut album No Respect worldwide in January of that year. The band also recorded a new album, entitled On the Line which received critical acclaim. A UK tour in 2005 proved immensely successful, and one show was awarded the maximum KKKKK rating by Steve Beebee from British metal magazine Kerrang!. The band toured again in 2006. In summer 2008 Vain played at the 2nd annual 1980s rock festival, Rocklahoma.
As of December 2009, Davy Vain has made available copies of the unreleased album All Those Strangers at Vain gigs released on his own record label Jackie Rainbow Records. A limited number of copies of the album are also available via German retailer MusicBuyMail.eu.[1]
On October 26, 2011 Vain released the album Enough Rope. The Japanese pressing of the album contains the exclusive bonus track "Walk Away". A limited two-disc Japanese edition was also released that includes the full All Those Strangers album. [2]
Line-up
- Davy Vain – vocals
- Jamie Scott – guitar
- Danny West – guitar
- Ashley Mitchell – bass
- Louie Senor – drums
- Former members
- Tom Rickard – drums
- Danny Fury – drums
Discography
- No Respect (1989)
- All Those Strangers (1991)
- Move On It (1994)
- Fade (1995)
- On The Line (2005)
- Enough Rope (2011)